Sanctuary First

Join us for a Nine part podcast series as we explore in real time the Sanctuary first connect material for the theme ‘Express Yourself’. Never done a connect group or bible study before? Perhaps your interested in starting one but havn’t yet, or maybe your looking for more to explore from this weeks theme. Each week Albert and guests will unpack the weeks theme and branch off into a wide ranging c...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 13: ‘Got a light?’ How colours help us to think differently about theology What does it mean to let our light shine? What do we do when Jesus surprises us at the bus stop? What is a tetrachromat? How does colour help us think about theology differently? What has the through-line been for our Sanctuary First themes from Advent last year to this summer? Check out our lates...

Being Before Doing Find more episodes on Sanctuary First In this episode of Emerging Emmaus , Neil and Lynsey are joined by James Falconer, an ordained elder with nearly 45 years of service in the Church of Scotland and a passion for helping people rediscover the heart of following Jesus. Serving at Falkirk Upper Braes Parish Church, James shares honestly about the challenges of “doing church” wit...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 12: Getting salty? This week James and Albert talk about Jesus’s invitation to be the salt of the earth! What does salt do? And what are we doing? How much salt is too much salt? What does Jesus’s analogy teach us? They discuss chemistry, inequality, getting ‘salty’, balance, compassion and a dehydrated society. Listen every fortnight to our new podcast about faith, rest...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 11: What are you waiting for? Come on, what are you waiting for!? This week James flies solo in a short episode asking: ‘What are you waiting for?’ Because there’s two types of waiting: the type that’s out of our hands and the type that is very much IN our hands. James reflects on two things humans are really good at, a parrot print dress, and why we’re not always the be...

This week we are looking at the kneel, thinking on how humility and obedience play a part in our lives. Join us for a four part podcast series as we explore in real time the Sanctuary first connect material for the theme ‘After The Cross’. Never done a connect group or bible study before? Perhaps your interested in starting one but havn’t yet, or maybe your looking for more to explore from this we...

This week we are looking at the Leap, thinking on how Sometimes coming face to face with the cross leads to people leaping into life following Jesus. It’s the start of an adventure that physically moves people, motivating them to catch up with where Jesus is working in the world. Join us for a four part podcast series as we explore in real time the Sanctuary first connect material for the theme ‘A...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 10: Kneeling and/or leaping? What happens when we kneel before the cross? What happens when we take the leap with Jesus? In this episode James and Albert are joined by long time contributor to Sanctuary First retired minister and incredible writer and thinker Peter Neilson! They continue to reflect on what it means to live ‘After the Cross’ as we respond to Jesus’ univer...

In what ways do we shrug in apathy at faith, the cross and God? Do we shrug at the hurt in the world wondering what can be done to fix such a mess? Join us for a four part podcast series as we explore in real time the Sanctuary first connect material for the theme ‘After The Cross’. Never done a connect group or bible study before? Perhaps your interested in starting one but havn’t yet, or maybe y...

Inviting Jesus In Find more episodes on Sanctuary First This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke with Sarah Johnson, Mission Support Manager for the Church of Scotland. Sarah sees her varied life & career to this point has prepared her well for her present role. Here she shares her excitement about what Jesus is up to across Scotland today & her privilege in enthusing, encouraging...

​What does it mean to flinch before the Cross? To turn away in shame or frustration? Join us for a four part podcast series as we explore in real time the Sanctuary first connect material for the theme ‘After The Cross’. Never done a connect group or bible study before? Perhaps your interested in starting one but havn’t yet, or maybe your looking for more to explore from this weeks theme. Each wee...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 9: Flinching and shrugging from the cross? In this episode James and Albert are joined by preacher, piper, poet and publisher Jock Stein to talk about what it means to flinch or shrug from the cross. For many of us our reactions to the cross will be a mix of sorrow, scepticism, awe and hope. Indeed if the cross never makes us flinch — is it the cross we’re looking at? Or...

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 g...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 8: Longing for renewal? In this episode James and Albert talk about what it means to long for renewal — for the breath of new life to sweep through old bones! They discuss Ezekiel, Lazarus, restoration, storytelling and jellyfish! Listen every fortnight to our new podcast about faith, restlessness and the search for meaning! James Cathcart and Albert Bogle from Sanctuary...

How to lead well without losing yourself Find more episodes on Sanctuary First This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke with leadership coach and speaker Shona Stirling for an honest conversation about leadership, faith, and what it means to live well. Shona works with leaders across business and church contexts who are wrestling with deeper questions about purpose, emotional health, and...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 7: What does Jesus say about burnout? In this episode James and Albert explore Jesus’s response to burnout, stress, anxiety and doomscrolling! They talk about rest, mental health, resilience, work/life balance, being overwhelmed by the news cycle, the Samaritan woman at the well, and the living water that changes our life — that tells us we’re cherished. Listen every for...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 6: Vine Trust Tanzania Bonus Episode This week we have a special bonus episode recorded live in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania where Albert and his friend friend Ken MacKenzie discuss a recent trip with the Vine Trust. As this was a recording of a quick impromptu conversation the sound quality is a little different to normal with more background noise but we really hope you enjoy...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 5: How to follow Jesus in a world on fire! Listen to our new podcast about faith, restlessness and the search for meaning! In each episode James Cathcart and Albert Bogle from Sanctuary First share what it’s like to be restless Christians, wrestling with the Bible and spirituality as they try and live it out today. This week they ask: How is the world on fire? What do we...

Creating Safe Spaces for Curiosity, Faith & Doubt Find more episodes on Sanctuary First This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke to William Gibson a young Christian Ministry Student, PhD Student in Theology & multi-media mogul. William shares his meandering journey of Faith, views on where The Scottish Church is at and directions She can hopefully take in following Christ to where...

Room for All: Stories Round the Table 5, written and illustrated by Lily Cathcart and read aloud by Jack Steel. To read rather than listen to this story you can go to our Sanctuary First blog post . We are delighted to feature: ‘Stories Round the Table; a series of five specially commissioned short stories by Lily Cathcart which explore how subtle moments around shared tables can change our lives...

Making Room: Stories Round the Table 4, written and illustrated by Lily Cathcart and read aloud by James Cathcart. To read rather than listen to this story you can go to our Sanctuary First blog post . We are delighted to feature: ‘Stories Round the Table; a series of five specially commissioned short stories by Lily Cathcart which explore how subtle moments around shared tables can change our liv...

Seeing the Wood for the Trees in Mission Find more episodes on Sanctuary First This week on the Emerging Emmaus Podcast we spoke to Peter Wood. Peter can certainly ‘see the wood for the trees’ when it comes to mission. From The Congo, to Cambridge to Mission Officer of Lothian & Borders Presbytery, with warmth, passion & insight Pete shares about his role & how they’re listening prayer...

Room Enough For Grace: Stories Round the Table 3, written and illustrated by Lily Cathcart and read by Laura Digan. To read rather than listen to this story you can go to our Sanctuary First blog post . We are delighted to feature: ‘Stories Round the Table; a series of five specially commissioned short stories by Lily Cathcart which explore how subtle moments around shared tables can change our li...

Finding Harmony: Stories Round the Table 2, written, illustrated and read by Lily Cathcart. To read rather than listen to this story you can go to our Sanctuary First blog post . We are delighted to feature: ‘Stories Round the Table; a series of five specially commissioned short stories by Lily Cathcart which explore how subtle moments around shared tables can change our lives forever. Each story...

Restless Sanctuary Episode 4: So what is Communion? Listen to our new podcast about faith, restlessness and the search for meaning! In each episode James Cathcart and Albert Bogle from Sanctuary First share what it’s like to be restless Christians, wrestling with the Bible and spirituality as they try and live it out today. This week they ask: So what is Communion? Why do we do it? And how can it...