November 2021- Prayer News

“God spoke: ‘Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and yes, Earth itself and every animal that moves on the face of the earth”  [Gen 1:26  The Message, emphasis added]

COP26, the UN Climate Conference which officially opens on 31 October, will bring around 190 world leaders and their delegations plus thousands of activists, demonstrators, lobbyists, company representatives, and members of many faith groups and organisations involved in climate, justice, development, nature conservancy and many other activities to Glasgow and central Scotland during the first 2 weeks of November for what will be the largest international gathering Scotland has ever hosted.

For many in the industrialised, urbanised ‘rich’ nations of the west, there is a ‘disconnect’ between how we live our lives and the impact this has on the world around us.  Many of us have lost the connection we once had with ‘the land’.  When we look back to our Celtic Christian roots we discover that they, like the Israelites of old, saw no distinction, no separation, between the ‘sacred’ and the ‘secular’ – all of life was ‘one whole’ of which humanity was a part – yet a part with a special responsibility – to steward creation well on behalf of the Creator.

Part of the Sannox vision is to provide a place of peace and reflection where that re-connection, that re-establishing of our relationship with the created world around us, can be facilitated and fostered.  Whatever happens in Glasgow during November, pray that this will be one of the outcomes experienced by those who spend time at the special place we know as Sannox.

• the beauty and amazing variety of Your Creation, especially for the beautiful island of Arran, where you have decided to ‘plant’ Sannox as a special place of Your presence;
• the programme of teaching events and prayer/worship gatherings successfully completed since June;
• the grant of £50,000 from the Joseph Rank Trust towards the costs of the Manse renovations;
• the good level of bookings since re-opening and the many day visitors;
• the ongoing valuable work carried out by the team of volunteers;
• the appointment of Kevin Lawrence, an experienced fundraiser, to take forward our applications to Trusts and grant-making bodies;
• the commitment by the editor of the Arran Banner to include a 2-page spread on Sannox and Project 200 prior to the December launch.

• Fiona Hazel as she takes up her appointment from 1 November as a Director on an interim basis to cover some of Margaret Lane’s responsibilities – in particular hosting, bookings, housekeeping and acting as line manager for the staff;
• the Directors as they continue to plan for Project 200 – especially for good contacts with local schools, for awareness to increase, and for the details of the programme for the official launch on 4 December;
• a good attendance at the online Celtic advent retreat on 11 December led by Roy Searle (see below)
• a good number of guests to book in for November and December – and for no disruption to ferries;
• favour on the revised Manse plans as these are considered by planning officials – that there will be no significant delays in granting approval;
• more funding for the Manse renovation and additional regular donors to lay a solid foundation in support of the general running costs;
• wisdom for the Directors as they meet in early November with some of those who have made recent offers of help – that those who ‘come on board’ would clearly be God’s choice;
• Rev Margaret lane and other key volunteers who currently face health challenges – that they would experience the Father’s loving arms around them and His healing power flowing through them.

November’s gathering at Sannox will be on Saturday 6 November, from 3pm – 5pm and will be led by George Hazel and Jim Farrell.  Content will include worship, thanksgiving for the recent funding, together with teaching and practical application regarding forms of Celtic Christian prayers using material provided by Roy Searle.

Please email Heidi at admin@sannox.org if you plan to attend, to help with preparations.

The weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December will see the launch of Project 200 – the year of celebrating the 200th anniversary of the completion of the original Church at Sannox – together with a ‘thanksgiving’ service to mark the 10 years of the current project.  Details of the programme and timings etc. are being finalised and will be circulated in the near future.

During the darkest period of the year, Advent invites us to reflect, prepare and anticipate the Christmas story and discover or be reminded of its power to inspire and influence our lives and the world for good.  The retreat day will provide an opportunity to pause and be drawn into the Christmas story and to explore its life transforming themes and its application to our lives, the church and the wider world.

The retreat will run from 9.00am – 3.00pm with breaks for tea / coffee and lunch, together with the opportunity to meet and share with other retreatants online.  The day will be led by Roy Searle and Kate Pozzo of the Northumbrian Collective.  The cost will be £20 and booking will be by Eventbrite.  Details will be added to the website and circulated to you all before the November prayer meeting.

Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 1 November.  Login details are;

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81283002022?pwd=QmdqQkJYeVNLV215SzdHMmFvNWkxQT09

Meeting ID: 812 8300 2022
Passcode: 905915

“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 Directors of Sannox Christian Centre