“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.” 1 John 4

This is a verse that Paul has taken to his heart and tries to live by. Nevertheless, it came as a surprise when his faithfulness was rewarded with a nomination for the Cross of St Piran Award. “I hadn’t a clue that the vicar had nominated me and I felt guilty because there are so many people who you can think of as being more deserving.”

“I hadn’t a clue that the vicar had nominated me and I felt guilty because there are so many people who you can think of as being more deserving.”

Paul was nominated for his invaluable support and many years of service to St Gluvias Church, Penryn, which, during his years, has seen him serve on the PCC, take the role of Church Warden and Deanery Synod representative as well as Server. It’s said of Paul that, “He is often the first to volunteer to do work and is a very humble, kind and generous man.” Paul’s support has been particularly appreciated during recent difficulties, which have included the vicar being ill. Paul plays down his efforts, saying he just does a bit of whatever is needed – brass cleaning, assisting the vicar, but he believes, “It’s important to support people to enable them to become the best they can be.”

Cross of St Piran“It’s important to support people to enable them to become the best they can be.”

And supporting Paul is his wife, Anne. “Anne probably does as much as me, and I very much appreciate her support, especially as she doesn’t worship in that 
church.” It is perhaps fitting then that Anne will be by Paul’s side at the Thanksgiving ceremony along with his younger son and his partner and members of Paul’s church family, including those Paul feels also deserve recognition of their work.

Paul’s connection to the church started when he was a young boy. “My parents went to the Baptist church, and I went a couple of times, but it really began for me when I was about 10 or 12. At the time we lived on a local estate in Falmouth and I could see a new church being built from where I lived. I ended up serving there for about three years and I loved it. I loved the singing as well! I just found it wonderful to think that I was doing something that was worthwhile.”

Paul spent seven years in the Navy and on leaving, he and Anne married and had two sons. “The children went to church with their Nan, but I didn’t go. It wasn’t until my cousin’s wedding in Budock Church that I came away thinking ‘I’m going to go to church with my son,’ who was about six then.”

Within six months, Paul became a Server and, 36 years later, he is still serving! Paul is now a member of the Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary.

Paul’s kind and generous nature reaches beyond the church walls, helping to raise money for charities, both near and far.