COMPASSION

"Moved by the mercy of God, for the good of our city"

Compassion at St Paul’s & St Barnabas

At St Paul’s & St Barnabas, compassion is not about image, activity, or sentiment. It is about seeing people as God sees them, responding with truth and love, and walking faithfully with our neighbours in the realities of everyday life, so that the Gospel is known by how we live.

The Heart of God

Jesus embodies this compassion perfectly. The Gospels repeatedly tell us that when Jesus saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion. He did not look away. He did not reduce people to problems. He spoke truth, healed the sick, welcomed the excluded, and ultimately gave his life for the world Christian compassion always flows from the cross.

GOSPEL SHAPED COMPASSION

Christian compassion flows from the grace of God shown to us in Jesus Christ. We love because we have first been loved. For us, compassion is not driven by guilt or sentiment, nor separated from truth and discipleship. It is shaped by the cross, where mercy and truth meet, and expressed through faithful, patient presence. We seek to honour dignity, walk relationally with people over time, and point beyond ourselves to the hope found in Christ.

COMPASSION IN OUR PLACE

For 175 years this church has stood in North Belfast, sharing life with a community marked by both resilience and need. We believe God has placed us here to live generously and faithfully among our neighbours, seeking their good and the glory of God. Our compassion is local, practical, and rooted in long-term presence, shaped by the same grace that has sustained this congregation through generations.

LITTLE SAINTS

We’re delighted to be starting a new Parents & Toddlers group at St Paul’s & St Barnabas — a relaxed, welcoming space for parents, carers, and little ones to connect, play, and spend time together in a safe, friendly, and supportive environment at the heart of the community. The group will meet on Tuesday mornings, and everyone is welcome, whatever your background or story. More details coming soon; if you’d like to know more or register your interest, please get in touch.

COMMUNITY DROP-IN

Our Drop-In provides a warm, welcoming space for anyone in the local community to come in, have a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy conversation, and be met with kindness and respect. It is a place to pause, to be known, and to find support in simple, human ways — through listening, hospitality, and presence. Rooted in the compassion of Christ, the Drop-In reflects our desire to walk alongside our neighbours in everyday life, offering welcome without pressure and care without conditions.

HOPE COUNSELLING

Hope Counselling works alongside St Paul’s and St Barnabas to provide professional, compassionate counselling for individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges. Rooted in care, confidentiality, and respect, this partnership reflects our commitment to emotional wellbeing and long term support, offering a space where people can be listened to, taken seriously, and helped to move forward with hope.

Find Hope

GIVING AND SHARING

Giving and Sharing is one of the practical ways we support our local community by collecting and distributing food and essential items through trusted foodbank partners. It is a simple expression of generosity shaped by the gospel, recognising that what we have is received from God and shared for the good of others. Through this, we seek to meet real needs with dignity, kindness, and consistency, standing alongside our neighbours in times of pressure and uncertainty.

LIFE TOGETHER

Each Sunday we gather to worship God, hear His Word, pray, and encourage one another as a church family. Our time together does not end with the service, as we share conversation, hospitality, and fellowship afterwards, building relationships and welcoming newcomers into the life of the community. These Sundays shape our shared life, reminding us that faith is lived together as we learn to follow Christ side by side.

GLOBAL COMPASSION

Our compassion is local, but it does not stop at North Belfast. As a church, we share in God’s global mission by praying for, supporting, and partnering with gospel work beyond our immediate context. Through trusted relationships with mission partners and churches around the world, we seek to stand alongside those serving in different cultures and circumstances, united by the same gospel and the same calling to make Christ known.

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