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Arts

Encouragement and Inspiration

I was sent this bible reference to encourage me. The reasoning being, if God inspired these artists, then we should have confidence that our art can also be evidence of God working through us. Life is about more than deep thoughts, polished sermons, or even charitable giving. The text by a monk calling himself Theophilus […]

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Arts Creative Worship

“Christmas Light” review

During Advent in 2022 Quartz used visual arts to give people the opportunity to contemplate how they shape light entering the world. We made several mobiles, strings of mirrors, that were hung in the building. They were beautiful to look at, and many people commented that the installation helped them contemplate. The process of making […]

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Arts Thought of the Day

Peace

This picture is one of my early ones. It has been useful a couple of times recently. This morning I was thinking about peace as I stood in to help out at a commemoration of remembering the day that Bruce killed Comyn in Greyfriars, Dumfries. The opportunity to help arose as a result of connections […]

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#SensingSpirituality Arts Creative Worship Fresh Expressions Interweave

Interweave – Internet

How the digital world can help us worship at 6pm on Sunday the 29th of January we will be gathering in St Johns to use digital technology to worship together, and also explore ways in which access to the digital world can help us live out the Missio Dei, the mission of God. In the […]

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Arts Christmas Light

Sparkling White

Did you know that part of the inspiration behind the name “Quartz” is the shining or sparkling white of St Ninians foundation at Whithorn? It can be argued that the whole of the British Isles gained the name “Alba” in antiquity because of the “chalky white” cliffs in the south. “Candida” Casa uses a word […]

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Arts Christmas Light

Nuggets of Joy

As part of the “Christmas Light” collaborative installation we have been working with pupils at Dumfries High School. In their class they have been thinking about the meaning of Christmas for Christians, and also the symbolism of light. As part of this they have been thinking about how they can be “Lights” in the world […]

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Arts Christmas Light

Coffee and crafting

We are working away and sticking peoples symbols to mirrors. Every ‘Nugget of Joy’ will contribute to the overall effect. This Sunday, the 18th of December, will see the first component of the artwork installed. As well as for regular services, the building is open for prayer and reflection between 10.30 and 4 each day. […]

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Arts Community Creative Worship

Memories

Selected by human rather than algorithm, here is a memory of what was going on in Quartz three or four years ago! I wonder what is quietly germinating in the ground this winter ready to burst out in the next three of four years!

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Arts Thought of the Day

Angels

The featured photos are of a piece of interactive art in a cafe about five years ago. They have spread though facebook and pop will pop in memories for years to come. Another addition to the colourful expression of life in winter. But have you ever wondered if Angels are real, and if so what […]

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Arts Christmas Light

Nuggets of Christmas Light

As part of the Christmas installation this year we have been asking people to recognise the ways in which they bring light into the world, and their relationships. They have been writing words and drawing symbols as described elsewhere on this site. Here are some of the symbols of the “Nuggets of Joy” which have […]