Our Parish
A small Episcopal parish in Newton Highlands shaped by worship, music, curiosity, and care.
From wherever you come, with whatever you bring, you are welcome here.
Who We Are
Some of us have been Episcopalian our whole lives. Others are still surprised to find themselves in church on a Sunday morning. We come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and life stories. As an LGBTQ+ affirming Episcopal parish, we value creating space for questions, participation, reflection, and belonging.
Community at St. Paul’s in Newton is built slowly and genuinely through worship, shared meals, conversation, service, music, and showing up for one another over time. We gather for Sunday worship, coffee hour, seasonal celebrations, outreach efforts, and the ordinary rhythms of parish life.
We strive to be a spiritual community where people can participate honestly and fully, bringing both joy and uncertainty, conviction and curiosity, celebration and grief.
Be. Together. More.
These three words help describe how we understand our life together at St. Paul’s: gathered in prayer, formed in community, and sent into the world.
Be.
The heart of our life together as a parish is gathering in prayerful community for worship as we seek to grow more fully, deeply, and attentively in the understanding and love of God made known in Jesus and ever-present through the Holy Spirit.
In the liveliness of music, the quiet of silence, and the dignity of the liturgy, we seek to be more fully aware of and present to God’s presence in our own lives and in the world, supporting one another in our prayer lives and spiritual journeys.
Together.
Community life often begins around the coffee table after worship. Sometimes it’s an elaborate feast, sometimes simple snacks, but always a chance to linger, play, and share stories. In warmer months, we bring coffee hour outside to our rainbow chairs.
Our Pastoral Care Committee members are available – in person or on Zoom – to lend an ear, pray with people, and offer support.
As one of many Episcopal parishes in the Newton area, we also Collaborate Regularly with other parishes for various liturgies and social gatherings (the Great Vigil of Easter, or Advent Lessons and Carols with Festive Reception).
More.
Together and individually, parishioners of St. Paul’s are busy!
As a founding member of the Centre Street Food Pantry, St. Paul’s continues itssupport.
Many members of the parish are also involved in The Global Village Children’s Project, which provides education funds for vulnerable children in Uganda.
We joyfully participate with our diocese in the annual Boston pride parade, witnessing to God’s love for every body.
St. Paul’s served as a Level 1 sanctuary for an immigrant family.
Away from St. Paul’s, many of our parishioners work in varieties of human and social services. And an ethos of care, concern, and justice-seeking for our community and our greater world pervades our shared life.
Our Postcommunion Statement of Sending Forth
Every week our Postcommunion Prayer is an adaption from the Book of Common Prayer and the Iona Abbey Worship Book.
Eternal God,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of our Savior Jesus Christ,
whose love is the source of all life and the desire of our lives,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
in the promise of Christ’s love, which defeats evil and death,
and grant us strength and courage,
in face of fear and doubt,
through the power and breath of the Holy Spirit,
to be the church, a community of flawed and forgiving disciples,
to love and serve you,
to seek justice and to live in peace,
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Continue Exploring St. Paul’s
From wherever you come, with whatever you bring, you are welcome here.
Learn about our worship life, music, prayer, and hybrid liturgy.
Meet the clergy, staff, and lay leaders who help guide parish life.
New to St. Paul’s? Learn what a typical Sunday is like and how to participate comfortably.
