QuartzContinuing the theme of water. 23 Some went down to the sea in ships,doing business on the mighty waters;they saw the deeds of the Lord,his wondrous works in the deep.For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,which lifted up the waves of the sea.They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;their courage […]
It’s the summer, but just in case you are unable to take time out to stand on a bridge and watch the water, here is some light to bathe in. There is something important about the way in which just experiencing somethings builds us up. Or simply brings a smile to our faces and a […]
While I’m working on a report about all the activity over midsummer, here is a wee glimpse of some of the other art I have been working on. This is a set of nine illuminations described as fruit of the Spirit. Drawing them has helped me think about the presence of God. Perhaps a little […]
Some thoughts on bells Whilst researching making an early medieval bell (to use at Caerlaverock on Saturday) I stumbled on the Latin for ‘bell’ used in Irish/Scottish texts, which is Clocca. The similarity with “clock” struck me, and I went back to working metal. I then started wondering about ways of telling the time, as […]
Becoming a patron of the arts used to be the privilege of the rich. Perhaps it would be seen as a duty, perhaps an expression of power and social ambition. Sometimes simply a tax dodge, but on other occasions passionate patrons could bankrupt themselves leaving contributions they believed contributed to the good of society at […]
Here is a curiosity to reflect on today. This is a league table ranking countries by what they contribute globally relative to their size. You can read the definition of good which is used, how the rankings are calculated and view a breakdown into categories of contribution. https://www.goodcountry.org/index/about-the-index/ Can you imagine a world where our […]
Vicky Beeching is a former Christian music star and a popular religious commentator and media personality. She has emerged as a leading voice for Christian acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. In 2014, she came out in an interview with a national UK newspaper. “No one should have to choose between their religious […]
This organisation is based in the USA, and their primary focus is understandably on where they live. The shared heritage between the UK and USA means that a lot of it is relevant however. Tools for equality and inclusion. Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign is to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person is free […]
There is a tendency for LGBT discussions to polarise people. People respond both intellectually and emotionally to these issues as well. It is a common experience to find that ones intellectual response and emotional gut response are not in harmony. Reading someone else’s thoughts can help find words to refine ones own. The timeline on […]
Quartz Forest Church gathering 18.6.2023 This months forest Church will be a little different. It is midsummer midweek so we are doing special things on the weekends before and after it. Before: On the 18th of June at the usual time of 14.00 and usual place outside the Crichton chapel we will be training to contribute […]