Quartz at St Johns Dumfries
Here is a handy wee craft activity.
How to make a finger labyrinth
We have been making large scale versions using rope for a good few years now. We also have a pottery table top version Alison brought back from Spain.
https://wordsmithcrafts.co.uk/Labyrinth2015.html
Hopefully, this summer, we will be able to use this to provide people with the opportunity to “Let go, Love, Liberate” in their every day lives.
We held the March Forest Church meeting at Allanton Peace Sanctuary. This was part of one of the eight seasonal festivals they are planning for this year. These festivals recognise the changing seasons in what is sometimes called the wheel of the year.
We had a particular focus on peace in Ukraine and Russia, but also were very aware of all the conflict taking place worldwide. We pray for peace in all continents and between all people.
You can find out more about Allanton here
It is our custom to meet as Forest Church on the third Sunday in the Month. We have chosen to meet on the Crichton estate for a whole year, so that we can get to know it and experience the changes in the seasons.
However, this particular Sunday we have chosen to accept an invitation to meet at Allanton Peace Sanctuary. They are observing the cycle of seasons in the year as well, with gatherings at the eight traditional points. From the earliest times humans, whether Jewish or the early church, or those who create their own thing from day to day, humans have noticed the change in seasons and chosen to use this to explore spiritual change. Reconnecting with this is a desire we share as Forest Church. We also share a desire for peace and a willingness to pray for it, as well as a belief that prayer changes things.
There will be a blended online and physical component to the day.
Walkabout
2.50 in Peace Pole Henge
3.00 people can join in online (e-mail Quartz for the link)
Explanation of what we are doing
We will pray for each continent, then hold a special meditation for Russia and Ukraine, at the Peace Poles for each country, sending our light and love to the greater pool of consciousness, available to each and every one of us.
Paper Angels: Simon – tells the story behind the folding of the The Angel Cloud
Invitation to continue discussion over tea and cake, and folding your own Angel
Simon will invite the Forest Church and anyone else to participate in closing blessing.
You can find Allanton at this address
Allanton Peace Sanctuary
Auldgirth
Dumfries, DG2 0RY
Scotland, UK
This post is not the place for detailed discussions about authenticity, dating and etymology – but for those who are interested: Connections between Church “Easter” and “Ostera” can be traced back to Bede in 8th century Northumbria, and like many topics from that era has undergone much new study in the last century, much of which has yet to become common knowledge. There is a brief introduction here, and deeper discussion is available in other places online.
In what ways can we draw on the heritage we have inherited, and use it to create a peaceful future for all?
What do you dare to dream, but doubt the wisdom of trying?
What are the wild dreams of your youth? Perhaps you remember with nostalgia the idea of becoming a rock star, or going on pilgrimage to proclaim the Word of God on street corners.
It is said that vertigo is both/and the fear of falling, and the desire to jump.
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Learning discernment is a very appropriate task for lent. Part of discernment is becoming aware of your desires. Without winter, how would we become aware of the joy of the spring which is budding around me as I write this. Fasting reminds us of the joy of eating. What about sensing the hunger for the things which make life worth living though?
This evening our task is to become aware of the desires, ambitions, and (perhaps crazy) dreams that lie dormant within us. Which of them are genuine outpourings of faith, and which of them dare God to prove our vision of reality?
Jesus chose not to jump off the temple, but he did walk on water. He also turned water into copious quantities of wine. How was he able to know which to do, and what can we learn from him? We often think of the story from the perspective of the disciples and our need to be saved. However, we are also called to be imitators of Christ…
If you are able to meet up this evening (Monday the 14th of March) then I look forward to discussing dreams. Even if you are reading this from another time and place, please take the opportunity to use the comments as a place to write them down. Dream in the daytime and in public.
“I, by my works, will show you my Faith…”
The act of making art can visualise some very complicated emotions. Art in public can be an action that ‘moves’ many people. If you are a dancer, then dancing can be protest as well as performance, and we who are crafters have folded angels.
We can also help in other more direct ways too and here is a list of agencies and individuals who can help get that aid to where it is needed in Ukraine.
| Organisation | Link | |
| MOOL (Massive Outpouring of Love) | Things that will be helpful | |
| Station House Cook School | Help someone on the ground help refugees. | |
| Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) | 15 UK Charities working together. They can use your donation effectively to help out where it is needed. | |
| Providing food | World Central Kitchen | |
| Hostile or hospitable environment? | Take action and contact your (UK) MP to make your opinion about refugees known. Info from Refugee Action | |
| Scottish Episcopal Church Response | From the college of bishops | |
| | If links are broken or you think something is missing, let us know! |
Have a read of the introduction to this song and video.
Then as you sit back and enjoy it, contemplate the many possible real life stories that have formed this experience.
What does “release for captives” mean?
What invisible chains bind our minds, inherited, unexamined, frustrating the potential God has placed within creation?
What crazy ideas are actually good ones – clearing the ‘temple’ out, and not just washing the outside, but drinking the best new wine?
https://realworldrecords.com/features/blogs/track-of-the-day-kurunba-by-rokia-kone-jacknife-lee/
I can scarcely imagine what it must be like to have your country invaded and your home subjected to rocket attacks. How can you work when it is too dangerous to leave your house? How can you buy food when you can’t work?
I will have sat round a campfire, after a days work, singing songs and telling stories with some of these people. Outside the international market season we use the internet to keep in touch, and our community spans many land masses and language groups. Now some of them are selling digital downloads since they can’t make or export the things they make. Some have posted other ways people can show their support. Some are simply venting outrage. Others have posted that they will continue to stand their ground and continue to fulfil their orders.
With the help of artists in Kyiv I present this list of artists and traders, especially in the re-enactment community. Perhaps it is a way you can help, despite the state sponsored violence. Obviously, there are many things that could go wrong with any purchases you make, but I like the idea that new technology could beat barriers that break up communities.
Is continuing to make, and to shop, a non violent act of defiance? What about maintaining communication despite attempts to isolate people?
You could send messages to these shop owners and communicate until the networks go down, or data wall is built up.
Not all of the makers have been able to set up digital downloads, and in a war like this where the boundaries between civilian and soldier are not respected then no transactions are guaranteed.
PoleGlassShop www.etsy.com/shop/PoleglassShop*
Fern ceramics www.etsy.com/shop/FernCeramics*
Falcon house Jewellery https://www.etsy.com/shop/FALCONHOUSEjewellery
RogdaysCraftYarTur https://www.etsy.com/shop/RogdaysCraftYarTur
Aviceya www.etsy.com/shop/aviceya*
Historic Textile https://www.etsy.com/shop/HistoricalTextile
Roslynka www.etsy.com/shop/Roslynka*
Pagan store www.paganstore.net*
FALCONHOUSEjewellery www.etsy.com/shop/falconhousejewellery*
TanukDolotovaJewellery www.etsy.com/shop/tanukdolotova*
TopusCraft https://www.etsy.com/shop/TopusCraft
TriquetrumArt https://www.etsy.com/shop/TriquetrumArt
GooseberryCraftsUA www.etsy.com/shop/GooseberryCraftsUA*
Gibsongirldress https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Gibsongirldress
MomPug https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomPug
IronWoodsShop www.etsy.com/shop/IronwoodsShop*
Berloga workshop berloga-workshop.com/*
Joyssance www.etsy.com/shop/Joyssance
Ursula Jewelley https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/UrsulaJewelry
If anyone else is stuck with their mind frozen trying to make sense of the war – Here are some steps based on how being involved in this installation helped me.
Is recognising all the souls caught up in this – however they got there.
Is recognising the outrage you may feel that this is taking place. Or perhaps the courage shown in a story, or the horror in something you have seen.
Is to fold, and while you fold be mindful of what is happening.
Some, like me, might choose to carry the emotions to God in prayer, to ask why? Or to ask the Holy Spirit to hover round their souls. Or use written prayers or speak as inspired. I know others will have their own ways, and for some even the thought of religion will be a distraction. These steps are an offering from my art, not instructions I’m trying to impose.
Hopefully the installation communicates and is accessible to most people with integrity, whatever their politics or beliefs.
Having taken time out to reflect, hopefully you will be in a better place to choose how to act positively, or refrain from reacting negatively. The folded Angels are a visualisation of the process.
Repeat as required…Please copy the idea if you are inspired, send angels to add to our installation if that will help you. Talk to those you trust, and help each other by listening. Look out for other artistic responses…
The next Quartz lent meeting will be one of contemplative reflection. This basically means that people can talk, and be actively listened too, but it isn’t a time for critical bible study or deep rational analysis.
This balances up the other Lent meetings where we will by exploring set questions and discussion to work out answers.
Alison is bringing something to guide our reflections. She will start with the boutique image pictured in this post, and Psalm 42
Psalm 42 – NIV version at Bible Gateway
She has chosen this because of its contrasts between desolation and consolation, past and present.
We will meet in St Johns Church (The choir/green room) at 7.30 pm on Monday the 7th of March
Who would be interested in gathering round a table to spend time thinking about what it is to become a missional community?
I’ve had a basic introduction to this resource and it is an engaging tool for helping think about what church community is and could become.
There is a video describing it here:
It’s almost an hour long discussion about it! So not so much an advert, more an introduction to becoming a more missional community.