Prayer News – July 2023

Some time ago, Pete Greig, the key catalyst for the 24/7 prayer movement, was asked the question, ‘What is the vision?’  His answer came to him in poetic form, but basically, the answer was ‘Jesus’ – Jesus is the vision.  Every ministry, church or organisation that owns and proclaims the name of Jesus ought to be able to answer quite categorically in the same way.  Jesus is the vision.  He is the centre, the cornerstone, the hope, the aim, the goal, the beginning and the end – Alpha and Omega… in everything!

It’s no less true for us here at Sannox.  We shouldn’t really be surprised, but even today a guest without much of a faith connection articulated the sense of peace and ‘tranquillity’ (his word) with the presence of the church on this site.  He was sensing this was a prayed-in place, and that heaven and earth converged to create what the Celtic saints would have called a ‘thin place’ – a place where God is tangibly present.

God comes to us amazingly in the face, person and presence of Jesus by his Holy Spirit.  We never want to take this for granted and want to continually be aware that he is the vision, and it is ultimately a dual ‘beholding’ that takes place here – He beholds us, and we behold him.  The vision is to maintain that gaze!

We pray that it is so in your lives too.  May He be your centre.

Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 3rd July.  We look forward to praying and worshipping together with as many of you as possible.   Prayer underpins all we seek to do for the advancement of God’s Kingdom – please join us if you can.

Contact us for the Zoom details.

• The significant increase in guest bookings through June to September.
• Increased donations that have arrived over the past few weeks to help cover operational costs.
• The recent opportunity to welcome Corrie Primary School onto the grounds to have their picnic during their recent sponsored walk.
• The blessing of recent Sannox Saturdays and the ongoing way God is using these to encourage

• The opportunity Andrew and Jim have to represent Sannox Christian Centre at the Refuel festival at the end of July.  Andrew will be teaching some Bible reading and creative prayer workshops.
• The final preparations for the Autumn’s in-person and online retreats moving into the winter.  Also, for the 2024 retreats and events programme
• God to open doors to funds from Trusts and other grant-giving bodies to provide the finances required for the Manse renovation. £50,000.00 would enable us to get the roof on the manse and secure and protect the structure before winter. It would also enable us to reach 50 % of the money required so we can apply to some of the larger grant-awarding organisations who stipulate that we must have raised at least 50% of the total.
• Continue to pray for new regular donors to lay a solid foundation in support of our staff and the general running costs, the latter of which have increased significantly.
• For continuing plans for our Open Days, Arran Open Studios, Brodick Highland Games, and for other opportunities to participate in island life.

The monthly Sannox Saturdays – special times of worship, prayer and teaching – continue on the first Saturday of each month. We start at 2 pm with a cuppa and a catch up and we enter into worship by 2.30pm.  We usually finish by 4pm

Our next Sannox Saturday is on the 1st July.  This month, we have the Rev Neil Urquhart from Fullarton Connexions Church of Scotland visiting us to share the story of around 30 years of transformative gospel ministry in the town of Irvine.  Many have been brought to Christ, there is a vibrant worshipping congregation, and the body of Christ is being built up to minister.  We will surely be encouraged by Neil’s testimony of his long and faithful ministry there.

Brodick Highland Games
5th August 2023

We look forward to the opportunity to partner with Arran Baptist Church in being able to bring over an Ayrshire-based Prayer Van (www.theprayervan.co.uk) ministry to enable a Christian presence at the island’s highland games.  If you’d like to support the event as part of the team, do let us know!

Sannox Stitches Knitting Retreat

8th – 10th September

Join us for a few days to rest, restore, renew and refresh…and knit/crochet/weave!!  Each day is framed with optional times of worship, reflection and prayer but with plenty of time to knit and chat together. There will be an opportunity to take part in a Knitalong, or to work on your own Works-In-Progress! We hope to include demos and workshops with local island fibre artists too.

Suggested donation for the Retreat: £30.   Suggested donation for accommodation: £35pppn.

PLEASE NOTE:  the accommodation for this event is now completely booked up.  You’d still be welcome to attend the content of the retreat on the basis that you have made other arrangements for accommodation.

Day Retreat:  The Way of Aidan – ‘Fire in the Heart’
Saturday 23rd September, 2023 9.30am – 3.30pm

Join us for a day’s retreat exploring the life, heart and ministry of the Irish monk Aidan, who was sent from Columba’s Iona monastery to establish the gospel in Oswald’s Northumbria.  We take time to take inspiration from a man who walked with Christ in a pagan world as we seek to be faithful to Christ in our day.

Suggested donation for the day’s retreat:  £20.
Bring a packed lunch.  Drinks provided through the day.

Day Retreat: ‘Open the Book – hearing God in Scripture’

Saturday 21st October, 2023 9.30am – 3.30pm

We spend the day focussing on ways to approach God’s word to nourish our relationship with him.

Suggested donation for the day’s retreat:  £20.
Bring a packed lunch.  Drinks provided through the day.

Online Zoom Retreat: ‘Rhythms of Life’
Saturday 18th November, 2023 9.30am – 3.30pm

We take time out to take note of the gentle rhythms of grace in our lives and to notice where God is moving, leading and guiding us in this season.

Suggested donation for the day’s retreat:  £20

Online Zoom Half-Day Retreat: ‘Celtic Advent’
Saturday 16th December, 2023 9.30am – 12.30pm

We prepare our hearts to welcome Christ with the help of the Celtic saints.

Suggested donation for the morning’s retreat: £10.

“Today I choose to stand in this place you have called me to,
And I declare that You are a Mighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Your Kingdom shall endure and will never be shaken.
Open the windows of Heaven and pour out Your promised blessings in this generation.
Revive us, restore us and heal our land.
Thank you for going before us to open the way and remove all obstacles.
Increase our Faith, stir up Hope and keep us grounded and walking in Love.
Thank you that You are creating a dwelling place for God and man here – in Sannox, on Arran, for the nations.
Amen”

We bless you in the name of Jesus, to receive all that the Father has for you, and we thank you for your continuing support of His work at SCC.  Be blessed and protected in all you do for the Kingdom, in the mighty and beautiful name of Jesus.

The Trustees of Sannox Christian Centre