Whether you consider yourself a member or St Paul’s, or would like to get to know us, but are not sure, we have a number of activities where you can meet with others, share interests and build friendships.
All are welcome
Home Groups
Joining a home group is an opportunity to get to know us, and for us to get to know you. It is a place to meet new people and hang out with friends, to share the word of God, and pray together so we can grow in God, to enjoy life together and flourish in our faith, and to see the church grow, just as it says in Acts 2.
Like any family, our home groups all have different people and different styles. Feel free to try a few, to see which one best fits you!
If you would like to join a home group, please contact smallgroups@stpauls-stalbans.
Creation Care
St Paul’s has a Silver Eco Church award! The Creation Care group encourage thought, discussion and action which places God’s creation at the center of what we do, why we do it and how we do it.
We are very pleased to announce we have been awarded a Silver Eco Church award from A Rhocha. Pray for us as we aim for a Gold award.
With COP26 approaching there are prayer points with each week’s update.
Phil prayed for COP26 at the service this morning (31st October). You can download the Archbishop’s Prayer from here
Rooted - St Paul's Gardening Group
What does our group do?
We are a friendly group of 3 or 4 ladies who look after the gardens around St Paul’s; that doesn’t include the lawns or any tree work.
When and where we meet?
We meet near the entrance to church most Tuesday mornings at 10am for about an hour and a half for 9 or 10 months of the year, weather permitting- we’re fair weather gardeners! We usually finish our gardening session with a coffee and a piece of cake or cookie.
How do you join?
Anyone can join us, no prior knowledge is required and acquiring new skills happens as we work. It helps to have a pair of gardening gloves, suitable footwear and a pair of secateurs and a hand fork but we usually bring a selection of tools with us.
Contact details of group lead:
Please contact Chris Graves via the Office
Ladies walking group
What does our group do?
We go for a walk of about 2 hours approximately once a month, followed by an informal picnic lunch for those who want to stay. There are two alternative dates for each walk – one mid-week and the other on a Saturday. All ladies are welcome including friends and neighbours. Dogs are also very welcome.
When and where we meet?
The walks are all close to St Albans and we meet in a suitable car park at the start of the walk. We communicate via a WhatsApp group, or text/email for those not on WhatsApp.
How do you join?
Just contact Sandra (see below) and she will add you to the WhatsApp group. No regular commitment is needed – just come when you want to
Do I need any special equipment?
Just suitable footwear (trainers or boots depending on the weather).
Contact details of group lead:
Please contact Sandra via the office
Mid-week Pop-In
What does our group do?
We provide a safe space during the Covid restrictions for people to meet up inside in socially distanced circles to chat and drink coffee/tea and eat cake. We can’t provide for children at this but all adults welcome – come for as long or short as you like and enjoy meeting up with some others.
When and where we meet?
Wednesdays 10.30am-12 noon in the large hall and outside in the courtyard when fine.
How do you join?
You just come along to the church any time between 10.30am and 12 noon on Wednesdays.
Contact details of group lead:
Please contact Helen Chilton via the Office
Men’s Walking Group (Dogs optional!)
What does our group do?
We go for country walks – generally around 5 miles, or 2 hours in length – in the St Albans area and often end up at a pub for lunch. Good exercise and good conversation.
When and where we meet?
We normally meet monthly, often on a weekday and starting at around 10.00am. We agree on a location to meet with plenty of car parking, and have a tried and tested route worked out in advance. All men are very welcome, and some of us also bring dogs.
How do you join?
We communicate via a WhatsApp group, or text/email. Contact Nick and he will add you to the WhatsApp group.
Contact details of group lead:
Please contact Nick via the office
Litter Picking Group
What does our group do?
We litter pick around the parish of St Paul’s.
When and where we meet?
We choose an area in the parish to focus on once a month on a Saturday morning. We normally do about an hour’s litter picking.
How do you join?
Just contact Rachel (see below) and she will add you to the WhatsApp group. No regular commitment is needed – just come when you want to.
Do I need any equipment?
We supply litter pickers, dustbin bags and plastic gloves. You may want to bring and use your own gloves. We also have hi-vis jackets that show that we are a St Paul’s group.
Contact details of group lead:
Please contact Rachel via the office for further details and to join the group
Strolling group
What does our group do?
We go for a gentle stroll of about 1 hour / 2 miles, chatting as we go and usually followed by a coffee stop. We aim to meet once every 3 weeks. Ladies and gents all welcome. It’s a great way to get to know each other better, and a good place to invite friends and neighbours who may enjoy this.
When and where we meet?
We usually meet on a weekday morning. The walks are all close to St Albans, and we meet at the starting points – lifts are usually available if needed. The dates are publicised in the weekly bulletin, and we can also include you in our email group. No regular commitment is needed – just come when you want to.
How do you join?
Just contact Lindsey via the office if you would like to join a walk, or to be added to our email group so she can let you know upcoming dates.
Loose Threads
What does our group do?
We bring whatever craft projects we are working on (knitting, crochet, quilting etc) and come together to chat, encourage each other with their works-in-progress and maybe enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee depending on the time of day.
When and where do we meet?
Loose Threads has a daytime meeting on the first Monday of every month, 10am – 12pm normally in someone’s house. Meanwhile the evening session is from 8pm on the second Friday of each month in the sideroom of a pub along Hatfield Road.
How do you join?
Contact our Loose Threads coordinators Jennie (daytime) and Lucy (evening) via the office for details. No regular commitment is needed, just come when you would like to. The evening session has a Facebook Group where we share reminders about the meetings and other craft related posts. The morning group are connected by WhatsApp.
Art Club
St Paul’s Art Group is an all-ability, sharing and relaxing group where members are encouraged to develop their own style. At the end of each term members are asked to suggest subjects they would like on the next term’s programme, but other subjects are also included to stretch our imagination. We also have occasional demonstrations and workshops.
Some of the members have a variety of skills and talents and are willing to share their ideas, while others are new to art, wanting to learn and have a go.
We meet Tuesdays 1.30 – 4pm. The charge is £1 a session. We start with a prayer or poem, with a break for tea and biscuits half way through, when we chat and look at each other’s work. We bring our own materials, but various paints, pens, pastels and paper etc. are available for new members to try before they decide what to buy for themselves.
For any queries please contact the Office
Book Club
The Book Club is a Zoom meeting to discuss a Christian title.
Everybody is welcome. We have a free and frank discussion, pray about it and share suggestions for the next book. All this takes about an hour, twice a term, usually on a Thursday evening.
Our next meeting will be on Zoom on a date to be advised. The book has yet to be chosen.
Click here for the latest book review.
Please contact Andy via the office if you have any questions about the book club.
