Walk with Us: A Note from the Rector

“Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey.” (Luke 24:15)

Our lives are a journey that involve our whole selves, body, mind, and spirit. No matter where you are on your own path we invite you to find refreshment and community here at St. Paul’s. We know each individual's walk is unique, made at varying paces, on different schedules, with assorted luggage, and often requiring some form of assistance. It is our hope that we at St. Paul’s can walk with you, and our prayer that you will join us on the journey together.

At St. Paul's we work to create a place of belonging. Belonging for us means that when you are here you are home. We hope you will find your home here, in all the ways home invites us to find comfort, lean into the love of family, and enjoy the peace of knowing we are where we're meant to be. Like any home there is always work to be done, food to be enjoyed, and good times to be had. So make yourself at home, find where you all called, and lean into our St. Paul's family. Whether you are attending your first ever Episcopal service or you “know the ropes,” every church is a little different. Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. And if you still have more questions, just ask!

As Episcopalians, we believe that all baptized people are called to minister in the Church. Everyone has a different role. Our clergy serve as the spiritual leaders of our congregation, our staff is responsible for overseeing our program ministries and day-to-day responsibilities, and our vestry is responsible for parish decision-making.

Meet Our Leadership

Labyrinths are ancient spiritual tools designed to assist one in prayer, meditation, reflection, and respite. All are welcome to enjoy and use our Labyrinth which is open to the public. Find out more about our labyrinth, seasonal walks, and the St. Paul’s Labyrinth/Meditation Garden Burial Guidelines.

St. Paul's is a vibrant ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, which is one of the 109 dioceses of The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

We following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with the earth as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. We seek every day to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).

The Episcopal Church

The Diocese of North Carolina

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

As faithful Christains, created in the image of God, we are called to care for this earth, for one another, and for the resources we have been endowed with by our Creator. One way of caring for all we have been given is finding ways to use our resources (time, talent, and treasure) to support and bless God’s work in the world. There are many ways we can give of our time, talent, and treasure. Giving of our treasure, financially, allows us at St. Paul’s to continue our work of ministry at St. Paul’s, in our Community, and in the world.

Sunday Worship 8 & 11 am · Details

218 S. Second Street, Smithfield, NC 27577-4532 · 919-934-2675

Lay Healing Ministry

The Lay Healing Ministry serves the members of St. Paul’s through the laying on of hands and offering intercessory prayer on behalf of members of the congregation. Each first and third Sunday, there will be a prayer station in the Music Director’s office to the left of the lectern. Any and all persons may proceed to the prayer station after receiving Communion. It is a ministry available to all to be used when needed. Those offering prayers on your behalf have lived within a tradition of intercessory prayer and will keep all prayer requests confidential. The Lay Healing Minister (LHM) will ask if you have specific needs you would like to name out loud (e.g. healing of some sort, discernment, peace of mind, etc.). It is important to emphasize that the content of your prayer requests are not a matter of subsequent discussion, and the LHM will not bring up the matter with you at a later time unless you initiate the conversation.

The point of our healing station is to open ourselves to the power of God’s Holy Spirit working within us through the process of prayer. It is God alone who heals. When we place ourselves in the role of praying for one another, we are opening ourselves to the healing presence of God in our lives. Healing of body, mind, or spirit comes to us from Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.

If you need intercessory prayer at times other than the first or third Sunday, please speak with the Rector or one of the Lay Healing Ministers directly.

Lay Healing Ministers (LHM) are commissioned by the Rector and participate in the ministry prayer through laying on of hands. On the first Sunday of the month a member from the LHM Team is present during our service of Holy Eucharist to confidentially pray with and lay hands on those who wish to receive healing prayers. Anyone interested in becoming a Lay Healing Minister should contact the Rector to explore their call to this ministry.

Lance Armstrong