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 …

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 Ch…

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 reb…

’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 Le…

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 e…

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 co…

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 …

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 ti…

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 general…

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 …

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 an…

“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…

“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 sug…

“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 sho…

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 web…

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 als…

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 Kenned…

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 o…

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 …

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 …

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’ (Kilm…

“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-se…

“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 epis…

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 Scotla…

“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 …

“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 t…

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 ho…

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 Ch…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 anima…

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 p…

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 W…

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

Laura and Linda are back with a new season of podcasts. This first episode explores the unnamed Samaritan woman that Jesus met in John chapter 4. The Woman at the Well. She is never named, yet her encounter with Jesus is the longest between the Messiah and any other individual in the Gospel of John. Representing the lowest of the low — a female in …

This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke to Peter Neilson about Church Without Walls and where we are at now within the Church of Scotland. 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…

Introducing Creation and The Creator! Sanctuary First’s Green Christian Network Laura Digan and Laura Miller continue our Green Chistian Network series with Episode Two of our Creation & The Creator podcast. This time we are talking all about Food Waste! Every month there will be new material diving into a different idea around the enviroment where…

This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke to Barry Hughes about Divine Interventions and being in the right place at the right time. 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…

This time we are speaking to Rev William Boyle all about the community that has grown out of Port Glasgow New Parish Church, and how working together can help us to build better communities where all can bring there gifts of the spirit to the table. Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the ch…

This Labyrinth has been designed to encourage you to make a journey to follow the star like the wise men of old to find the child in the manger who is the Saviour of the world. Make this journey with Mary and Joseph, with the shepherds, with all who came looking for the promised king. There will be different stations to stop at on this journey givi…

Introducing Creation and The Creator! Sanctuary First’s Green Christian Network Laura Digan and Laura Miller dive into the first Episode of our Creation & The Creator podcast series talking all about Harvesting the crops from summer ahead of winter, and taking time to compost and cultivate new growth. A new monthly video, blog and podcast series ex…

What do we need to do to effect real change in the church and in our communities? This time Neil and Ruth are speaking with Rev Dr Liam Fraser all about ‘Mission & Change’ in the church, and his new book ‘Mission In Contemporary Scotland’. Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy and Steve Aisthorpe explore the stories of struggle and perseverance wit…

How do we build the next generation of Christians in our communities? Neil and Ruth are speaking with Graham Duffin and Sheila Notman all about the Growing Young program and how their churches have unleashed a passion of young people in their churches. Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy and Steve Aisthorpe explore the stories of struggle and per…

Ruth, Neil and Steve explore the story of a church’s lowest point and how it gathered its community around it to rebuild from the ground up! Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy and Steve Aisthorpe 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…

Emerging Emmaus is back after our Summer break! Join Ruth and Neil as we catch up over all that’s happened over the summer and discuss how we can all Run the Race Together as communities through a love for Jesus. Together, Neil Urquhart, Ruth Kennedy and Steve Aisthorpe explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jes…

Welcome to Faith at the Fringe a Sanctuary First podcast series. What a month of we have had with the 2023 series of Faith at the Fringe podcasts! We have talked to singers, song writers, artists, performers, comedians and playwrights over 11 episodes. Albert Bogle and Peter Sutton look back on some of the interesting conversations we have had this…