Quartz is a partnership between St John’s Dumfries and Wordsmith Crafts CIC. Simon is supported a day a week to work flexibly to support Quartz activities, maintain this site and help people use the arts to experience, explore, and express spirituality through the arts, and for those that choose to, to enter into our heritage […]
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St Mungo
Tuesday the 13th of January is a day to remember the life and witness of St Kentigern. Also known as Mungo, his two names are a good introduction to his story. Kentigern is a princely name. A path he could have chosen to follow as the son of a princess. It might mean something like […]
Quartz has a WhatsApp group where members share “Glimmers” moments when they recognise the presence of God in their daily lives. This can be a picture, or text, and it helps us keep in touch even when we are not in the same place for a while. When we share pictures though, are we simply […]
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Heroes
Today is David Bowies Birthday. This post is inspired by one of the songs he wrote. In Quartz we have practiced techniques known as Lectio Divina, and Terra Divina. These inform contribute to various attempts to increase the practice of the presence of God. Music is important in the life of many worshiping communities. I […]
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26th of January QFC
Forest Church to start the year! Time is a funny thing. To what extent do we experience it, and to what extent do we create systems to manage our experience of it? There are many calendars which could be used to track the beginning of the new year. Julian or Gregorian? Church festivals, or community, […]
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Echoes!
Whilst looking for something else I was stumbled upon this wee presentation. It is a review of the projects we grouped together under the name of “Outerweave”. Coming soon in 2026 we will be running some Quartz “Faith and Art” workshops. 4 sessions of 2 hrs each. #sensingspirituality, drawing thoughts, weaving connections, colouring light. They […]
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Merry Christmas!
Here is a collection of the images that have been on the Quartz website in Advent. The theme celebrates the miracle that flesh thinks. Dust and breath combine. From the beginning, and for ever. Canopy of stars St John’s building is open for prayer and reflection. We have filled the sky indoors with echos of […]
Here is a collection of posters with information about what is on around Dumfries this Advent and Christmas! 4pm Christingles! Candles, fruit, deep symbolism – and sweets. What could be more family friendly 🙂 The River of Life are offering food to give away and a warm place to gather. More information about what’s on […]
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Connections
Assembly This is an assembly which Simon will present at DHS in the run up to Christmas. This is part of “Time for Reflection” in Schools. These can be described as events which provide the pupils with an opportunity to reflect on the invisible qualities which make human being more than simply the physical senses. […]
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Forest Church Dec 2025
We are not gathering as Forest Church this month. Instead of our usual 3rd Sunday meet up, people are sending in photos of their experiences of God where they are. A common theme that arises while we discuss Forest Church is the relationship between “nature” and “not nature”. As humans we are always part of […]
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Glimmers
Throughout advent Quartz members have been sending in texts, links and photos as examples of moments when they have recognised the presence of God in everyday life. We have a WhatsApp group where we share these. They encourage us to practice #SensingSpirituality in every day life. The more you practice the better you get at […]