| Summary Prayer Points
· Give thanks for our Friends of Sannox who support us in so many ways. We bless you and pray for you in the name of Jesus. |
| More Details on Prayer Points
Prayers for our Friends We appreciate all of our Friends of Sannox who support us in so many ways. We are praying for each of you by name through this difficult time. Please contact us if you would like us to pray for specific things through Heidi, our administrator, at admin@sannox.org. These will be kept confidential. Directors/Trustees We have to announce that Barbara McNeice, one of our Directors/Trustees, has asked to step down as a Director/Trustee. Barbara feels God is calling her to focus on intercessory prayer and needs to withdraw from being a Director. She is still committed to the vision and work at Sannox, will be actively involved in prayer ministry and be a volunteer at SCC. The Directors/Trustees thank Barbara for her vision and work over the years. She was instrumental in the formation of Sannox and we bless her in the name of Jesus in her new role, both at Sannox and beyond. Here is the statement that she gave us for our record: “I am writing to confirm my decision to stand down from the office of Trustee/Director of Sannox Christian Centre as of 15th May 2020. I continue to choose to stand daily in the place I was called to in childhood and my prayer is that we see Jesus build His church here, on Arran, in Scotland and in the Nations beyond – as He promised! I give thanks for the many people who have responded to this vision and who have sown into the work at Sannox in any way. I ask the Lord to continue to Bless the ongoing work and to call in more labourers as we are few!” |
| Prayers for the Future
Re-opening of SCC: Pray for us as we begin to plan for the re-opening of the centre. We do not know when this will be but need to put in place an action plan in line with the rules and regulations to keep our staff, volunteers and guests safe at all times. Re-setting This has been a period of re-setting our lives and priorities, both personally, workwise and within our churches. God is challenging us to look at the way we did things and to consider how these might change in the future. We feel this is an opportune time to re-set all aspects of SCC. Pray for the Directors, other Board Members and the operations team as we listen to God and re-visit our vision, priorities and ministries at SCC. What is God saying to us with respect to our role in His church in the future? What are our priorities? What is the right structure and who are the right people to deliver all of that? The Church on Arran The churches on Arran will undergo a huge change of personnel over the next year. All three of the Church of Scotland Ministers are due to retire or leave and the Free Church is vacant. In the light of this changing situation, what is SCC’s role? Is God doing a new thing on the island and are we seeing a new model of doing church emerging? We are part of Arran Churches Together and will work with the Christian community on Arran to seek God’s will and His plans. |
| June Zoom Prayer Gathering
We held our second Zoom virtual prayer gathering on the 4 May which was great and again worked well. Around 33 people linked in across the UK, including Arran. It was so good to see friends from so many areas and to share and pray together. Our third Sannox Zoom Prayer Gathering is on Monday 1 June 2020 at 8 pm. As we did last month we will circulate the Zoom link with instructions, as a separate email, to our Friends of Sannox, so watch out for that! Please join us. George will open the meeting at 7.45 so we can chat and welcome each other. |
| Restoration of the church and manse
The contractor continues to progress the interior of the church and has fitted the secondary glazing windows (see photos). Other work is proceeding as well – eg cutting the grass and fitting grab rails to the accessible toilet and ensuite toilet downstairs in Dundarroch. |
|
|
|
|
| We are delighted to report that since the last prayer news, we have received further donations that will cover the AV system and the oak flooring. Indeed, the money received will allow us to purchase a hot water dispenser and a sterilizing dish washer for the new church kitchen. So, God has provided everything we asked for, the church, new kitchen and toilets will be ready for the centre’s reopening later in the year. Over the past 3 months we have received £10,000 in donations. This means that the Lord has provided over £250,000 for the refurbishment of the church. Thanks be to God and His people. |
| Finances
Monthly Donations Thanks to all of you who are continuing to support us on a monthly basis during this difficult time. Operational Costs We are pleased to report that although our income has dropped, due to the centre being closed to guests, the Third Sector Resilience Fund grant and the Job Retention Scheme grant mean that we are covering our operational costs, including the Stewardship Loan. However, this situation is temporary and we do need to increase our monthly giving and our guest income when the centre re-opens later in the year. |
| Events
Midweek Retreat led by Roy Searle – Monday 29 June to Thursday 2 July – This is under review. It is likely that this will have to be postponed until later in the year. Bible Study Weekend – Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2020 – This is under review and may have to be postponed.
We bless you, in the name of Jesus, to receive all that the Father has for you and 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. |