Shaw Church

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

• Was it worth it?29 January 2026

  Have you ever looked back and asked yourself ‘was it worth it? Maybe you invested time and energy on some project which went well (or not), and took a moment to reflect: Was it worth it?

  We never stop to ask at a Funeral whether a life was ‘worth it’ – we just assume it was.

  But what will I say if, just before my last breath, I’m asked ‘Was it worth it?’

  Do I recall the errors and missteps? Or the money? – as if money has any value beyond this life. In the Notebook (Nichoas Sparks), the aged Noah Calhoun reflects that his life’s achievement was loving another with all his heart and soul.

  But what if your life could have value because of what you saw, as opposed to what you did or made or achieved?

  In today’s reading, Simeon’s life is complete because he has seen the Lord’s Salvation. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and his life was complete.

  There is only one Jesus, and he was the same then as he is today.

  Have you seen Him? Have you received him? If you have, then maybe that is what will define you.

   

  Raymond