Blog – Page 11 – Quartz at St Johns Dumfries

Sabbath

Post author By admin
Post date 19/03/2023
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Forest Church, Mothering Sunday

I wonder what your experience of mothering is?

Or how many various experiences both positive and negative contribute to your understanding of what mothering and motherhood is?

How does that relate to husbandry?

As Quartz Forest Church we have been meeting in a very managed estate for over a year now. The grass is mown, the flowerbeds weeded and it is as well managed as a family offered up for a morning service in their Sunday best clothes.

Even in the most pristine and culturally conservative setting though, verses from the bible challenge the status quo. The rich and respectable are warned that it is the poor and marginalised who more often recognise the prophets. Those who lead armies are reminded that the king of the world won through mounting a cross and in dying fulfilled the promise of creation. Even in the texts there is a wildness that challeges human rationality. An earthy humour that pokes fun at us when we elevate our religion to an untouchable status and make it sterile.

Likewise, even within this managed estate, whether that is described as husbandry or mothering, there is an uncontrollable energy. We will take time out this Sunday to look for the deep green and echoes of wild vitality. We will pause to sense ways in which the landscape reminds us that we are participants in our relationship with the rest of creation. Even though we shape the landscape, our environment also shapes us.

Please join us at 2pm if you are near Dumfries, or send comments from wherever you are in the world!

The next Forest Church gathering for April will be on Easter Sunday

Tags #SensingChallenge, #SensingMystery, #SensingSpirituality

Creative Worship Forest Church Lent2023

Planning

Post author By admin
Post date 19/03/2023
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We are entering the final stages of planning our Easter weekend activities.

Are you interested in a pilgrimage to St Ninians cave on Easter Saturday?

On Easter Sunday we are having a Forest Church picnic on the banks if the Nith near Nunholm, across the water from Lincluden. Will you be joining us?

More info here

Theology Thought of the Day

Lavender Haze

Post author By admin
Post date 18/03/2023
1 Comment on Lavender Haze

Lavender Haze and the Struggle for Egalitarian Marriage by Liz Cooledge Jenkins

Who defines marriage? This article discusses issues inherited from the 1950’s that are still influencing behaviour.

https://wp.me/p1zXM8-gb3

When does liberation become lassez-fair?

Community

Easter Sunday

Post author By admin
Post date 17/03/2023
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9/04/2023

Join us for a #SensingSpirituality walk starting at 1pm outside St Johns Church in Dumfries. We will walk along the river until we meet up with the sight of fish warming over coals by the water.

Gather opposite Lincluden Abbey on the beach from 1.30 There is a car park at the end of the Nunholm road, then walk downstream.

The cocoon develops

Our “Transformation” lent project continues.

People have been writing down the things they want to “let go of” so they can transform. The have also been adding the things they are “taking up” to aid their transformation.

Letting go and taking up

Perhaps this is a little like dieting and going to the gym. Giving up bad food habits, and taking up exersise.

We are about half way through Lent now, and the cocoon is taking shape in St John’s building. Look out for a few surprises still to come!

#SensingSpirituality Lent2023

Easter Saturday

8/04/2023

Come with us on a journey back in time to explore the roots of Christianity in the British Isles.

We are heading west to Whithorn, more details on this page!

Easter 2023

RSVP here:

Community Creative Worship Fresh Expressions

The vision

Post author By admin
Post date 03/03/2023
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This came in from Kate.

Have you ever read “The Vision” poem? Here is an opportunity:

The Vision

What is 24-7 prayer about?

What inspires you?

Does anything worry you?

Write, draw, sing, or dance your response!

Arts Lent Transformation 2023

Transformation

Thoughts becoming visible as layers

Contemplating the initial construction of the willow frame — Building the Frame

Quartz Community Lent Project for 2023

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Rom 12v2. NKJV

We are making a willow and paper sculpture over the weeks of Lent which is on the theme of Transformation. The sculpture will start as a cocoon and represents the process of personal transformation that we all go through as we approach Easter.

Is there anything we want to let go of?

Is there anything we want to take on in the coming weeks?

Explaining the process — Explaining the Idea

Everyone will have an opportunity to contribute to the cocoon by writing words on paper which can be added to the structure. The cocoon will develop throughout the six weeks of Lent in surprising ways.

Writing thoughts on paper, ready to be pasted to the cocoon

These words will symbolise our commitment to moving forward in our lives – and the sculpture will change and develop as we approach Easter!

No special art skills are required – we would like as many folk as possible to take part…thank you for your contributions.

“Spinning” a shell on the cocoon

If you e-mail quartz@wordsmithcrafts.co.uk then we will add your contribution, so you can take part wherever you are!

Arts

Encouragement and Inspiration

Post author By Simon Lidwell
Post date 24/02/2023
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I was sent this bible reference to encourage me.

The reasoning being, if God inspired these artists, then we should have confidence that our art can also be evidence of God working through us. Life is about more than deep thoughts, polished sermons, or even charitable giving. The text by a monk calling himself Theophilus that is used as a picture on this post expands on that theme.

Exodus 35:30ish

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.”
Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.”
Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.