Barnstaple Church Parish of Sticklepath with Roundswell(St.Paul's).

letting ideas take flight   

CHURCH

Together, changing lives for good!

we are still working on this pageChurch is not about buildings but people, something that many often lose sight of. A shared spiritual understanding often draws together people of very different backgrounds and ideas. Sometimes that difference has led sadly to the group dividing, but most of the Church worldwide still retains the belief that we are one family united in Jesus Christ. On these pages you will find out a little about how the church at St.Paul's came into being, and the various parts of the Church family that we belong to.

Come exploring with us...

To the left is a test video clip, soon to be replaced by interviews, video clips or links.

You will need a broadband connection to view it when it is finished. Once available you will be able to click on the picture to load the clip and use the controls which will also appear.



Blog: The Vicar Writes & this month's diary

 

 

 

 

 

Just writing something to test out the leftbox feature and find out if the text wraps and what is does if anything to the pictures below or above it.

Why go to church these days?

Church-going has declined a lot from the numbers that used to attend, simply because lots of people HAD to go, or be fined a shilling (5p used to buy a lot in 1559!). The money was used to help the poor of the parish, a role the state did not share until fairly modern times. The legislation was only repealed in 1969 though the shillings were not collected! It was never very effective in persuading people to come to church. Rebellion against historic compulsion or perceived social pressure, can mask the benefit of exploring and living the Christian faith in the company of others. Church gatherings are (in most, but not all places) far less stuffy or pompous than it used to be and as well as the friendship and joy that people find, church is still a place of peace and hope when nothing else provides the answers they are looked for to some of life's big questions.

Elizabeth I's attempt to unite the people in one faith under the Church of England was more to do with politics than concern for the nation's morals, but she kept some of the wording of brother Edward VI's act, stating: "a great number of people in divers parts of this realm, following their own sensuality, and living either without knowledge or due fear of God, do wilfully and damnably before Almighty God abstain and refuse to come to their parish churches..." Well we don't put it quite that strongly, but we do encourage you to come!

Faith has the power to inspire and unite people, it is a force for good in the world, but if man-made religion takes over, many are offered a poor immitation of what it means to belong to a church. We're not perfect, but we hope if you come and join in exploring faith at St.Paul's, you will find others who like you value love, honesty, respect, care and the precious value of every human life with all its potential for good.

This website contains some JavaScript effects and runs QuickTime video clips. If your browser does not support JavaScript, or QuickTime, free downloads are available on the internet.Just type the name of what what you are looking for into search space on the menu bars at the top of the screen.

If you want a different sized text on the screen use the View and then Text options in the menu bar of your browser.