Category: Fresh Expressions

Talking Jesus

This is a report by the evangelical alliance. It follows on from one in 2015 which you can download here.

The questions have been updated slightly for their 2022 report and you can read all about it here:

(best viewed on a desktop – click on it to go full screen, press escape to exit full screen)

By there definitions they reckon that about 6% of the UK population are practicing Christians, but that over 40% will self identify as Christian. Read the report for the precise numbers and analysis though!

Here are some snapshot of the statistics

What proportion of our Church resources is allocated to work with these ages?

It looks like having a presence online where people can find help in their spiritual search is in the top four places people are looking. An active YouTube channel ranks favourably with visiting a building.

Food for thought?

These reports are of course very broad brush, and there will be variations within localities as well as between the nations that make up the UK. See the footnotes in the report for the start of a discussion about this

Forest Church Thought of the Day

Markerposts

“we are held here by all the things I cannot see”

some words and music to contemplate today.

https://findingthewords.online/index.php/2023/05/16/markerposts/

Click the link for music ans lyrics once you are in a place where you can sit back, listen, and contemplate.

Tags #SensingMystery, #SensingSpirituality

#SensingSpirituality Fresh Expressions

Sensing Spirituality

If you look on the website you will hopefully see that a new option has been added to the main menu. #SensingSpirituality has been a theme running through Quartz activities from around 2015. This means that we have built up a track record of resources, both in ideas and experiments where we test those ideas out. Some of the time we even manged to get photos and written descriptions of what we were doing!

These are (slowly) being added to this website. They are also available in a draft printable text copy. The online version will be able to go beyond the limitations of print though, and allows readers to dip in and out finding out what interests them.

You can get access to both of versions by using the menu button or by clicking this link

Please comment, share and get in touch if you want to become involved in developing this sort of thing. If you have been involved, get in touch sot that we can add your memories to the resource as well.

Tags #SensingSpirituality

Fresh Expressions prayers

Christian Mysticism

Something to add to the menu for midsummer?

https://christianmysticsummit.com/

Arts Fresh Expressions

Green Men

Post author By admin
Post date 04/05/2023
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Whatever your views on the coronation, it will be a topic of discussion. Side stepping the political issues of the relevance of the monarchy to Scotland and the UK as a whole, there is a discussion going on about what some of the visual art used on the coronation invite means.

Have you heard of “Green Men” before?

A quick search will find many green men.

There are many expert studies on the origin and meaning of “Green Men” carved into the fabric of Church buildings. The following is not one of them. It does however provide a quick and easy read with ideas of where to go to find out more.

A little research will help provide opportunties for us to take part in the continually growing exploration, understanding, and expression of spirituality. Deeper reflection on why this quite early mediaeval symbol is relevant now could provide insight into the harvest Jesus promised, but which modern gatherings of church are finding it difficult to reap.

When is a Myth Not a Myth: The Origins of the Green Man

The article also raises some questions about the importance of myth, how it functions, and the role meaning plays in the imagined reality that informs our daily lives.

How much of our every day opinions are shaped by things we are barely aware of? How often do we examine the reliability of what we assume is normal.

Less well known are the “Sheila na gig” carvings, and have you ever wondered what the shape the bishop stands in on the scottish episcopal logo?

Forest Church Lent2023

Easter Sunday Forest Church

Post author By admin
Post date 28/04/2023
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Gathering by the water to eat fish and share stories

A shingle beach leading down tot he river Nith — Where the River Nith meets the Cluden water at Lincluden

This Forest Church experience was set up to provide participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the gospel stories where the disciples meet with Jesus at the waters edge, and share fish roasted over coals with him.

This is a popular spot for people to gather and enjoy swimming in the river. It is a short walk from town, but the scrub woodland and ruined Abbey provide a boundary to create a sanctuary of wild space hidden right next to the A75. Easter was early enough in the year for us to be sharing the beach with only one other group though – and dog walkers.

Those who came brought food with them as well. We shared the fire and enjoyed discovering what everyone had brought. As we sat and cooked we took it in turns to tell sections of the story of Easter. Starting in the upper room where Jesus gathered with his disciples to break bread and drink wine. The stories were interlaced with reflections and songs. The story wove its way through time until we met it again in a shared experience of sitting by water and enjoying the sharing of food and drink in the presence of Jesus.

As a mark of the day some people chose to cast a cross in a simple soapstone mould. In itself melting the metal, purifying it with fire and then watching it take the shape prepares for it, can be a symbolic and heartfelt action. The cross which is cast then needs cleaning and can be carried as a reminder and connection to the experience throughout the year.

Tags #Creative Worship, #ForestChurch, #SensingSpirituality, Creative Worship

climate change Creative Worship Forest Church Thought of the Day

Reforesting

Post author By admin
Post date 19/04/2023
1 Comment on Reforesting

This article is from 2019, but is shows what an artist (with help from their sponsors and friends) can do. It is a story of finding hope in reforestation.

https://www.dw.com/en/in-brazil-photographer-sebastiao-salgado-finds-hope-in-reforestation/a-50877571

This is closer to home, in England and Wales. “A Rocha” work internationally as well.

Eco Church

And at a Scottish level this page has some info and resources from the Scottish Episcopal Church.

https://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/organisation/boards-and-committees/the-provincial-environment-group/

Forest Church Fresh Expressions

Sabbath pt.II

Post author By admin
Post date 21/03/2023
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Here are some photos from the March Forest Church meet up. We started at the Crichton and ended with the geese by the river Nith.

Join us for Easter Weekend!

Alternative link to the glideshow

https://express.adobe.com/page/6kOW0doN5ONlk

Forest Church Fresh Expressions

Sabbath

Post author By admin
Post date 19/03/2023
No Comments on Sabbath

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