Sanctuary First

In this edition of the Weekly Review the team are asking - What are the big issues facing our world today that are demanding leadership? And what kind of leadership is needed? In politics, industry, church, culture, the arts… and on the street where you live? Do the leadership styles promoted by world leaders influence other sectors? How does our local legacy of Presbyterianism in Scotland shape how we model leadership in our churches? What kind of leadership example did Jesus set? Joining the team to discuss this is our Daily Worship writer Peter Neilson. Peter is a longstanding friend of Sanctuary First and a leader with over 45 years of experience of ministry in parish and national roles who has worked to support other ministers. In his week Peter has been discussing the importance of presence, justice, sovereignty, joy, encouragement and discernment for leaders.

Imagination is a powerful thing - it can allow us to unlock our potential and to innovate, but it can also be a form of escapism. Rather than living life in all its fullness we can use our imaginations to tune out and switch off. How do we help one another to imagine new ways of being here and thriving rather than new ways of getting away from it all? What role do we have as communities of faith in helping people engage their imaginations in a way that doesn’t allow them to turn their backs on the hardships and injustices of the world? Join us for another fun, wideranging informal installment of the Weekly Review. How do poetry and prayer use language to lead us deeper in to reality? Joining the team to discuss this and much more is our Daily Worship writer this week is Rev Dr Val Hindmarsh, Associate Minister, Norbury Parish Church who has a background in education and literacy.

How do you worship God? A classic example of a sentence with multiple meanings depending on where you place the stress: How do you worship God? or How do you worship God? The team will explore the ‘how’ and the ‘you’ of worship. What does worship mean to each of us? We often use the term as a shorthand for church services in general or singing hymns in particular — but there are many ways of praising God. How do you worship? What helps you to connect and tune in? Quiet and calm or noise and vividness? Continuity or spontaneity? Music? Nature? Art? Reading? Journalling? And how does worship transform us an individuals and as communities? Our worship reminds us we are citizens of heaven - how does that inform how we live as citizens on earth? The team are joined by our Daily Worship writer this week Gordon Kennedy, Parish Minister of Craiglockhart Parish Church, Edinburgh. Gordon also contributed to our recent Sunday Live service ‘Set Free To Worship’ which is available to watch as a replay.

For this edition of the Weekly Review Albert, Laura, James and Iain are joined by special guest Sandy Smith: an expert on the celebrated author and thinker C.S. Lewis. They discuss Lewis’s enduring appeal and his particular relevance to the times we are living in. Sandy also tells us about the new Sanctuary First book group he is hosting that reads through Lewis’s Surprised by Joy.

For this edition of the Weekly Review the team are joined by our Daily Worship writer for the week Dan Harper, Parish Minister of Bridge of Allan Parish Church. Dan has had a returning motif in this series of tuning in to hope, justice and love. As a group we will be wondering if there is a unique role that Christian churches and communities can play in a time of recession and societal restructuring. We will be chatting about leadership, community and worship as we anticipate our new theme for October ‘Living Freedom Through Recession’.

​In this edition of the Weekly Review Albert, Laura, James and Iain are joined by Laura Vermeulen. Laura is a volunteer worker in a Christian community in Greece working with refugees. We discuss identity, calling and trembling!

What makes us the church? What does church mean in the Square Mile, the Green Mile, the Difficult Miles and when you’re going the Extra Mile? Albert, Laura, Iain and James are joined by this week’s Daily Worship writer Campbell Dye to discuss what it means to be the church in a time of pandemic.

Albert and James are joined by the missiologist Les Henson and the musician and SF contributor Jim Steel.

​Albert, Linda and Iain are joined by Julie Barr, this weeks prayer writer.

Tonight the Weekly Review dream team of Laura, Albert, Iain and James consider the importance of unity as we consider how we are going to have to come together as a wider society to face the tasks ahead. Unity is vital in our families, in our churches, between band members and co-hosts…

This week our guest is Erick du Toit and the theme is music and how it has shaped our culture starting with the influence of Elvis.

‘Setting Out’ This week the gang are chatting about what it means to pause and draw breath before heading out on the ‘next stage’ in your life. Thinking of those facing new challenges in education, work, family and wider life with special guest trainee minister George Sneddon!

Laura and Iain are joined by Rhona & James Cathcart and Jane & Jack Steel!

NEW PODCAST - Check out our new podcast and the first of this podcast series! In this series we will chat to some of the talented artists involved with the Secret Chord Sessions project, about there inspirations and music This episode we are talking to Ian Paget about his song ‘Simon Says’ which is currently the featured song on the chord sessions. The song was recorded in isolation in lockdown from the safety of Ian’s own home. You can also listen to this podcast on Apple Music and on Spotify HERE Listen to ‘Simon Says’ HERE

​Albert and Laura are joined by James Cathcart and Iain Jamieson. Watch the video version of the show HERE.

In ‘Christian Creatives’, a new fortnightly podcast series, Laura Digan discusses sources of inspiration, practicalities and managing confidence with creatives from different disciplines. In this second episode Laura interviews doctor and musician, Iain Jamieson. Each week, to encourage you to grow your creative skills and confidence, the featured artist will set a creative activity for you to take part in. Check out the blog post to see Iain’s activity. Have fun with it!

Join Albert and Laura with guest Liz Crumlish

Join Albert and Laura with guests Erick du Toit and Ian Ferguson

In ‘Christian Creatives’, a new fortnightly podcast series, Laura Digan discusses sources of inspiration, practicalities and managing confidence with creatives from different disciplines. In this second episode Laura interviews artist Morven Robertson. Each week, to encourage you to grow your creative skills and confidence, the featured artist will set a creative activity for you to take part in. Check out the blog post to see Morven’s activity. Have fun with it!