Advent and Christmas

25th December 2024

The festive season kicked off with the return of the ‘Breakfast with the Bible’ for this Advent. With teas, coffees, and toast in hand, members of the congregation discussed the Sunday Gospel reading with Father Neil and Revd Laura. It was a great way to start a Sunday morning, and prepare for Christmas!

Of course, we also had our ‘Wine and Wisdom’ Christmas Quiz on Saturday 7th December, filled with questions, conversation and refreshments (including wine!). This was followed by our Christmas Coffee & Craft Morning with raffle where a range of craft activities suitable for all ages were beautifully made. Some were taken on the day, but many were left at Church on our peace tree to be displayed and picked up on Christmas Eve after our Family Crib Service at 3 pm.

We were also delighted to welcome 3 schools and the Sea Scouts from the Parish for their Nativity and Christmas Performances this year.

It was also great to see so many at our Christmas services, starting with our Carols by Candlelight service on Friday 20th December, which continued the festive spirit with a beautifully decorated and lit church. On Christmas Eve, we had our Family Crib Service, where we retold the Christmas Story with a live reenactment; and our Midnight Mass where we welcomed the birth of Christ in the early hours of Christmas Day. The celebrations continued with our Family Eucharist at 10 am today on Christmas Day.

Thank you to all those who helped us to make this Christmas season special this year. To see more of our Christmas celebrations check out the photos below.

From all the ministry team and the PCC of Paignton Parish, may we wish you, and all those whom you love and care for, a most joyful, peaceful and prosperous Christmas season, with every blessing for 2025 and safe travels for those visiting family and friends.

Harvest ThanksGiving Serivce

The Parish of Paignton celebrated Harvest this Sunday with a Harvest Thanksgiving Service at St John’s.

Today, the Parish came together at St John’s to celebrate harvest with a thanksgiving service. During the service, members of the congregation had the opportunity to bring up food items, which will be donated to the Paignton Food Larder.

To celebrate harvest, the church was also filled with beautiful harvest-themed flower displays created by the flower arranging team, which provided an excellent atmosphere and space of worship for the Harvest Thanksgiving.

If you would like to join our Flower arranging team, please get in touch with the Parish Office.

Summer has begun! summer fayre at the parish

22.06.24

On Saturday 22nd June we had our Summer Fayre, 11 am to 3 pm in the Vicarage Garden. Supported by the good weather, the event was a great success starting with the bell ringing at 11 am. The event included various stalls, activities and games, such as toys, plants, books, and craft stalls run by local people. Games and activities include the golf game, whack-a-rat, an egg and spoon race, tug of war, and throwing wet sponges at people in the stocks, which is always a favourite! There was also a range of food and drink available throughout the day including hot dogs and burgers from the BBQ and ice cream, a great way to celebrate the summer season!

It was great to see so many people attend the event, and a big thank you to everyone who made last week’s Summer Fayre a wonderful event, it would not be possible without your support! We raised just over £1,700 before costs for the parish funds which is fantastic and we hope everyone enjoyed this event as much as we did!

To see more check out the photos below!

churchwarden, John, receives the order of st boniface

9.06.24

On Sunday 9th June, our Churchwarden John received the order of St Boniface, an award which honours people from the Church who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Church in Devon. John has worked tirelessly for the Parish as churchwarden over the last few years and we are grateful for all his hard work and dedication in supporting the church and the community. It was great to celebrate his achievement of joining the company of St Boniface at a service in Exeter Cathedral. Very well deserved!

31.03.24

Alleluia! He is Risen – Holy Week and Easter at the Parish of Paignton

This year, the Parish of Paignton held a range of services for Holy week and Easter, starting with Compline and Reflection services from Monday to Wednesday, followed by a Maundy Thursday service and the watch.

On Good Friday, the Parish of Paignton united with other churches in the Paignton Church family for a Good Friday Service at 10:30 am in Palace Avenue Gardens, followed by the Last Hour service in the afternoon. To End Holy week, the Easter Vigil, Service of Light and the first Eucharist of Easter was held on Saturday evening.

Easter Sunday started extra early this year with the clocks going back. Starting at 6:15 am at Paignton Beach, the Parish celebrated the risen Lord with a dawn service, continued with breakfast at the Coverdale Centre providing fellowship and celebration. The Easter Sunday then continued with services at both St John’s and St Boniface to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and life everlasting.

It was great to see so many people at the events and services this year in the Parish and a big thank you to all of those who helped us make this Easter season special this year. To see more of our Easter and Holy Week services and events check out the photos below.

16th March 2024

From  Paignton to Jerusalem – 2,936 miles complete and £7,000 raised!

The final parish walk, a cream tea – now that’s what I call a celebratory finish!

On Saturday 16th March, the parish came together to continue to raise funds for our Give to Go Green Project with the third and final parish walk and a cream tea celebration (see photos below). A definite welcome sight for those who had participated in the walk!

During the cream tea, the miles were added up and it was revealed that we had completed the virtual walk of 2,936 miles to reach Jerusalem. A huge congratulations and thank you to those who took part by walking, cycling and/or swimming… We did it!

Thank you also to those who sponsored, donated and joined us at one or more of our many events. We couldn’t have completed our challenges and fund raising goal without your support!

For more information on the project, the walks and events, please visit: https://paigntonparishchurch.com/give-to-go-green

9th March 2024

Give to go Green Quiz Night!

It was great to see so many people join us on Saturday 9th March for our  ‘wine and wisdom’ quiz night in aid of our Give to Go Green Project. Keeping to the green theme, we had questions ranging from people, places and food to the environment as well as some classic potluck questions…. Everyone not only had fun, but also learnt something new, like did you know that out of all the water on Earth, less than 1% water is available for human use?

Thank you to everyone who supported and attended the event, we raised over £450. For more details on the project including our last Parish Walk and Cream Tea event, please visit the Give to Go Green webpage.

If you would like to donate and support us, you can do so here: https://givealittle.co/c/1O5uo0QVHfMmPxl4pOYWjf

2nd March 2024

Give to Go Green Parish Walk 2 - What another great adventure!

On Saturday, we headed out on our second parish walk around Galmpton and Greenway as part of the Parish Pilgrimage to virtually reach the Holy Land by walking/cycling/swimming 2,936 miles for our Give to Go Green Project.

Starting at Windy Corner into Galmpton and down to the creek, up and around Greenway for some incredible views, and then back to Galmpton, and up to conclude back at Windy Corner. Although a little muddy and starting with the occasional rain shower, it was great to see so many people join us on the adventure!

To see more of the adventure, see the photos below, and if you are interested – why not join us for our final walk on Saturday 16th March, which will be followed by a Cream Tea to celebrate?

For more details on the project and our events including our Quiz Night this Saturday at 7:30 pm, please visit the Give to Go Green webpage.

If you would like to donate and support us, you can do so here: https://givealittle.co/c/1O5uo0QVHfMmPxl4pOYWjf

24th February 2024

Give to Go Green Project - First Walk Complete!

Today was the first of our parish walks as we aim to virtually reach the Holy Land by walking/cycling/swimming 2,936 miles to raise funds for our Give to Go Green Project. Starting at Paignton Parish Church, we walked down to Paignton Beach, through Hollicombe woods, to Occombe Farm, and then back down to church – a good several miles!

It was a great day out, enjoying the amazing natural landscape of Torbay (see photos below if you don’t believe us!), and thank you to all who joined us or gave us a thought or prayer for the first walk.

We will be undertaking two more walks as well as holding a Quiz night and a Cream Tea celebration (more details on the events can be found on the Give to Go Green webpage.

Additionally, if you would like to support us by donating, please visit: https://givealittle.co/c/1O5uo0QVHfMmPxl4pOYWjf