Paignton Parish Church

25/05/2026

On the 24th May the church usually commemorates John Wesley and Charles Wesley, influential evangelists and hymn writers. It got a bit swallowed by Pentecost this year!

Born in Lincolnshire, John Wesley became an Anglican priest whose 1738 religious experience inspired a travelling ministry that crossed parish boundaries and later shaped the worldwide Methodist Church. He promoted grace, holiness, education, care for the poor, open-air preaching and organised Christian societies. Charles Wesley worked closely with John in developing early Methodism while encouraging loyalty to Anglicanism. Settling in Bristol and London, Charles wrote thousands of hymns celebrating God’s grace, salvation and Christian worship, enriching generations of believers.

23/05/2026

Tomorrow the church marks the powerful moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, filling them with courage, wisdom, and faith. Celebrated fifty days after Easter, this sacred event is often called the birth of the Christian Church. People from many nations heard the disciples speak in their own languages, symbolizing unity across cultures and nations.

Join us for our Pentecost celebrations, as we carry the power given to the followers of Christ to bring hope, peace and challenge to the world. 10am for Parish Mass, with incense and candles a plenty!

21/05/2026

Today the church commemorates Helena, 'protector of the Holy Places'.
In 330 CE, Mother of Constantine I, Helena travelled through the eastern provinces, supporting churches, preserving sacred locations, and encouraging Christian pilgrimage. Tradition credits her with discovering the True Cross during her journey to Jerusalem. Her efforts helped transform neglected sites connected to the life of Jesus into places of worship and remembrance. Helena’s work left a lasting mark on Christian history, inspiring (and challenging) believers and shaping the spiritual geography of the Roman Empire for centuries of devotion, pilgrimage, and reverence (and conflict!).

We take this moment to pray for our Holy Land today, and the call for unity and peace.

16/05/2026

We are pleased to welcome Revd Ash Leighton-Plom to preach for Christian Aid at our 10am service tomorrow.

Find out more at https://caweek.org

14/05/2026

Ascension Day is the day Christians remember Jesus returning to heaven after his resurrection. It takes place forty days after Easter, so it’s always celebrated on a Thursday.

In the Bible, Jesus’ disciples watch him ascend into heaven, and the day has become a celebration of hope, promise, and the reminder that God is always with us - that distance and closeness are both aspects of faith. Many churches mark it with special services, prayers, and hymns — and it also leads into the season of Pentecost.

We have a service at 6.30pm tonight, all are welcome!

11/05/2026

Did you know the Rogation Days (from the Latin *rogare*, meaning “to ask”) are the three weekdays before Ascension Day?

For centuries, communities marked these days with the tradition of “beating the bounds” — walking the parish boundaries and praying for the land and people. Some churches still keep this tradition alive today, while others use the Litany in worship.

More recently, Rogation has also become a time to pray for our communities, for the world of work, and for the wise and responsible care of creation — whether in rural villages or busy towns and cities.

Lord of all creation,
bless our communities, our work, and the land around us.
Teach us to care wisely for the world you have made,
and to walk together in gratitude, hope, and peace.
Amen.

02/05/2026

He's known as 'doubting Thomas', yet really he was just being honest. This Sunday we consider what faith requires, and how Jesus invites us to be part of something special even before we are really sure we know what it all means.

If you're not quite ready for the 10am Parish Eucharist, our Simple Service is at 11.30am and is particularly for those who are wrestling with faith, are doubting or holding on, or who feel like church has let them down or left them out. It is a relaxed short service that invites you to sit and be held.

01/05/2026

Today we remember the apostles Philip and James

St Philip is the patron saint of pastry chefs and hatmakers, while St James is the patron saint of pharmacists and the dying - so finding a way of honouring them both at the same time might get confusing...

Philip is often remembered for his search for truth and understanding, whilst James emphasised the importance of faith and works connecting belief and action for Christians.

Both courageously followed Jesus, and laid foundations for the church which has continued to search, serve and share faith.

23/04/2026

Happy St George's Day!