Sanctuary First

‘The Quiet Revival Roars’ It is time to hear loud and clear about some of God's incredible work going on - almost quietly. Almost! Join Ruth and Neil with Elaine Duncan and Adrian Armstrong from the Scottish Bible Society to hear a roar of revival in the UK. It’s a little bit noisy, all over the country, and with all ages. God turning statistics and thinking upside down. God’s Kingdom coming in surprising ways! Hear the roar! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 28

25 years ago, when Mrs Anthea & Rev Marc Bircham arrived at St. Madoes & Kinfauns Parish, Perthshire they joined a church of 20 faithful, hopeful & Prayerful worshippers. Remarkably today, thousands are connecting with themselves, others, & God through many life-affirming activities at the 8 year old Madoch Centre. Hear their story! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 27

Come and hear how a beach-mission-goer got hungry for Jesus, followed Him into Church leadership, and is now partnering with Him to capture and bring into being the Vivid Vision of the Church of Scotland. Kay Cathcart is the Head of Ministries and Mission covering all of Faith Action and believes God is raising people to turn the tide and bring a wave of faithful hope to our shores! You'll want to dive right in! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 26

Serving with love, served with fish eyeballs' Angie Mutch has been utterly committed to serving God and others for decades. Angie has traveled with her volunteering and work to some intriguing, challenging places (with very interesting cuisines!), not looking for public applause, just doing what she knows to do with God. Her perseverance to serve has not gone unnoticed and she was recently honoured as a ‘Woman of the Year 2024' for her volunteering. Angie's jokes, however, haven't yet won any awards! Be encouraged and inspired with her endurance, heart, and faith with a dollop of good humour! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 25

Beginning to Flourish Pod 1 — What actually happens when we read the Bible? Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to Episode 2: You, me, everybody, we are all Nicodemus!)

Beginning to Flourish Pod 2 — You, me, everybody, we are all Nicodemus! Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to episode 3: Why do we even talk about having a ‘faith life'?)

Beginning to Flourish Pod 3 — Why do we even talk about having a ‘faith life'? Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to episode 4: Feeling restless out of church? Feeling restless IN church?)

Beginning to Flourish Pod 4 — Feeling restless out of church? Feeling restless IN church? Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to episode five: Love was stripped bare on the cross)

Beginning to Flourish Pod 5 — Love was stripped bare on the cross. Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to episode six: What's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway?)

Beginning to Flourish Pod 6 — What's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? Welcome to the Beginning to Flourish Pod from Sanctuary First! Join James Cathcart and Albert Bogle's free range exploration of life and theology as we're living it today! This pair are buzzing with questions… What is actually happening when we open a Bible? Why, when it comes down to it, are we all actually Nicodemus? Why do we talk about having a ‘faith life' as something different from our everyday life? (Does the phrase ‘faith life' even make sense?) What happens when love is stripped bare on the cross? How can we begin to flourish wherever we've come from and whatever we're heading into? What happens when we lose religion and find faith? Oh, and what's so good about the Good Samaritan anyway? In this six part series, inspired by Sanctuary First's Lent and Easter theme for 2025, Beginning to Flourish, they explore topics such as breath, shelter, thirst, belonging, eternal love and life changing grace. Over the episodes James and Albert shoot from the hip and cover a lot of ground from contemporary cultural trends to ancient biblical history (they even cook up a harebrained harmonica scheme at one point…) passionate to explore what beginning to flourish looks like for those restless and looking in at church, and those restless IN church and looking out. Let's begin to flourish! And don't forget your harmonica. Read our Connect Bible study for Lent 2025 here: https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/assets/documents/uploads/beginning_to_flourish_connect_booklet_A5_06.02.25.pdf Find out more about our Lent theme here: sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/themes/article_new/beginning-to-flourish-lent-2025 Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. (Listen to episode one - What actually happens when we read the Bible?)

At Aberfeldy, in the very heart & middle of Scotland, Rev Neil Glover shares his own passion & fiery heart for Scotland's Redemption. With 5 Perthshire parishes & serving the national church as convenor of the ambitious 'Seeds for Growth' Fund, Rev Neil Glover has recently released a thoroughly readable & compelling book ‘Finding Your Voice'. Neil tells us his view of where we are at in secular Scotland as we position ourselves to share the wonderful news of Jesus Christ, as more and more people yearn to be re-enchanted with life and living. Revs Neil Urquhart & Neil Glover chat as they tread through the gorgeous gorge, waterfalls & burn of The Birks, once celebrated by Robert Burns in one of his poems. Be encouraged and inspired! We explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 24

This is the Third in our Live recordings of the Songs of Christmas at the Brewery. This Episode we have the whole gang joining us. Andrea and Angus, Jack Shuttleworth, Jim Steel, Graham Silk and Dan Harper shares the Christmas Message. Join us this month at the Brewery as we dive into three evenings of music and the story of Christmas this season. Listen to the recorded podcasts or join us in person ion Bridge of Allan Allanwater Brewhouse. Gather your friends and family for a cosy celebration filled with, Live music, stories of faith & some of the best local beer & cider in Scotland. Join us for three evenings of Live Music & Stories of Faith this Christmas season at the Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of Allan. Find out more about the events: Christmas Events - Songs of Christmas at the Brewery

Read this story as a Blog: Working with the Grain Next Episode: The Unexpected Gift 3 of 3 Working with the Grain by Katy Emslie-Smith The Third of our ‘Stories of the Unexpected' is written by Katy Emslie-Smith. In this short story we hear of a carpenter dutifully working in his shop, he is interrupted with urgent and exciting news that makes him question everything ‘Sense of betrayal combated with affection, anger wrestled with love, custom warred with compassion'. To clear his head, he sets about doing what he knows best, and works the grain of the wood in his workshop with his hands… This Month on Sanctuary First we will be releasing a series of short stories ‘Stories of the Unexpected' which will revolve around our December theme ‘The Unexpected Visitor'. Three writers and members of the Sanctuary First community have each contributed a short story that they have written around the months theme, these will be released each Sunday over the next three weeks in podcast and blog form, each story will be followed with its own ‘Writers Room Book Club' on the following Saturday where we will meet to talk about the story, this will all conclude on the fourth week with a final story in the form of a Christmas film! This Podcast was originally published on: December 11, 2021

Luke 2:1–7 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Listen to the full series: St Ninian's Community Church Podcast St Ninians Community church is a friendly, informal church that meets in Stirling, Scotland. We come from many backgrounds, and warmly welcome anyone to come along and join us! Our purpose is to share the good news of Jesus with the people of St Ninians and together become faithful members of God's family.

Matthew 1:18–25 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Listen to the full series: St Ninian's Community Church Podcast St Ninians Community church is a friendly, informal church that meets in Stirling, Scotland. We come from many backgrounds, and warmly welcome anyone to come along and join us! Our purpose is to share the good news of Jesus with the people of St Ninians and together become faithful members of God's family.

This is the second in our Live recordings of the Songs of Christmas at the Brewery. This Episode we have Stirling North Church Choir bringing some Christmas carol classics and Rev Albert Bogle brings the message and story of Christmas. Join us this month at the Brewery as we dive into three evenings of music and the story of Christmas this season. Listen to the recorded podcasts or join us in person ion Bridge of Allan Allanwater Brewhouse. Gather your friends and family for a cosy celebration filled with, Live music, stories of faith & some of the best local beer & cider in Scotland. Join us for three evenings of Live Music & Stories of Faith this Christmas season at the Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of Allan. Find out more about the events: Christmas Events - Songs of Christmas at the Brewery

Read this story as a Blog: Upon a Midnight Clear Next Episode: Anna the Prophetess 1 of 3 Upon a Midnight Clear by Alec Shuttleworth The first of our ‘Stories of the Unexpected' is written by Alec Shuttleworth. The short story tells of a man who has lost touch. One cold winter night he hears a persistent ‘Tap, Tap, Tap' at his window, it turns out to be a little blackbird pecking at his window, what follows leads to a change… This Month on Sanctuary First we will be re-releasing a series of short stories ‘Stories of the Unexpected' which were created for our December 2021 theme ‘The Unexpected Visitor'. Three writers and members of the Sanctuary First community have each contributed a short story that they have written around the months theme, these will be released each Tuesday over the next three weeks. This Podcast was originally published on: December 05, 2021

This is the first in our Live recordings of the Songs of Christmas at the Brewery. This Episode we have Duncan Cullens & Jim Steel bringing some Original and some Old Favourite Christmas Songs and Rev Albert Bogle brings the message and story of Christmas. Join us this month at the Brewery as we dive into three evenings of music and the story of Christmas this season. Listen to the recorded podcasts or join us in person ion Bridge of Allan Allanwater Brewhouse. Gather your friends and family for a cosy celebration filled with, Live music, stories of faith & some of the best local beer & cider in Scotland. Join us for three evenings of Live Music & Stories of Faith this Christmas season at the Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of Allan. Find out more about the events: Christmas Events - Songs of Christmas at the Brewery

Is atheism on the way out as the belief in God tide comes back in? Podcaster, theologian, apologist, and down-to-earth good guy ‘Justin Brierley' gives good reasons to suggest that here in the West there is a change in the air as people re-find the importance and significance of the Christian story. Talking about his latest book 'The surprising rebirth of belief in God' - Why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again.' Justin talks about how atheism, humanism, materialism, secularism and woke culture seem to be broke and how more and more people are seeking meaning, significance, purpose and identity beyond all that simply meets the eye. What an opportunity and responsibility we have, as Church, to meet people in their search and points of need! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 23 - Journey of Faith

'From Stornoway Black Pudding to Angel Delight!' Lewis's Tommy MacNeil shares his journey of faith which took him from teenage disillusionment and work in a butcher's shop to leading a thriving church, authoring a book about awakening the beautiful & beloved bride of Christ in Scotland, and leading the Church of Scotland's Faith Action Programme Leadership Team. Full of empathy, compassion, courage, & hope, Tommy's enthusiasm and prophetic expectancy is infectious. You might even hear the angels over Stornaway applauding. Be encouraged and inspired. Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 22 - Moderator's Glimpses

Why would the Moderator of the Church of Scotland take a service for 20 people? Not the start of a joke! But the start of Rt Rev Shaw Paterson's Moderatorial year where he is catching glimpses of comfort, courage and creativity in the everyday wonders. Tune in to hear more about dusty feet and wet blazers! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 21 - Crofter's Kirk

Ruth and Eloho encounter Martin and Erin who are engaged in curating 900 works of art as a fundraising effort for St Margaret's Saturday School for Ukrainian Children. The Edinburgh 900 Exhibition will be based in St Cuthbert's Parish Church in Edinburgh — spiritual home of the podcast studio! Check out their webpage — maybe you have some art to contribute?! (Instagram: @usmssedinburgh900artworks) Follow the rest of the podcast series on the Sanctuary First website and app/ https://sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/podcast/fatf

Ruth Kennedy and Laura Digan meet Linda Hoskins who is passionate about art and passionate about justice. Linda is fine art graduate and her driving force isn't to necessarily ‘make it' in the art world, but she is looking to restore hope, to think differently, to inspire others through creativity and to be a pioneering spirit: making a change one painting and product at a time. You can check out her work here. Follow the rest of the podcast series on the Sanctuary First website and app/ https://sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/podcast/fatf

Ruth Kennedy and Laura Digan meet some of the cast and crew of Stirling Management who are bringing their show “What Matters in the End” to the Fringe this year. Together they explore the hard questions we face within society, family, love and culture. Catch it while you can, and book tickets here. Learn more about the production and how to book tickets, and follow the rest of the podcast series on the Sanctuary First website and app/ https://sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/podcast/fatf

Ruth Kennedy and guest host Heather Thorpe explore the story of Antoni Gaudi, the visionary architect who is being considered for canonisation - being made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Stephen Callaghan, playwright and theatre maker returns to Faith at the Fringe to talk about ‘Gaudi God’s Architect’, and tackling faith topics more generally. Learn more on the Stephen’s website, and get tickets from the Edinburgh Fringe website. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/gaudi-god-s-architect https://stephencallaghan.com/ Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Ruth Kennedy and guest host Heather Thorpe speak with Wendy Patterson of Heart and Soul Producers about their production at the Edinburgh Fringe ‘A-Night-To-Remember' the Christmas story re-imagined in a Broadway style - and debuting in August at the Fringe! Learn more on the Heart and Soul producers website, and watch digitally from the Edinburgh fringe website. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/night-to-remember https://www.heartandsoulproducers.com/a-night-to-remember Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Ruth and Duncan talk with Tim Hunter about Northern faith, faith, music and history. Book tickets on the fringe website and/or listen to the album ‘Connecting with Faith' on bandcamp. https://northernfaith.bandcamp.com https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/northern-faith Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

“At Joppa, waiting to set sail for new adventures, contemplating his recent past and his encounters with Jesus. What did it all mean?” Sanctuary First minister Ruth Kennedy is joined by co-host Hannah Sanderson along with today's guest Trevor Gill from Bright Umbrella Theatre discuss two of their upcoming shows: A Farther Shore, following the story of the biblical figure Peter, with a modern message. Dean and The Devil, a darkly funny and uplifting one-man, multi-role show about one man's fight against addiction - performed by Trevor himself! You can book tickets for both of these shows on the Edinburgh Fringe website. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/farther-shore https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dean-and-the-devil Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

“Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood” Sanctuary First minister Ruth Kennedy is joined by co-host Hannah Sanderson along with today’s guest Paul Burrows discuss the role of movement and dance in faith. TS Eliot's poem Ash Wednesday is widely regarded as a work of great spiritual depth. Its images are full of movement, making it highly suggestive for choreography and the art of dance. Paul Burrows (dancer/priest) has created a piece in which movement interacts with the speaker in Eliot's poem; narrated by George Ormerod. A highly unusual integration of the arts of dance and poetry. Join Paul on the 13th of August for Dancing Ash Wednesday at the Edinburgh Festival of Sacred Arts as part of the Fringe. Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

“A letter has finally been delivered to its destination – more than a century after it was written…” In this third episode, Sanctuary First minister Ruth Kennedy is joined by Hannah Sanderson, Programme and Innovation Manager for the Church of Scotland. Today's guest is John Handscombe from Good Wolf People, and the podcast focuses on their new show The 100 Year Old Letter - made in collaboration with participants from the Phoenix Players. Their fringe shows are sold out, but you can learn more about the show and future opportunities to see it on their website. Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Sanctuary First minister Ruth Kennedy and guest host Peter Sutton continue learning about the Edinburgh Festival of Sacred Arts from episode one. Today they explore Scottish religious poetry with Alison Jack - co-editor of ‘Scottish Religious Poetry' - and Gordon Graham, director of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts. Learn more on their website. Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

For our first episode of Faith at the Fringe 2024, Sanctuary First minister Ruth Kennedy and guest host Peter Sutton talk with Calum Robertson about the Edinburgh Festival of Sacred Arts, and their new Young Composers competition. Learn more on their website Listen to the Faith at the Fringe podcasts here on Sanctuary First, our App and you can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

City Slicker Andrea Boyes followed Jesus into radical rural life, mission and ministry to pastor people and shepherd a growing flock of sheep. Tune in for some of Andrea's hilarious, creative, and courageous stories of following ultimate Shepherd Jesus in North West Coast Scotland! Listen in to find out more! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 20 - Sharing Stories

Agriculture & Growth! Sanctuary First's Green Christian Network This time Laura is speaking with Agriculture Consultant Charles Howie all about growth, sustainable agriculture and how we can support our farmers for the better of the environment. The Green Christian Network group for this podcast will be held on the Wednesday the 26th of June 2024 online. Come along with your questions and speak with Charles directly. Find out more and enter via the Sanctuary First website and App. Every month there will be new material diving into a different idea around the environment where we will encourage each of you to take part and start your own projects at the end of the month, we will conclude with an online Green Christian Network group where we take time to pray and encourage each other to care for God's beautiful creation. Join the Network Group: Green Christian Network

What have a pannier pilgrimage, hunger and singing got in common? The Emerging Emmaus team, Neil and Ruth, find the connections over their last few months of adventures. Listen in to find out more! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come!Listen to the previous: Episode Nine - Rebuilding from the Ground Up

Laura and Linda are back with a new season of podcasts. This third episode looks at Anne Vallotton, a Swiss and French artist best known for her illustrations in the Good News Bible. Vallotton created over 500 illustrations and drew some of them up to 90 times to get them right. Vallotton’s distinctive style uses simple lines and shading to convey character and emotion: “I wanted to simplify them the most I could. I wanted to get to the truth… the most important thing!” Each month Laura and Linda welcome a guest to discuss the women of the Bible - the well-known women, the loved women, the unnamed women and the forgotten women. Each month they will also spend time talking about issues affecting women today.

Neil Urquhart meets with well known author Steve Aisthorp. Steve is a former Mission worker in Nepal, and most recently longtime Church of Scotland pioneer mission development worker. Realising he had become cautious and comfortable, Steve left full-time employment, not knowing where his next step would be. Out of that 'Stew' came ‘Kilmalieu' (Kilmaloo). Here's the story to inspire and encourage us in listening to God; retreating to advance in God's Will. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode Eighteen - Community Church

“Let's pick up our wheelbarrow and our fork and go into the stables and muck out…” Laura Digan invites us back to the stables to muck out as she reflects once again on Wild Jesus! Wild Encounters! What can the digging of dogs, the singing of birds and the munching of horses teach us about the wild ways of our Wild Messiah? Listen to our new mini-series to find out! These episodes are a collaboration between Laura Digan and James Cathcart for Sanctuary First and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Like this kind of thing? Check out our recent Five Tastes mini-series.

“As we walk up to the field let us just breathe and take in the scenes around us…” Laura Digan invites us to the stables as she reflects on Wild Jesus! Wild Encounters! What can the digging of dogs, the singing of birds and the munching of horses teach us about the wild ways of our Wild Messiah? Listen to our new mini-series to find out! These episodes are a collaboration between Laura Digan and James Cathcart for Sanctuary First and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Like this kind of thing? Check out our recent Five Tastes mini-series.

Together, Neil Urquhart and Jo Black meet with Worship Coordinator Jo Love & Community Development Worker Catriona Milligan from Gorbals Parish Church, who share on the synergies of Spirit, souls, teams, and Jesus' Love. It's raw, real, relevant and a right good listen! Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode Seventeen - Youth Ministry for the Whole Church

“Watching birds and listening to them runs deep, because we've always done it…” James invites us to the garden as he reflects on Wild Jesus! He reflects on why we are drawn to the sounds of birds singing and what they can tell us… Wild Encounters! What can the digging of dogs, the singing of birds and the munching of horses teach us about the wild ways of our Wild Messiah? Listen to our new mini-series to find out! These episodes are a collaboration between Laura Digan and James Cathcart for Sanctuary First and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Like this kind of thing? Check out our recent Five Tastes mini-series.

“The dogs are sniffing, sniffing about the hedgerows, they've got the smell of something…” Laura Digan invites us on a dog walk as she reflects on Wild Jesus! As the dogs bound about she is inspired by their antics to ask us thought provoking questions. Wild Encounters! What can the digging of dogs, the singing of birds and the munching of horses teach us about the wild ways of our Wild Messiah? Listen to our new mini-series to find out! These episodes are a collaboration between Laura Digan and James Cathcart for Sanctuary First and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Like this kind of thing? Check out our recent Five Tastes mini-series.

Together, Neil Urquhart and Jo Black meet with Joel Nicholas, Youth Minister from Gorebridge Parish Church about the fruit of their long term intentional investment in young people and the ways they are seeking to equip and train new youth pastors for wider Scotland. It's a really encouraging listen – don't miss it! Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode Sixteen - Conflict and Reconciliation

Laura and Linda are back with a new season of podcasts. This second episode explores the life of Gladys Aylward, who overcame many obstacles to be a missionary in China. Gladys Aylward was a determined woman. Once she felt the call to the mission field, she refused to allow any excuses to hold her back. She chose to follow God's call to serve in China even though she had little money and was unable to make it through missionary school. God used her to reach a whole community in China with the Gospel and help 100 children flee to safety during WWII. Each month Laura and Linda welcome a guest to discuss the women of the Bible - the well-known women, the loved women, the unnamed women and the forgotten women. Each month they will also spend time talking about issues affecting women today.

Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy and Verene Nicolas discuss the use of non violent communication in the process of conflict and reconciliation within the Church. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode Fifteen - Community Church

Episode 5: Salt “This can't be the end. I thought there was more to it. We all thought there was more to it. He can't have died for nothing. I thought there was more to it. More to Jesus. I'm going to make soup.” This Holy Saturday Laura concludes our series, imagining how an exhausted disciple might have felt on that bittersweet day, and the salt that stirs them to action. The final episodes in a sequence of five audio meditations running daily Tuesday - Saturday of Holy Week. Poetry, drama, music, and prayer come together and invite us to rediscover the wonder of Easter through our tastebuds. Each day we focus on one of the five tastes to experience the vividness of these timeless events in a new way. We will see how harshness, deliciousness, acidity, richness and tanginess can draw us further and deeper into this world-changing, universe-changing, week. The series is a collaboration between James Cathcart and Laura Digan and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Listen to Episode 1: Bitter Listen to Episode 2: Sweet Listen to Episode 3: Sour Listen to Episode 4: Umami

Episode 4: Umami “Agnus Dei. Your body broken for us Your blood shed for us Pause Your body broken for me Your blood shed for me” On this Good Friday Laura and James take us to the foot of the cross to contemplate the unstoppable love of Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God. This is a series of five audio meditations running daily Tuesday - Saturday of Holy Week. Poetry, drama, music, and prayer come together and invite us to rediscover the wonder of Easter through our tastebuds. Each day we focus on one of the five tastes to experience the vividness of these timeless events in a new way. We will see how harshness, deliciousness, acidity, richness and tanginess can draw us further and deeper into this world-changing, universe-changing, week. The series is a collaboration between James Cathcart and Laura Digan and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Listen to Episode 1: Bitter Listen to Episode 2: Sweet Listen to Episode 3: Sour

Episode 3: Sour “Sour, stale bodies make preparations, hands shaking, hands questioning if this will be the last time the last time we're all together acidic words are exchanged words that bite there is excitement and unease faith and doubt mystery and wonder…” This Maundy Thursday James takes us to the upper room of the Last Supper where the animated and anxious disciples gather in an atmosphere of electric anticipation. A series of five audio meditations running daily Tuesday - Saturday of Holy Week. Poetry, drama, music, and prayer come together and invite us to rediscover the wonder of Easter through our tastebuds. Each day we focus on one of the five tastes to experience the vividness of these timeless events in a new way. We will see how harshness, deliciousness, acidity, richness and tanginess can draw us further and deeper into this world-changing, universe-changing, week. The series is a collaboration between James Cathcart and Laura Digan and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Listen to Episode 1: Bitter Listen to Episode 2: Sweet

Episode 2: Sweet “Breathe in the sweetness, in and out, in and out. Gaze upon his face Breath in his love…” Listen as Laura takes us to Bethany and writes in the second person to immerse us in the story of Jesus's anointing with sweet nard. A series of five audio meditations running daily Tuesday - Saturday of Holy Week. Poetry, drama, music, and prayer come together and invite us to rediscover the wonder of Easter though our tastebuds. Each day we focus on one of the five tastes to experience the vividness of these timeless events in a new way. We will see how harshness, deliciousness, acidity, richness and tanginess can draw us further and deeper into this world-changing, universe-changing, week. The series is a collaboration between James Cathcart and Laura Digan and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band. Listen to Episode 1: Bitter

Episode 1: Bitter “A small palmful of these bitter leaves are picked for Thursday for the meal that will become the last supper they are sought out of this dense overgrown garden while outside even now there are voices clamouring for a saviour, for a rebel, a warlord, an avenging angel…” Listen as James takes us to the brooding atmosphere as Holy Week begins, tensions mount, and bitter herbs are gathered. A series of five audio meditations running daily Tuesday - Saturday of Holy Week. Poetry, drama, music, and prayer come together and invite us to rediscover the wonder of Easter through our tastebuds. Each day we focus on one of the five tastes to experience the vividness of these timeless events in a new way. We will see how harshness, deliciousness, acidity, richness and tanginess can draw us further and deeper into this world-changing, universe-changing, week. The series is a collaboration between James Cathcart and Laura Digan and features music from ‘Have You Room For Love?' by The Bogle Band.

This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke to Anne Stott who is the community minister at Bertha Park in Perth. Watch the new episode live on Wednesday at 7pm, catch previous episodes on Sanctuary First, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Download the App: www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/app