Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions report

Build as a guest

This post is part of a series forming a review of Quartz activity. For an introduction and overview of the report start here at the “Sabbatical” post. Sometimes the church is invited to contribute to the life of the community. As a guest there are responsibilities, but also there is a welcome and a recognition […]

Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions report

Sabbatical

Introduction This post is an introduction and overview. Within each section there is a link, giving you the opportunty to read more (and watch videos or download files) about that type of activity on its own post, and then link back here. My time on sabbatical is drawing to a close. One of the questions […]

Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions report

Establishing new worshipping communites

If St John’s were to send missionaries to New Zealand, would the congregation expect numerical growth within the DG1 building as a result? The geographical distance would be too great. Would they expect those interested in Christianity to wear British clothes, learn to speak English and adopt the economic models and values of middle class […]

Categories
Fresh Expressions report

Walking with …

This post is part of a series forming a review of Quartz activity. For an introduction and overview of the report start here at the “Sabbatical” post. “Pioneers venture into the edges of postmodern culture exploring spirituality alongside fellow seekers and nomads“ The communities Quartz has walked closest with are the Heritage and Arts communities. […]

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Creative Worship Fresh Expressions Thought of the Day

What is creative spirituality?

Insight, relationship … balance of practical needs and the things that one struggles to express in words. The desire to leave this world having made a recognised mark? What do you think and feel?

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Arts Creative Worship Fresh Expressions Mission Thought of the Day

Creative Worship

In the 1980’s and 90’s something called “Alternative Worship” emerged. What happened, where did the explosion of creative energy lead, how many of the communities are still recognisable and what are the people who were involved doing now? As a start, here are some links to introduce readers who may be unfamilar with the concept. […]

Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions

Blacksmithing

Quartz is a partnership between Wordsmithcrafts and St John’s church. What is Wordsmithcrafts though, and why would it form a partnership with a church? The tagline of Wordsmithcrafts is that it helps people learn about their past, so that they can understand their present, and create better futures. Over the years it has become a […]

Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions

Sensing

(Click the box above to view a glideshow) It is difficult to describe what this service looked like. It would have been unfamiliar to many, but contains very familiar themes. The slide show above is of a presentation that was projected onto a screen. Masking tape was used to trace out a diagram of senses […]

Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions Thought of the Day

Pioneering

What does pioneering look like? Perhaps some of you are thinking about the wild west. Cutting blazes on trees to mark a path through the Appalachian forests? Or Royal Naval officers blundering foolhardy into unmapped landscapes determined to preserve their Englishness through custom and dress, even if it meant frostbite and cannibalism. Books like Kepharts […]

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2021 Review Creative Worship Fresh Expressions

A Typical 3 Months

What does a typical 3 Months in Quartz look like? This is a bit like asking what typical weather is like in a Scottish day. There will be a recognisable constant of four seasons, and at certain times of the year it is more probable that one will dominate the others. It is quite likely […]