Welcome
We are the Church of England parish of St Mary’s Shaw cum Donnington – just to the north and east of Newbury.
Our purpose and focus is Knowing Jesus, Sharing God’s Love, Caring for People.
You can read more about it here.
We meet every Sunday at 10am, as well as at other times during the week.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Word for the Week
- Happiness
Happiness cam be elusive. We all want to be happy but we often don’t know what will make us happy. We sometimes know when we are happy – but staying happy is elusive. We get in our minds that a particular ‘this’ will make us happy, but the satisfied desire just leads to new desires, and happiness escapes even as it approaches.
I was reminded this week of C S Lewis saying “I’m not sure God wants us to be happy.” He was reflecting on suffering – and he counters the ‘not’ with “God does want us to love and be loved”.
Jesus’ (Matthew 25:21,23) talked of servants in the Kingdom of Heaven sharing their master’s happiness; James (5:13) encourages those who are happy to sing songs of praise.
There are dangers of seeking happiness in this world because when it comes to an end (eg we die) where is that happiness? Such thoughts should lead us to seek our happiness in God. John declares his purpose in writing to his dear children, fathers and young men: your sins are forgiven, you know Him, you have overcome the evil one. (see 1Jn2:12-14). Is there a better definition of happiness?
Raymond