St Andrews Church Shottery

03/06/2026

Diary of a Cross in my Pocket. June 3rd.
As promised yesterday, I laid out the recommended tools and instructions to begin building my little coffee table, but as I read the first page, despair began to set in! I understood not a word of it! But, refusing to give up I battled on and very gradually the promise of a small, round table became a reality and now stands bearing three candles and a cross to accompany my morning prayers.
This small challenge reminded me of the difficult times we all encounter on our journey of faith; times we fail to understand seemingly unanswered prayers; times of sadness and grief; struggles in our relationships.
In Hebrews 12:1 we read: 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.' Revd. Joan Whyman.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Diary of a Cross in my Pocket. June 2nd.
Recently I received the delivery of a small coffee table that had been advertised as being easy to assemble. I took one look at the instructions and decided it definitely was not! When younger I would have battled on late into the night becoming increasingly thwarted and anxious trying to work through the difficulties, but maybe it is the wisdom of old age that said, 'Leave it until morning, things will seem clearer then.'
Not true for everyone, I am aware, but I have learned that problems rarely seem so difficult in the light of day.
Maybe I am learning the truth of Proverbs 2:6:
'For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.'
I pray it may be so today!
Revd. Joan Whyman.

01/06/2026

June Searchlight now available from church porch. Kindly pop payment in the appropriate slot inside the church to your left and above small table. ENJOY.

01/06/2026

Diary of a Cross in my Pocket. June 1st.
As a theme for her programme on Premier Christian Radio yesterday morning, Pam Rhodes used the well known prayer of St. Richard of Chichester. These familiar words took me straight back to my school days, sitting cross- legged on the hall floor when they were regularly used as part of morning assembly. It brought back happy memories, but it also made me sad, for in most schools, children today are no longer offered the enrichment that this time of communal prayer offered and for me, and I am sure many others, began to shape our Christian faith.
This prayer, offered by St. Richard, helped me to 'see Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly, day by day. Revd. Joan Whyman.

31/05/2026

Rev Craigs Sermon from this morning

30/05/2026

Sunday 31st May.
TRINITY SUNDAY
Services:

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)
10.00am Holy Communion
Here is the zoom link for the 10am service.
https://us02web.zoom.uHYfaeF.
6.30pm. Contemplative Eucharist*
*This service we be 'in the round' in the middle of church. As a contemplative service it will be very simple - no musical instruments, just singing using our voices. There will no be a sermon but we will have loads of silence and reflection. It will be a quite but beautiful communion service - please do come along and enjoy!

What is the Holy Spirit in the Bible? |Watch an Explainer VideoThe Bible Project4 Feb 2020

Struggling to understand the Trinity? You're not the only one . . . here's a Bible Project video that might help (then again . . . ??)

https://youtu.be/eAvYmE2YYIU?si=f9x7YJhtWT52o1dc

INTRODUCTION
This Gospel reading places the invocation of the Trinity at the heart of mission and ministry: mission belongs to God, and is the church’s outworking of the divine revelation in the world. Baptism is a key part of this mission, as the way that new Christians are called into their new identity in God. Teaching follows on from baptism as new believers are formed individually and communally into the likeness of Christ, continuing his work in the world.

30/05/2026

Saturday 30th May.
COFFEE MORNING with BRING & BUY STALL.
10am till noon
in the Parish Centre.
EVERYONE WELCOME

29/05/2026

Diary of a Cross in my Pocket. May 29th.
This last week has been a mixture of both making visits to some friends and receiving visits and phone calls from others. We have shared news, happy laughter, times of sadness and difficulties and, yes, tears too.
And surely this was the essence and importance of the close friendships that Jesus had throughout his life and, indeed, after his death. We read in the Gospels of the times they walked along the shore together, sailed across the Sea of Galilee, met on the mountain, and we imagine how they must have talked and laughed and learned and listened in company with one another.
Dear Lord, thank you for the precious gift of friendship. Help us to treasure and love our friends, support them at times and lean on them at others, both through the good days and the difficult ones.
Help us, too, to remember and respond to those who are lonely and in need of company and a listening ear. Amen. Revd. Joan Whyman.