WELCOME TO ST PAUL'S WEST HACKNEY

We extend a welcome to St Paul's to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, gender fluid, rich, poor or penniless.

We welcome wailing babies and excited toddlers. We welcome those who sing like Adele and those who just growl quietly to themselves. We welcome those who are just browsing, have just woken up or have just been released from prison.

We welcome those who attend church more than the Archbishop of Canterbury and those who have not darkened the doors of a church since they were on the way home from that Christmas party ten years ago.

We welcome those who are over 60 but haven't quite grown up and to teenagers who seem to be growing up too fast. We welcome those who are in recovery or who are still addicted.

We welcome those who are having problems, down in the dumps, angry with God or who don't like 'organized religion'. We're not that struck on it either.

We welcome those who work too hard, those who don't work, can't work, can't spell, feel they aren't very good at stuff or are here because their mother is visiting for the weekend and it's more than their lives are worth not to go to church with her and look as though they're enjoying themselves.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, who have screwed up monumentally or who'd like to light a candle but don't quite know why.

We welcome those who find the whole idea of God a bit odd, who've been damaged by religion, were force-fed religion as children and those who've wound up here by mistake.

We welcome pilgrims, tourists, migrants, asylum seekers, neighbours, explorers, doubters and those who prefer to travel rather than to arrive.

God - however you perceive him, her or it - welcomes you and we at St Paul's will try our level best to do the same.

"The parish of St Paul West Hackney is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services."