Sanctuary First

Laura and Linda are back after the New Year break with another episode of the Time of the Month podcast, this time they are joined by Christine Colliar, a member of the Sanctuary First Community and a talented writer, you might have read or listened to one of Christine’s stories over Christmas as part of our Stories of the Unexpected Series. This episode we are looking at ‘Three Prophetesses’ from the bible and talking all about how they’re stories resonate and inspire in today’s society. Listen to last months - Anna and the Wisdom of Age Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

Join us for The Late Show, this episode Albert Bogle, Iain Jamieson and Laura Digan are thinking all about Unpacking Boxes and the Life of Robert Burns and much much more… ‘The Sanctuary First Late Show’ is our new series featuring an informal mix of discussion, interviews, spoken word and music. Together we will be exploring what it means to laugh, cry and wonder as followers of Jesus in the 21st century. The show will be streamed live on our site, app and Facebook page and will be available to listen or watch back later on the site and on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Through lively discussion, wacky anecdotes, stimulating interviews, heartfelt poetry, striking monologues and gentle night prayer we hope to enact the moving, funny, vibrant and often messy experience of being a Christian in the 2020s. Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

A new episode of The Time of the Month podcast is out now. Tune in for a heartfelt and hard-hitting discussion about Anna the Prophetess and recent tragic events in the news. Join Laura and Linda as they discuss old age, wisdom, the voice of experience, trauma, and God birthing new life. Find Anna in Luke 2: 36-38 and look up Linda’s story from the Stories of the Unexpected series about Anna. Listen to last months - Deborah and Details Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

Read this story as a Blog: The Unexpected Gift Find out more about this series: Stories of the Unexpected The Unexpected Gift by Christine Colliar The Last of our ‘Stories of the Unexpected’ is written by Christine Colliar. In this short story we hear from a young girl who has an unexpected visitor in there garden shed on the run up to Christmas. A strange mystery man appears in there garden and is invited into there home out of the cold, the young girl slowly begins to warm to the strange visitor and gradually she begins to welcome the spirit of Christmas and Christ into her heart… 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. Listen to the podcast above, or listen on Spotify & Apple podcasts OR Read the story as a blog: The Unexp

Read this story as a Blog: Working with the Grain Find out more about this series: Stories of the Unexpected 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 bl

Join us for our Advent edition of the Sanctuary First Late Show. Albert, James and Laura from the team have pre-recorded a laidback, wide ranging and heartfelt discussion as they get their heads around our theme: Angels ‘The Sanctuary First Late Show’ is our new series featuring an informal mix of discussion, interviews, spoken word and music. Together we will be exploring what it means to laugh, cry and wonder as followers of Jesus in the 21st century. The show will be streamed live on our site, app and Facebook page and will be available to listen or watch back later on the site and on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Through lively discussion, wacky anecdotes, stimulating interviews, heartfelt poetry, striking monologues and gentle night prayer we hope to enact the moving, funny, vibrant and often messy experience of being a Christian in the 2020s. Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

Read this story as a Blog: Anna the Prophetess Find out more about this series: Stories of the Unexpected 2 of 3 Anna the Prophetess by Linda Pollock The second of our ‘Stories of the Unexpected’ is written by Linda Pollock. In this short story we hear from the voice of Anna the Prophetess from the bible, she has recently lost her dear husband ‘Ronel’, in grief and in a moment of questioning faith she doubts Gods plan that it would leave her so alone. Slowly she begins to realise there’s light ahead as she opens up her heart to God… 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

Read this story as a Blog: Upon a Midnight Clear Find out more about this series: Stories of the Unexpected 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 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 conclud

This week we’ll be reflecting on COP26 and how we as faithful disciples of Jesus can hold our nerve and respond creatively and compassionately to world events championing his grace, mercy and peace. ‘The Sanctuary First Late Show’ is our new series featuring an informal mix of discussion, interviews, spoken word and music. Together we will be exploring what it means to laugh, cry and wonder as followers of Jesus in the 21st century. The show will be streamed live on our site, app and Facebook page and will be available to listen or watch back later on the site and on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Through lively discussion, wacky anecdotes, stimulating interviews, heartfelt poetry, striking monologues and gentle night prayer we hope to enact the moving, funny, vibrant and often messy experience of being a Christian in the 2020s. Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

​Linda Pollock reads to us a creative telling of the story of Blind Bartimaeus from the Bible, with music by Allan Hewitt. This Podcast is part of our collection of Bible Stories. What does this story mean for us? Jesus names faith as what impels Bartimaeus. The rest of the story shows us what that faith is. Bartimaeus’s faith is not about reciting the correct confession or subscribing to certain dogmas. It is his unrelenting conviction that Jesus can and will rescue him from his need. This story invites us to consider how faith is manifested, nurtured, and stunted within communities. “Don’t be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you” View Bible Text: Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52 Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

Laura and Linda are back! This month they are joined by George Sneddon, Probationary Minister in Mossneuk Parish Church. They talk about the biblical prophet and judge Deborah (see Judges 4 & 5) and discuss revealing details, women in leadership, palm trees, artistic depictions, postnatal depression, Angela Merkel, Britney Spears, Maria Kolesnikova and much more. Listen to last months - The Daughter of Jephthah Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

Episode two of the Christian Creatives podcast is out now, listen here on Sanctuary First, on our App and on Spotify. In season two of the monthly Christian Creatives podcast Laura Digan will continue to discuss sources of inspiration, practicalities and managing confidence with creatives from different disciplines. In the second episode of season two Laura speaks to designer and co-owner of Sew Ho Studios Nikki Kirkland about creativity and wellbeing within the workplace. Find out more about Sew Ho Studios and Nikki: Sew Ho Studios Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

For the latest Time of the Month podcast Laura and Linda are joined by Christopher Rowe, Minister at Colston Milton Parish Church. In this episode they reflect on the daughter of Jephthah and her troubling demise (see Judges 11). In a wide-ranging and hard-hitting conversation they discuss interpretation, discernment, sacrifice, trauma, being nameless in the Bible, and the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. Listen to last months - Episode 6: Lydia and Laws Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

The ‘Christian Creatives’ podcast series returns for a new season! In season two’s monthly episodes Laura Digan will continue to discuss sources of inspiration, practicalities and managing confidence with creatives from different disciplines. In the first episode of season two Laura speaks to writer, creative and founder of Sensory Church at Home, Lily Cathcart. Laura and Lily discuss creativity in the different seasons of our lives and how to find time to be creative when you have caring responsibilities. Look out for the new season’s accompanying blog next week! Find out more about Sensory Church at Home: Website - Facebook - Instagram Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

A three part series where James Cathcart chats to informed, funny and wise experts about how our minds, bodies and breath interact in that pattern of tissue and synapses and bits of bone and soul that happen to make you — you. In this final episode he talks to yoga teacher, triathlete, and musician Mark Russell. Listen to get practical tips on tuning in to your breath (including a neat trick of counting without actually counting…) and to find out: what porridge has to do with yoga, an unusual technique used in medieval kitchens, and the commitment you make to a banana when you eat it. Thanks to Mark for the music and Jack Steel for the cover art. Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen to Episode 2: ‘The Mind’ with Amanda MacQuarrie. Listen to Episode 1: ‘The Body’ with Claire Young.

In the latest episode of the Time of the Month podcast Laura and Linda are joined by Kaye Gardner, soon to start her probation ministry placement at St Rollox Church in Glasgow. They discuss Lydia — a hugely important figure in the history of the the church — who is only mentioned in a few brief verses. They talk about luscious cloth, love’s ripple effects, Lebanon, and the legal systems that affect the lives of women and girls living today. Listen to - Episode 5: Esther and Objectification Follow us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts OR Get the App!

A new series where James Cathcart chats to informed, funny and wise experts about how our minds, bodies and breath interact in that pattern of tissue and synapses and bits of bone and soul that happen to make you — you. In this episode he talks to runner, walker, kayaker, minister, and absolute dynamo: Amanda MacQuarrie. Get practical tips on tuning in to your mind and find out: how a hurricane was instrumental in her becoming a minister, just how susceptible James is to confirmation bias, and that the key to finding yourself might just be realising that you’re in the movement of something else… Thanks to Mark Russell for the music and Jack Steel for the cover art. Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen to Episode 1: ‘The Body’ with Claire Young. Listen to Episode 3: ‘The Breath’ with Mark Russell.

A three part series where James Cathcart will be chatting to some informed, funny and wise experts about how our minds, bodies and breath interact in that pattern of tissue and synapses and bits of bone and soul that happen to make you — you. In this first episode he talks to physiotherapist, educator, community leader and force of nature: Claire Young. Get practical tips on tuning in to your body and find out: just what ‘fascia’ is, something weird about that voice in your head, and how the lines we draw between our emotional and physical reactions might be more blurred than we think. Thanks to Mark Russell for the music and Jack Steel for the cover art. Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen to Episode 2: ‘The Mind’ with Amanda MacQuarrie. Listen to Episode 3: ‘The Breath’ with Mark Russell.

Tonight the team reflect on a year and a half of the Weekly Review, what it has meant to come together in a pandemic, the importance of rest and recuperation and what the future holds. James from the team will be sharing a bit about his new podcast series ‘Mind Body Breath’ and we’ll all reflect on personal highlights of the last 18 months of Sanctuary First.

​A preview of the first episode of our new podcast series from James Cathcart where he speaks to physiotherapist (and force of nature) Claire Young… Find the podcast here on Sanctuary First, in our Sanctuary First App, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: