St Paul's - Parish Groups

Below are a listing of the groups within the parish together with a brief description of their activities and contact no. - from the prayerful to the practical to the relaxing - there's something for everyone

To find out any more about these groups please contact Canon Stratton on 872606. The people named as contacts for each group should also be contacted via Canon Stratton.

Altar Linen
Contact Hilary Jarvis

Altar Servers
A group of boys and girls, young men and young women who serve at our Masses. They are dedicated and reliable. New servers are welcome and full training is provided. Contact Gerard Turnbull  

Brownies
Contact Julie Johnson

The Catenian Association 
A brotherhood of Catholic business and professional men, organised in local branches or circles. The name comes from the latin word for chain - catena - and each circle forms a link in the chain.The Ringway and Wilmslow Circles draw their members from all the local parishes. The main aim is simply to encourage members to meet socially in a spirit of Catholic fellowship. There is no hidden agenda and it is not a secret society. It has the full support of the clergy. Contact Tom Ball 

Church Cleaning
There is a rota of church cleaners who week by week do this very necessary but largely unsung job. Help is always needed. Contact  Monica McDonnell 

Children's Liturgy Group
A group of volunteers who provide the liturgy of the Word adapted for children. There is an infants 'little church' in the presbytery and a group for up to Communion age children in the Upper Room.
They hear a simplified Gospel with a simple message and do an activity around it to make a gift to bring up at the offertory, returning to their parents for the Eucharist. Contact Catherine Howard

The Confirmation Group
Contact Anthony Redman or Eleanor Neely 

Cub Scouts
John Hogan

Eucharistic Ministers
These ministers are appointed by the Bishop on the recommendation of the parish priest to provide help when it is required in the administration of Holy Communion both in church and to the sick at home. Contact Canon Stratton

Flower Arranging
Contact Pat Broadbent

Justice and Peace
This support a number of activities on an occasional basis - including Challenge 2000 (Cafod), Emmaus, Christian Aid, Fairtrade, Cards for Prisoners of Conscience and cancelling of World Debt.
Christian Aid - over the last 30 years, volunteer collectors from St Paul's have carried out a parish share of the annual  Christian Aid Week house-to-house collection in Poynton every May. This is done as part of our contribution to Churches Together in Poynton activities and in the light of the parish commitment to Justice and Peace initiatives.  This collection is the major source of funding for Christian Aid's essential work in attempting to address the enormous needs of the poorest of the world's people, particularly those in developing countries.
Fairtrade - For several years members of the parish have been promoting Fairtrade issues and, in particular, products which carry the Fairtrade Mark. Displays and information have been available in the church, especially during Fairtrade Fortnight every March, so that parishioners and others can make informed choices when buying such products as tea, coffee, cocoa, honey chocolate and bananas - the principal commodities currently included in national and global Fairtrade initiatives. Products from the Traidcraft fairtrade organisation have also been promoted.
Contact Peter and Margaret Waring

Liturgy Group
Concerned with the presentation of the Liturgy to reflect the seasons and celebrations in the church year.Contact Gerard Turnbull

Maintenance of Church and Presbytery
This is an ad hoc odd job man arrangement that covers painting and decorating, simple joinery and other small maintenance jobs. Larger jobs can be organised if bigger jobs need to be done. Help is always needed from tradesmen and enthusiasts to make a dent in a long list of jobs to be done. Contact Anthony Redman or Dennis Slaney

Mother and Toddler Group
Contact Diane Goodwin tel: @St.Paul's School

Music Group
There would seem to be a paucity of musicians in the Parish!  The group at the moment consists of Jane and two or three willing teenage helpers. Although hymns are sung at every Mass, there is only musical accompaniment at the 11.00 o'clock Mass on Sunday. We have a good ad hoc arrangement with local musicians but would like more volunteers from the parish, with a view to forming a choir again. Contact Alan Heyes 

The Parish Directory
We hope that we have mentioned every activity that takes place in the Parish today.The directory will help you to take an active role in the life of the Parish, if that is what you want. If you are a newcomer to St. Paul's,  the contact numbers are there for you to meet us and join in the Parish life. If you have talents to spare, the directory will tell you where best to use them!
If you have any corrections or suggestions for the format and content of our next edition please contact Anthony Redman

Parish Finances
Parish funds are held in trust by the trustees of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, who are responsible for all diocesan resourses to the Charities Commisioners. For further information contact Mary Doyle and for covenants/gift aid contact Bob Binder

Parish Library
There is a selection of religious books held in the altar servers' room next to the sacristy. Canon also has in his study more specific texts of  a greater depth which he is willing to loan. Donations of books and tapes are very welcome.

The Parish Steering Group
The group was formed to help Canon Stratton do his work in the parish and to involve more parishioners in planning and promoting pastoral and social activities within the parish.  Drawn from nominated parishioners, the seven members each have areas of interest and accountability on the Parish agenda. This may be just a coordinating and communicating role or planning and promoting a fundraiser and drawing on parish resources. There are photographs of the members, together with their areas of concern, in the porch. Feel free to approach us. We report back to the parish through the Parish Magazine and at Parish Meetings. For further information talk to Canon or the chairman of the group, Contact Anthony Redman 

The Piety Stall
Contact Monica McDonnell

Poynton Churches
Contact Mary Rosevere

The Ramblers
Daytime walks, once a month, ending with a pub lunch. Normally on Thursdays throughout the year, plus evening walks once a month in summer. Open to all and a lift is available if required. Details published in Parish newsletter.

Readers
The ministry of Reader is a very important one in today's church and recognised as a vital role in the celebration of Mass. We have a weekday and weekend rotas and all readers are encouraged to prepare the scripture well, so that they can proclaim the Word with understanding and confidence. Contact Ann Marley

SVP
Contact  Monica Holdcroft

Tea and Coffee after Sunday Masses.
Don't worry, you haven't been  missing anything!  It is something though that we want to introduce as soon as possible. Many people meet and chat after mass outside for a short while, (a very short while in winter) and we know that more would like to linger over a coffee or tea with their friends if we had the facilities. If you have any bright ideas for developing existing facilities or are a retired builder who needs to build, Contact Anthony Redman or Tom Elliot

Welcomers
A small group who are frequently the first contact that visitors and new parishioners have with the community of St. Paul's. When they arrive at Mass people are warmly greeteed and provided with hymn books, missals and news letters. Members of the group are also at hand to give any help that is required and to see that everything runs as smoothly as possible. For help, speak with one of the welcomers or contact Kath and Denis Slaney