Manchester - Study Group

Lorraine Shaw, Director

I'm originally from Atherton - a small town in the North West of England. Shortly after graduating Newcastle-upon-Tyne university (B.A. honours degree in politics), I moved to Los Angeles, California and embarked upon a career in the TV industry.

I'd been in LA several years, had gone through a divorce, and experiencing something of a personal crisis and feeling desperate. I was steeped in the Church of England (Protestant) growing up but had rejected it long before moving to the States - so although I was searching for something, I was not about to turn to the "punishing & rewarding" god that I grew up with.

A friend recommended two books. The Sermon on the Mount, Emmet Fox, and Three Magic Words, US Anderson. Et voila - I found myself walking into the 11:30 am service at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science. I'd never heard of the Science of MInd or Ernest Holmes et al. Upon hearing Dr Mark Vierra's talk, I had a profound sense of "I'm home, this is it". I couldn't get enough of it. I took all the classes and became a licensed Practitioner. I've been an active member of my church community ever since.

Five years ago I left television and went back to school full time to study photography. I was accepted into the renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I was placed on the Dean's honours list and exhibited several times in the prestigious student gallery before graduating with a BFA honors degree in Photography and Imaging. This success, amongst many others is all due to turning my life over to Spirit and practicing the spiritual principles that I learned at church. It really is The Father Within That Do'eth The Work!

I moved back to the UK 8 months ago. I'm listed in the SOM Magazine directory as Study Group Director for the Greater Manchester area. At the moment my practice is on-line and by telephone. I also send out a weekly column via e-mail. Eventually I will facilitate a once-a-month meeting for study, prayer, meditation and community.

I'm blessed to have a career in commercial and fine art photography - specializing in food, still life, lifestyle and portraiture. I'm about to launch my own photography business and also busy working on a personal project that has been green-lit by a major museum in Manchester. Again another testament to the power of prayer & living in Truth.

Lorraine Shaw, is available for spiritual guidance and counselling.
Telephone: 07913 091 206
E-mail: mizshaw@gmail.com (please put SOM in subject heading)