Categories
2021 Review Fresh Expressions report

Planting and Adaptation

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. Activities like Interweave, All Age Worship, Second Sunday and Housegroups best fall into this category. They are all activities which draw from recognised models of Church and adapt […]

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. […]

Categories
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?

Categories
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 Arts Creative Worship

Reflection in the Nith

Just over year ago I spent a while reflecting by the river Nith. https://vimeo.com/410546889 By the end of the year the reflection had spread onto the land. And then into the high street. And, of course, this involved a fair bit of experimentation in and around my workshop. And even some board games.

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 […]