News archive
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News archive |
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Christmas at St Paul's The people of St Paul's spent a quiet Christmas at the end 2007. Attendance was lower than usual but those that came to the services found them all contemplative and moving. St Paul's people were particularly saddened to hear about the sudden death of one of their friends. Ted was well liked, respected and always had a kind word for everyone. He will be sadly missed, but St Paul's people know he is now with the Saints in Heaven. St Paul's shoe box appeal
"Operation Christmas Child is the world's largest children's Christmas project. In 2006 we sent 1.24 million shoe boxes from the UK to children in hospitals, orphanages, internally Displaced Persons camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods." Quote from the publicity of Samaritan's Purse. The total number of shoe boxes filled and sent was 63. St Paul's people are very pleased with this effort. Breakfast Service a big hit for the birds
A good number of the people of St Paul's enjoyed an unusual breakfast service on 25th November. The guest speaker from the RSPB, Chris Pattinson, gave an interesting talk with slides about birds native to the British Isles and the problems they now encounter with the changes in the environment, farming and fishing. The service, led by one of St Paul's readers, Jenny Holmes, was based around the theme of birds, starting with a bible quotation from Isaiah "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles". The songs, which were based on God's creation, included; O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder, Living under the shadow of His wing, Lord I come to you, and finished with, You shall go out with joy. Special thanks to the ladies of St Paul's for providing a full English!!! Vicar has now moved on The Reverend Tony Sophianou, Vicar of St Paul's for the past three and a half years, celebrated his final Sunday service at St Paul's on 2nd September; he has now been inducted as Vicar of Goole. Meanwhile St Paul's awaits the appointment of a new vicar. The final service was a Praise and Thanksgiving for the Church in Wheatley and was attended by members of the four churches in the area. St Paul's week-end away at
Scargill
A group of 25 parishioners recently spent a weekend away at Scargill House, in the stunning surroundings of North Yorkshire. The weekend has become a regular event in St Paul's calendar and enables a strengthening of the fellowship during an extended get together in surroundings away from the parish.
Staff' grows at St Paul's
Church reps help push Open Doors
New facilities at St Paul's as a multi-purpose building and place of Worship At long last the work on the kitchen facilities at
St Paul's has nearly finished. This work has helped to created a new male toilet
together with new cupboards and better cooking facilities. The work has cost around £5,000 and
was
being funded by a grant from The Church and Community Fund. The extension was needed to meet the
increasing mission needs of the church, which included catering for large groups
and teaching healthy eating to young people and adults in the community.
Robert Newton was admitted to the office of Lay Reader by the Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Rev'd Cyril Ashton, at a special service in Doncaster Minster on 23rd September 2006; he was licensed on the following day at his home church of St Paul's Wheatley Park. Meanwhile Bob is to continue with funerals whilst we are in Interregnum and, together with his wife, Pat, develop and co-ordinate some of the new projects being planned in the parish.
Bob Newton (left) examines his licence to the office of Reader in the Church of England, presented to him by the Vicar of St Paul's, Tony Sophianou
The PCC of St Paul's has nominated ‘The Charter Project’ as its nominated charity for the first quarter of 2006. The project is trying to raise funds to buy and install play equipment for disabled children in Grove Gardens, close to Doncaster Royal Infirmary on Armthorpe Road, Doncaster. A total of around £15,000 is being sought.
Church attacked by thieves
St Paul's was the latest church in Wheatley to be targeted by thieves recently. The intruders broke into the building and stole copper and lead piping, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage as a consequence. Four other churches in the area have been attacked in recent weeks, with thieves taking metal to sell for scrap.
"Money that was being collected to improve the facilities for the benefit of the whole community of Wheatley Park is now having to be diverted to repairing the damage and to making the building more secure," says Vicar, Tony Sophianou. "Planned social projects and services will now have to be put on hold until we can get the building fully operational and other funding is put in place, which is a shame for the whole community here." ▲Top ST PAUL'S TO HOST DAY CONFERENCE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS A special day conference aimed at residents of Wheatley is to be held at St Paul’s Wednesday, 29th March 2006. The conference, which is being jointly sponsored by the Church and Wheatley Area Community Partnership (WACUP), will comprise two sessions, the first led by a legal expert from National Legal Services, will include advice on issues such as making a will, Power of Attorney, things to know about moving into a retirement or nursing home, and other issues. After a free lunch for those attending, officers from the South Yorkshire Police force will give advice on keeping safe in the home. According to the Vicar, the Reverend Tony Sophianou: "We hope this will be the first of many such events which will feature topics relevant to the residents of Wheatley, for example, children's and family issues. We are very grateful to WACUP for their support and for agreeing to fund food and refreshments." Further information is available from WACUP on 01302 364583. ▲Top BUILDING WORKS UPDATE St Paul's has received grants totalling £10,000 from The Pioneer Areas Community Chest and the Single Community Programme Small Grants fund towards the cost of upgrading the heating system at St Paul's. The new heating system will provide a more efficient and flexible method of heating the Centre, allowing more people to access the facilities during the winter months. It is hoped to complete the work on the new system by the end of March. See architect's plan here. ▲Top EVENING SERVICES RETIMED The Parochial Church Council has agreed that, as from Sunday, December 4th, evening services at St Paul's will begin at 6 pm instead of 6.30 pm. The situation will be reviewed again in the Spring of next year. ▲Top
St Paul's Church has received a Faculty to go ahead with a wide range of work with the aims of:
b) creating a more modern facility; The works include: a) Removal of fencing from around the site and the inclusion of soft landscaping, incorporating fixed seating. New entrances to be created and tarmac paths laid.b) Introduction of a children’s playground. c) Remodelling of he main church entrance to create an area for disabled people to park motorised wheelchairs and to add a pitched roof above the entrance. d) Creation of a new entrance into the common areas of the building.e) Addition of a pitched roof to the rear of the building.
f) Replacement of all windows and frames. Please pray for us as we seek to raise funds for the above.
▲Top
Pat joins St Paul's team Pat Newton was licensed as a Pastoral Worker at Sheffield
Cathedral on 24th September 2005 by the Bishop of Doncaster. She now joins the
team of St Paul's and will initially concentrate on developing programmes and
strategies for the Parish's work with the elderly.
Pat Newton
receives her licence from the
WHEATLEY PEOPLE SAY ‘YES’ TO GOD
An
ecumenical Pentecost mission at Wheatley in Doncaster has resulted in 60
people saying ‘Yes’ to God and scores of others rededicating
themselves. The mission, entitled ‘Good God?’, was run by Wheatley Churches Together, comprising St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Wheatley Park Baptist Church, and the two Anglican churches – St Mary’s and St Paul’s – and was led by international evangelist, Ian Knox, of the 40:3 Trust. The mission comprised a series of events for all ages, each of which included a targeted message from Ian Knox. “The results are most encouraging,” says Rev’d Mark Tanner, Vicar of St Mary’s. “We estimate that more than 400 people heard the Gospel message over Pentecost weekend, and not only did so many of the newcomers respond positively to the message of a Good God who loves them, but the mission also brought the four churches here even closer together. We are now commencing the follow-up, with courses and personal contact, and we hope that the experience gained will enable the Church in Wheatley to move forward with greater unity and confidence.” ▲Top |
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St
Paul's has now filled over 60 shoe boxes for the
yearly Operation Christmas Child organised by
Mrs
Tracey Leigh is to join the Ministry Team at St Paul's as a third Pastoral
Worker. Tracey, who has begun her two year training at the Church Army College in
Sheffield, has been a member of St Paul's for more than two years,
and will bring a keen sense of care for others and a wonderful gift of
listening.
Two
ladies from St Paul's Church congregation - Pat Newton and Beryl Seale - were
recently featured in the July edition of Frontline, the monthly magazine
of the charity Open Doors. Pat and Beryl (pictured) share the role of church
representative in the parish for the charity, which seeks to serve persecuted
Christians worldwide. Pat does much of the upfront promotional work, while Beryl
focuses on writing letters to Christians who are facing hardship because of
their faith. Beryl has suffered with multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years
and when she first heard about Christians who suffered for their faith she felt
sorry for them; then she said to herself "feeling sorry is not enough; I have to
do something". Her illness made it impossible for her to be a Bible courier or
join a ministry trip overseas, but she could write letters! Now she writes at
least one letter or card a day, sometimes more, depending on how she is feeling.
Her record is six in one day! She says "It's a wonderful privilege for me to do
what I can, and write to those who are suffering for their
faith". 
