Prayer News May 2022

“The Lord is faithful to all his promises.”   [Psalm 145:13b]

As many of you reading this will know, the Sannox story to date is one of God’s wonderful faithfulness to His promises, and His provision in terms of finances, favour with planning authorities, materials – and especially people – the supporters, the volunteers serving in so many different ways on and off site, and the Sannox staff.

Heidi our Administrator and Michelle our Housekeeper have served faithfully for several years, and this time last year we welcomed Jim Farrell to the role of Worship Leader as he and Angie answered God’s call to move to Arran and join the Sannox community.

We know God hears and answers our prayers, and that His timing is always perfect.  As Sannox develops so the need to strengthen the staff team develops, and a few months ago a door opened on an exciting opportunity to do just that later this year – the appointment of a Spiritual Director to move to the island, lead our team and build community.

Our next monthly prayer gathering will therefore be a special one, as we introduce to you the person God has called to this position.  You will hear the remarkable story first hand.  The Directors and Advisors are unanimous that this is from God, so many things have come together.  This is a significant move and an exciting one for the future of Sannox Christian Centre.

We do hope you will be able to join us for this special hour next Monday, as we want as many of you as possible to hear the story and pray with us for the future and our staff team at Sannox.

You, our Friends of Sannox, have been a key part of the Sannox story over the past 10 years, and your prayers, practical and financial support will continue to be vital as we journey into the next 10 years and beyond – into all that Father God has in store for us, for Arran, for Scotland and for the nations in what He is building and creating at that special place we call Sannox.

We look forward to welcoming you to our prayer gathering on Monday 2 May (login details below).

The Directors of Sannox Christian Centre

• Your faithfulness in sustaining and providing for Sannox over the last 10 years;
• the witness of your people ‘planted’ at Sannox down through the generations;
• the staff team You have brought to Sannox to serve the vision;
• 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 ‘new faces’ You are bringing to the Sannox gatherings, including some with no church background at all;
• the opportunities to publicise and increase awareness about Sannox through articles in the Arran Banner and Church of Scotland Life & Work magazine (May issue) and information circulated to church networks;
• the many answers to prayer over the years – increasing our confidence that there are more answers to come!

• a regular flow of resident guests and new day visitors;
• publicity and awareness of the events programme to spread;
• the Sannox Saturdays – that more new visitors will be drawn to attend – and the ongoing development of the events programme;
• the staff team as they continue develop and build on the foundations to fulfil the Sannox vision;
• the publicity on Project 200 to be sent overseas, including to the Caledonian Society in Canada, and also to the Clan McMillan and Clan Haldane, that these would be a source of valuable, ongoing support – both financially and in other ways;
• favour on the Manse renovation plans which have now been submitted to North Ayrshire Council planning department, that there will be no significant delays in granting approval;
• the other churches on Arran, many of which are going through significant challenges and changes at this time – for the strengthening of positive links between Sannox and local churches;
• 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 the general running costs.

The monthly Sannox Saturdays – special afternoons of worship, prayer and occasional teaching – continue on the first Saturday of each month up to the end of the year.  The next one is on 7 May.

a)  Celtic Saints (3 days)          Friday 24th  – Sunday 26th June     

Come and learn more about the Celtic Saints and their relevance to our lives today.  Discover more about who they were, where they came from and how they laid the foundations of the Christian faith throughout Britain.  Roy’s own life has drawn inspiration from the Irish, Scottish and Northumbrian saints of old.

b)  Celtic Treasures      Monday 27th – Thursday 30th June.

Join us on retreat and explore the treasures which have come down to us through the lives of the Celtic saints, whose faith was shaped on the anvil of an era of major cultural change.  Learn about men and women whose faith had a profound influence on shaping Europe.  Discover the wisdom of their spirituality that can inspire and illumine our lives and the world today.

A separate email with details of both Retreats, including costs and the link to the separate Eventbrite booking sites is due out this week..  If you plan to attend one or both Retreats, please look out for this coming.

Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 2 May.  We look forward to praying with as many of you as possible on Monday.  The login details, which will now be the same every month, are;

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84711053697?pwd=NElnWmM0VW0rRGZCNW12VHN5R0hEdz09

Meeting ID: 847 1105 3697
Passcode: 910941

“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.