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
- Wonderful Creation
There are times for all of us when we feel closer to God, and as I listen to people, I hear that these times are often when we are outdoors.
Churches and their settings – sunsets – mountain tops – river walks, lakesides – bird watching (becoming very popular with young people, not just retirees!).
‘Thin places’ are described in pilgrimages, beginning with missionaries in the 5-6th Century Celtic tradition, St Patrick in Ireland, at St Columba in Scotland, where God seems closer to us. Think now of a time when this has been true for you.
In the Gospels, we notice that Jesus spends much time outdoors during his three years in ministry. To pray, he goes outside away from the crowds, he rows across the Lake for quiet, he retreats to northern greenery for times to teach. Just the distances between places means that he ‘walks and talks’ along the way, around the Sea of Galilee, between Cana and Nazareth, down to Jerusalem… and one very memorable journey on the day of resurrection… with two disciples on the road to Emmaus… and their hearts are burning within them as they discuss the Scriptures.
Jesus celebrates creation and shows control too – he calms the storm, he speaks of the sparrows, grapes, vines and figs, wildflowers and lilies; olives and figs, sky, wind, water, rain.
We too, can celebrate and delight in God’s wonderful world, and learn to work with Him to care for it. As we gather this Sunday we shall continue that journey of discovery and grow together even more.
Marion de Quidt
Rev’d Canon Marion de Quidt
Winchester Diocese
m: 07866 304 516
9 Enborne Gate, Newbury, Berks. RG14 6AZ