Holy Innocents presents a finely handcrafted purple altar frontal created for Lent, complemented by a matching purple velvet apron. The embroidered design is rich in symbolism. Twelve golden willow (palm) leaves represent the Twelve Apostles and recall the palm branches scattered along Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. The central stem from which these leaves grow symbolizes the winding and sometimes challenging path of life. Along this stem, delicate grey catkins signify the young believers who, nurtured by God’s love, mature into devoted followers.


The design further features three Passion Flowers that evoke the Holy Trinity. In each flower, a pale blue center suggests the expanse of the heavens, a mauve tone alludes to the sorrow of sacrifice, green represents eternal growth, and a silver background stands for purity. The intertwining tendrils recall the ropes that bound Christ to the Cross, while three gold anthers evoke the hammer used during His crucifixion. The leaves, shaped like the blades of Roman swords, remind us of the piercing of Christ’s side, and a central Crown of Thorns—rendered in gold stitching over a small silver diadem—serves as a poignant reminder of His Passion.


A pure gold Crucifix, with its interlacing design and diamond inlaid details accented by dew drops at each crossing, anchors the composition. At its heart lies a gold web symbolizing the tangled nature of life, eventually resolved by three pearls representing the Godhead, all embraced by the glorified Cross. Beneath the arms of this Cross, two small crosses in dull silver evoke the memory of the two thieves crucified alongside Christ, contrasting human frailty with divine grace.


As Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities…” This powerful verse resonates with the themes of sacrifice and redemption embodied in this altar frontal. Crafted by Mrs. Darnton as a replacement for the original bluish-purple piece donated by the Hirst family benefactors, this work of fabric art captures the reflective spirit of Lent with clarity and depth.

There are services very Tuesday at 10am. The first Sunday of the Month at 10am and also this month at 10am on Easter Sunday ! 

You might have seen a glorious, shiny new flag atop St John's ! How did it come to be ? Our lovely Bridget who is the Bell Tower correspondent explains : 

"Debbie follows Sharow Bells Restoration on Facebook and saw my post in which I said I was looking into the price of a replacement everyday flag that we can fly all the time.
Debbie replied, “I can’t ring bells, but would like to contribute towards a new flag”.

Debbie kindly purchased our gorgeous new flag in memory of her dear friend (with whom Bridget and many others shared) - Sally Robinson. She tells us below, who 'Sal' was to her...

When Sal and family came back from France, Bram took to Lottie on their first day at school together. When Sal came to pick her up, Bram said 'Excuse me! Can Lottie come for tea?'. The rest is history. Sal was so supportive to me when I had cancer. When my chemo finished, she and Trevor said for us all to join them in France for a week's holiday - it was just what I needed 

Dog walks (she adored Leo - and, to a lesser degree, Flora and Blue); times with the kids; visits to Spa Gardens after school; countless cups of tea n chat;  meals n wine; George's fundraisers - he and Trevor not only fixed my car, but valeted my car as well (this, just after Ian had left me - their kindness made me cry); Sal also rang Trevor straight away to change my tyre when we discovered I had a flat after dropping kids at school; Sal  singing, dancing n wildly jumping off the windowsill into the 'crowd' at the karaoke party she hosted. So many kindnesses and happy memories. She was such a supportive friend, so brave and such fun. I do miss her.

🔔🎄🌟  Merry Christmas 🌟🎄🔔 Well what a fantastic year we have had at Sharow St John's Church! The bells have been ringing from strength to strength, announcing our services and special events for our Bicentennial year which is almost at a close. 

We have looked at the history of our past years with fascination, introduced lovely new people into our Church family, with Baptisms, and a lovely Holiday Club; also said our goodbyes to some old friends. We helped to launch our wonderful Reverend Ruth to the Diocese of Carlisle as Archdeacon, and have borrowed her energetic encouragement to enthusiastically continue the good work. 

We are gently growing in deepened discipleship with Brian's brilliant Bible Studies; and our monthly Cafe Church, led by our newly authorised Lay Worship Leaders, growing the Ministry Team just in time for navigating the waiting time for another regular Priest. 

Various members of our congregation are now exploring Theology courses, Pastoral training, and I have had the privilege as a new Ordinand of assisting the Church Wardens and LLM in 'holding the fort' and enjoyed meeting all the visiting clergy, learning from our own retired Priest in between exploring the peace and joy of following Jesus with Morning Prayer, and weekly soothing calm Celtic Evening Prayer. 

Monthly Family Services have been a lovely time to learn across our gathered community, with
our lovely Licensed Lay Minister, and Children's Minister captivating our children (and inner child!).
Choir has continued to attend, with 9 enthusiastic choristers and helpful parents. 

Wonderful Wednesdays started in the Autumn, and the take up has more than doubled with others due to join us in the New Year, for lots of creative projects and chat, a thriving community from the village and beyond. How creative this Church is, following our Creator God, including a cornucopia of fabulous concerts interspersed with weekly Ecumenical Prayer Meetings, and quarterly Art & Spirituality Retreat Days add to immersing St John's in prayer with all our regular services.  

The Church Wardens have done a tremendous amount behind the scenes to keep the Church running, and we feel happy and healthy as a community. We really are the body of Christ in Sharow, and always ready to lend a helping hand, we expanded our Sharow Village Pantry provision to those who make use of it. 

Thankyou to a wonderful community for stepping up to the challenges, to the Friends of St John's for financial and social support, there will be more to navigate ahead but in prayer we take it all to
God, who is faithful, and brings to birth new things for us all in His perfect timing. 

We wish you and yours a Peaceful, Blessed and Happy Christmas, do come and see what
exciting things we can all offer as gifts to our community, from and for everyone in the New Year!

-Juliet ✨💖🙏🏻

PS. Please do join us today at either St John’s or The Holy Innocents at 10am for Holy Communion.