Prayer News January 2023

‘For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God’ – I Tim I: 6a

We step into 2023 with hope in our hearts.  Even in the midst of a world in crisis, we have confidence in Jesus who walked on water and calmed the storms and who is the answer to the world’s needs.  It was a joy to celebrate 200 years of Sannox Church last year.  As much as we praise God for all that has passed, we praise Him for all that he is enabling as we step into the future.

We are custodians of a heritage that we want to nurture and pass on.  We are passionate about our ministry to Arran, to Scotland, and to the Nations.  To serve this, we seek to kindle that Celtic fire which lies at the heart of the church in these lands.  There is no question that the church in our nation needs renewal by the Holy Spirit.  It is our desire that Sannox Christian Centre’s ministry will play a part in stoking the fire – to fan into flame the gift of God which is within us for the sake of the Kingdom!

As we turn the corner into a new year, we want to celebrate and give thanks for Andy Hall, who has served as Chair of the SCC Trustees Board in recent years as he moves on to new things.  We have valued Andy’s wisdom, prayerfulness and prophetic insight not only as Chair, but as a Trustee and Advisor through much of the journey of Sannox Christian Centre.  Andy will continue in his role as an Advisor, and we pray God’s blessing as he develops his preaching and teaching ministry throughout Scotland and beyond.

We are thankful for the willingness of George Hazel who has agreed to step into the role as Chair as we take the work and ministries of SCC forward.  In addition, we are delighted to welcome back the Rev Maggie Lane to our group of Advisors.

Thank you so much for being part of the journey of SCC.  We give thanks for your partnership on the gospel and in the development of our ministries..

Lord, as we come into 2023, we give thanks for…

• All those who have experienced Your presence at Sannox whether as resident guests or day visitors;
• The last Sannox Saturday held on 3rd December 2022. The first part was a time of worship led by Jim and teaching on the 2nd Advent led by Andy Hall. The second part was a Christmas concert by Celtish, again an amazing time of worship. It was great to welcome Celtish back to Sannox. We had about 23 attending both parts and the feedback was very positive;
• The faithful folk on Arran, in Scotland, the UK and overseas who support the Sannox vision in so many ways – through prayer, volunteering, hosting and financial giving;
• The provision of finances to meet all commitments, including a grant of £4000 from SSPCK given just before Christmas;
• The safe delivery of Ballachulish slates for the Manse roof renovation;
• For the ministry and service of Andy Hall and for George as he steps into the Chair of Trustees role.  We give thanks for Maggie too,.
• For our staff – Andrew, Jim, Heidi and Michelle – and our volunteers who faithfully support the work of SCC.

• The flow of resident guests and day visitors to continue and increase in 2023
• God to open doors to funds from Trusts and other grant-giving bodies to provide the finances required for the Manse renovation and new regular donors to lay a solid foundation in support of our staff and the general running costs. We have had a lot of extra expense over the past few months, from having to remove a rotten tree threatening the Gatehouse to necessary expenditure to comply with government regulations.
• The Trustees meeting on 26 January to consider future developments at Sannox after a period of prayer and fasting;
• For a good uptake of retreatants on our new online day retreats in January – March, and for our in-person day retreats in the Spring and Summer;
• Our staff and volunteers who minister through all seasons at Sannox

As we develop the ministry of SCC, we want to offer a new series of online ‘Zoom’ day retreats during the winter months at each end of the year.  Here are the opportunities coming up soon:

Saturday 21st January – ‘Dachaigh: the spirituality of being ‘home’
‘Daichaigh’ is the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘home’.  Join us for this online retreat led by Andrew Clark as he reflects on what it means to be home with God, within ourselves, and in the places we inhabit.

The day will open at 9.15am for a 9.30am start, through until 3pm.  There will be a mixture of online prayer and worship, teaching, group conversation and solo reflection offline as well as a break for lunch.

To book, and for more information, please email admin@sannox.org. Suggested donation for the day: £20.

Saturday 18th February – ‘Lessons from the Desert: a pre-Lenten Retreat’
Focussing on the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, this retreat helps us to prepare the heart for the season of Lent which invites us to make way for the resurrection celebration at Easter.  Come and learn some ancient pathways that can serve us today

The day will open at 9.15am for a 9.30am start, through until 3pm.  There will be a mixture of online prayer and worship, teaching, group conversation and solo reflection offline, as well as a break for lunch

To book and for more information please email admin@sannox.org.
Suggested donation for the day: £20.

We will also have some in-person day retreats beginning in the Spring/Summer.  Details to come.  Keep an eye on our website for upcoming events.

The monthly Sannox Saturdays – special times of worship, prayer and teaching – continue on the first Saturday of each month up to the end of the year, normally from 2 pm in Sannox Church.

Our next Sannox Saturday is on the 7th January 2023.  Andrew Clark will be speaking on ‘Kindling the Celtic Fire’ as we step into a year of seeking to understand our spiritual DNA and into all that God asks of us.  As ever, we are so grateful to Jim for his leadership of worship.

We are very pleased to tell you that one of our advisors, Francis McFaul has issued an album called ‘Song of the island’. It tells the story of 200 years of Christian witness at Sannox via songs and poetry.

The CD’s can be purchased direct from Sannox at a cost of £5 each, if collected or £6.15 if posted. To order email admin@sannox.org.

Please note that if ordered from Sannox the proceeds go directly into helping our finances.

Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 9 January 2023 (NB not the usual ‘first Monday!).  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.

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“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