Prayer News September 2022

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.”  [Ps 136::1]

The past couple of months have been a busy time at Sannox with the June retreat led by Roy Searle, the Celtish and Song of the Island musical events, the Open Days, Arran Open Studios, the ongoing Sannox Saturdays and the arrival of Andrew Clark to join the staff team.  Andrew shared his story on 6 August – a great encouragement for all present and all of us involved in the unfolding Sannox vision.  The good news is that Andrew and his family now have a permanent home – the Lamlash Church of Scotland manse.  Over this time resident guest numbers have also been good plus many day visitors – all contributing to raising the profile of Sannox on Arran and beyond.

Many challenges remain to see the vision fulfilled, but we have much to be thankful for in this 200th anniversary year of Sannox Church and the 10th year of the current Sannox project.   Psalm 136 reminds us that God’s love ‘endures forever’.  He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.  He is ‘faithful and true’ and as we continue on this journey, following in the footsteps of those early Celtic Christian pioneers who set out into the unknown following Christ’s call with their eyes of faith fixed firmly on Him, we can rest in the sure knowledge that, so long as we follow the path He has set before us, in the way He directs us, He will ensure we reach that place He has prepared for us.

We look forward to continuing this amazing journey with you all!

• Your faithfulness in sustaining and providing for Sannox over the last 10 years;
• Your provision of a home for Andrew Clark and his family;
• The success of all the events and activities over the summer, including many conversations with new folk;
• A good number of resident guests and day visitors, resulting in generous donations;
• Heidi Nickin, our Administrator, who has agreed to take on the finance book-keeping role when Jim McKay steps down at the end of the month;
• 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 many answers to prayer over the years – increasing our confidence that there are more answers to come!

• The flow of resident guests and day visitors to continue well into the autumn;
• The events programme – see below;
• 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 build relationships and develop fresh ways of providing services and facilities at Sannox;
• The team planning the development of our Hosting system (see details below of the Hosting Weekend in October). We are keen to build our hosting team;
• Heidi and Alistair (our Treasurer) as they take on the finance responsibilities over the next few weeks, including getting to grips with the new Xero finance software system being set up;
• Favour on the Manse renovation plans which have been re-submitted to North Ayrshire Council planning department following their request for an amendment, that there will be no significant delays in granting approval;
• Our fundraiser Kevin as he submits bids for both capital and revenue funds for the Manse renovation and general running costs;
• 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 Directors (Trustees), staff team and some of our Advisors as we gather at Sannox 30 September – 2 October for a time of fellowship, worship and prayer, giving thanks for God’s goodness and faithfulness and seeking His ongoing direction for the future.

The monthly Sannox Saturdays – special afternoons of worship, prayer and teaching – continue on the first Saturday of each month up to the end of the year at 2 pm in Sannox Church.  The programme for the rest of this year is:

3 September Rev Maggie Lane – “The miracle of resurrection is usually told at Easter, but what if you have your own resurrection story to tell, of dying and coming back to life again.  Of being somewhere in those in between moments of life and death, of seeing and experiencing something so real and transformative as to never be the same again.  To meet Jesus and be given a commission to fulfil, like ‘Mission Impossible’.  This was my choice – I could stay and be with him or return and fulfil what was being asked of me to give the church in our nation a message of repentance, hope and healing but with the promise that He would be with me, no matter how scared I was of doing this. I said yes!  I invite you to come and let me share my story with you.”

1 October        Andy Hall – More details later
5 November    Andrew Clark – More details later
3 December    Andy Hall  [Andy will be leading a conference on the ‘2nd Advent’ from 2 – 4 December]

Put these dates in your diary and plan to come if you can.

Those who have acted as ‘Hosts’ for our resident guests over the years have played a valuable part in building the Sannox vision.  With the recent strengthening of the staff team it is time to review our hosting arrangements and a special ‘Hosting weekend’ is planned for Friday evening/Saturday 28/29 October.  If you are interested in continuing as a Host or finding out what is involved, please put these dates in your diary.  Details will be sent out.  In the meantime if you wish to discuss this please contact Andrew Clark on andrew@sannox.org

Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 5 September.  We look forward to praying and worshipping together with as many of you as possible next Monday.   Prayer underpins all we seek to do for the advancement of God’s Kingdom – please join us if you can.

The login details are;

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81941457054?pwd=VEdEM3VCUm5WVm9SaWJoK0kyOGpaUT09

Meeting ID: 819 4145 7054
Passcode: 167547

One tap mobile
+442080806592,,81941457054# United Kingdom
+443300885830,,81941457054# United Kingdom

“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