Last chance to get early bird tickets.

There are just a few days left to buy your tickets at our lowest rate. Get your tickets before the end of February and you will save money – and help out our cashflow.  Need more persuasion? Take a look at some of the highlights already conformed for our line-up.

LINE-UP – listen, learn, create, watch, join-in, debate, play.

If variety is the spice of life, then SOLAS 2010 is red hot! We want to reflect the diversity of the Arts in Scotland with a programme that welcomes all ages and caters to all tastes.
We think there is something in here for everyone and there’s much more to come…

So keep checking our website regularly for updates!

MUSIC
Our eclectic music programme celebrates the Scottish music scene in the context of a world stage – here are just some of the artists we’ve already booked :

Steeped in the rich tradition of Americana, MCINTOSH ROSS have blended the sounds of Caledonia and California – you may be familiar with their work in Deacon Blue, but this is the First Couple of Scottish pop as you’ve never seen them before

Scotland’s favourite festival band PEATBOG FAERIES have taken their unique brand of Celtic fusion all over the world

Irish songstress JULIET TURNER revisits the intimacy of her early sound with acoustic guitar and narrative story-telling

BIG GROOVE SAMBA DRUMMING will be there to get you dancing

TALKS
Immerse yourself in issues of faith, justice, politics and climate change with our programme full of talks and debates. We’ve invited some of the most engaging speakers, writers and activists we could find, inside and outside of Scotland :

One of the most controversial religious figures in the U.K, writer, broadcaster and Chair of the Scottish Arts Council – RICHARD HOLLOWAY

Described as one of ‘Scotland’s top 100 thinkers and opinion formers’, (the Scotsman), one of the county’s ‘brightest and best’, (the Sunday Herald), and ‘Scotland’s most influential Muslim’, (the Sunday Times), – OSAMA SAEED

A fiery and lyrical commentator on faith and culture in Scotland – poet, preacher, and campaigner for justice, and currently Director of Christian Aid Scotland – KATHY GALLOWAY

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire, and Secretary of State for International Development – DOUGLAS ALEXANDER MP

Independent scholar, activist, speaker, writer and broadcaster – ALASTAIR MCINTOSH

PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
Participation will be at the heart of our performing and visual arts programme, so you can join in with a whole host of workshops and creative opportunities. We’ve also got some exceptional performances and a whole mini-festival for film buffs to get their teeth into :

Award winning novelist and film-maker BERNARD MACLAVERTY

Star of Sweet Sixteen and Red Road – MARTIN COMPSTON

Presenting a traditional puppet show of the Ramayana with live Indonesian music – MAGS SMITH

GIFT AMU LOGOTSE AND HIS AFRICAN ADVENTURE – just one exciting event amongst our extensive programme of all-age multi-cultural story-telling

CHILDREN”S PROGRAMME
We’ve selected entertainers who really know children – and their parents. There’ll be plenty of fun activities for families to enjoy together :

With their unique blend of top quality music, entertainment and emotional and spiritual sensitivity… – FISCHY MUSIC

Live and Loopy for 2-6 year old’s – STICKY KIDS SINGALONG with Molly Muddle

Presenting their new summer show – Brand New Andrew and Fair Trade Fred – HOPSCOTCH THEATRE CO

In addition to these (and many more) child-friendly performances, you will be able to book your child into ONE supervised session per day at the festival. Sessions will be limited and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You can pre-register your child by following the instructions on the website as soon as you have booked your tickets – another great reason to get them early!

YOUNG PEOPLE’S PROGRAMME
For those that are too cool for school (but still have to go!), there will be instructor-led activities and a safe, creative space where you can shake off your parents for a bit and and make some new friends :

THE RESOLUTION PROJECT – video animation workshops and short film-making for 11-18 year old’s

MEGAMIX – with youth leader-led outdoor activities including den-making, Bogie construction, Tipi building, rocket launching, extreme Frisbee and circus skills

GET INVOLVED – VOLUNTEER
We hope that everyone who comes will be an active participant in the life of the festival and there will be plenty of opportunities to join in. We are also looking for volunteers and contributors -

click here to visit the page on the website for more information on the many ways you can get involved.

SUPPORT SOLAS _ BECOME A SOLAS SAINT
Please consider giving Solas your financial support by becoming a “SOLAS SAINT”. Our goal is to get 100 people to pledge a minimum of £5 a month. If we can meet or exceed this target within the next few weeks, it will give added strength and stability to festival planning and programming. An early pledge of at least £5 a month (Gift Aid will boost its’ value), will help SOLAS (Gaelic for light), to shine…

click here to visit the Solas Saint webpage

So, be a shining example – become a SOLAS SAINT today!

Who Would Jesus Vote For?

In the near future, probably May 2010, we are expecting a General Election across the United Kingdom. Over the last 2000 years the relationship between Christianity and political power has been constantly changing, whether it be a very close relationship such as that in the Post-Constantine Roman Empire or whether it be in the very complex relationship in the United States of America. One of our key questions as Christians at this time must be whether it is appropriate for us to be involved in the political process and if so, on what basis and over what issues.

This 6 week series of evening classes is aimed at debating some of these issues from whether Christians should vote through to issues such as environmentalism, political parties or Scottish Nationalism. Whether you have a view or not on some of these issues, this will be an opportunity to explore the different avenues and prepare ourselves in advance of the media hype and the ballot papers.

The provisional programme is as follows:

There is no obligation to come to every class (classes can be paid for on an individual basis).  For further details contact Sandra McSporran (sandra [dot] mcsporran [at] icc [dot] ac [dot] uk).

Both sessions were recorded but they both were more conversational so I’m not sure how much sense the audio will make.

You can download the presentations as PDF files from my web tools page.  Let me know what you think!

The first is in a literal sense… running.  10 years ago I ran a half marathon.  It turns out that residual fitness doesn’t last ten years!

The second road hitting is to Aviemore to lead a couple of seminars based around the Internet, both on Sunday morning.

My first seminar is about life online. (I didn’t pick the name!)

The second is

Child Protection: Young People and the Web

The internet is a new and uncharted country which, like most new places, has benefits and drawbacks. Like any other place it provides risks and opportunities for young people and adults alike. Join us to explore some of the risks and opportunities presented by the internet in safe and sensible ways.

Any thoughts on what you would want to hear about in either session?

Photo: Rob GT

The Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Committee are hosting a day looking at ‘Virtualisation & Society in Edinburgh on Thursday 21 January from 10am – 4pm.  The day is FREE.  To book your place email vcano [at] cofscotland [dot] org [dot] uk.

topics:

• How has virtualisation impacted on notions of identity?
• How has virtualisation impacted on our values as human beings?
• How has increased connectivity impacted on the nature of our organisations?
• How has increased connectivity and virtualisation impacted on our ability to develop meaningful communities?
• Is a regulatory framework desirable?
• What are the theological implications of the changes being brought to individuals, to society and to organisations by increased connectivity and virtualisation?

Speakers:

• Prof. John Eldridge. University of Glasgow. Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Prof. Phillip Schlesinger. Professor in Cultural Policy. Institute of Cross Cultural Studies. University of Glasgow.
• Dr. Heidi Campbell. Texas A&M University. Department of Communication.
• David Pullinger. Head of Digital Policy. COI.
• Prof. Michael Northcott. University of Edinburgh. New College.

Come and say Hi! if you’re going.

Cost £10 – includes lunch

St Silas Church, Glasgow, 69 Park Road, Woodlands, Glasgow G4 9JE

The event is a must for anyone interested in building a Christ-centered community where parents, carers and children can share their creativity, eat a meal and worship together outside of Sunday worship.  It’s ideal for Worship Leaders, Local Preachers, Ministers, Deacons, Sunday School teachers – the sky is the limit! There will be time to learn from Lucy Moore, to try out activities and make plans for the future.

Book soon. Places are limited and this even sold quickly out last time.

For bookings contact Fiona Inglis – Email: meth [at] scottishchurcheshouse [dot] org – Phone: 01786 820295 – Methodist Office, Scottish Churches House, Kirk St, Dunblane, FK15

messy church poster 2010

Renfield St Stephen’s Church, Bath Street, Glasgow

Sunday 29th November 2009, 7.00pm.

Part of the ‘Revised Standard Visions’ programme, 2008-09

In the lead up to Copenhagen, HOLY CITY gives over its diet of workshops and worship to issues around climate change and the prophetic responses demanded of humanity.

Workshops:

‘Politics & Copenhagen’:

ROSS LOVERIDGE, Energy Advisor to the Scottish Government gives us an overview of the issues that need to be addressed at Copenhagen.

‘A Green Bible & Incarnation’:

JOHN L. BELL draws on biblical insight to discern what’s demanded of us as stewards of God’s creation.

‘The End Of Suburbia’:

RAYMOND YOUNG shows a film and leads discussion on the implications for the way we live in spaces and places today.

‘Still the World’:

FIONA EVANS & MAGGIE LARKIN host a contemplative space with image and sound from humanity’s urban and rural habitats.

Worship: ‘A Reduced Creation?’:

participative liturgy of song, silence, word, image and symbolic action on a faithful response to the environmental challenges that face us.

Holy City is organised by the Wild Goose Worship Group and a motley assortment of Glaswegian citizens.

Jonny Baker is one of the best known Christian bloggers in the English speaking world. He brings a wealth of experience in Youth Work, Worship Leading/Curating, and Mission Support.

A prolific networker, over the years his blog has become a point of connection for many thousands of people involved in debates around emerging church, alternative worship and mission in the contemporary West.
This one-off blah/blether (named after similar events Jonny runs in England) begins with chat over curry + beer/irn bru, after which Jonny will speak and there will be time for responses and discussion.

All welcome, but booking essential by 26th Nov.
Cost £3 (£1 unwaged, £2 student) includes food – BYOB
Contact douggay [at] mac [dot] com

This event is also on Facebook

On Monday night Encounter begins.  As regular readers will know I was in Cuba in September with a group of young adults from the URC Synod of Scotland.  One of the things that grew from our conversations that week was to have a place where they could get to know other young adults and discover more about God and faith.  Encounter will be our way of giving that a go.  If you’re aged 16-25 and are interested in joining us in Glasgow on Monday night at 7.30pm in the URC Synod office at 340 Cathedral Street then come along.  You’ll be most welcome!

On Tuesday night me and the Mrs are off to see the comedy legend that is Eddie Izzard at the SECC in Glasgow.  We saw him on his Sexie tour and laughed from beginning to end.  Can’t wait to hear what manner of nonsense he’s talking about this time on the Stripped Tour.

The highlight of the week will be Wednesday when my wife Avril graduates as a mental health nurse WITH DISTINCTION.  I’m telling you about the distinction because she’s too humble and hasn’t really told anyone she’s got a distinction!  She has worked incredibly hard over the past three years and I’m amazingly proud of her.  I can’t wait to see her collect her degree on Wednesday afternoon.