The Community of the Open Sanctuary Nourish & Flourish Retreat and Ordination Ceremony 2026 St Mary's, Perth | 28–30 September 2026 by Reverend Angela Maughan We are delighted to announce the details of this year's Community of the Open Sanctuary Retreat and Ordination Ceremony, taking place at St Mary's, Perth, from 28th to 30th September 2026. Our theme for this year's gathering is Nourish & Flourish — an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly sustains

31st May 2026 by Aileen Palmer, Community Celebrant What a truly remarkable day it was, nestled amongst the rolling hills of Dumfriesshire, at the end of May, for the Clan Jardine Gathering at Applegarth Church. As a local celebrant and community minister-in-training, I had the distinct honour of holding the space at this special occasion, and I am still filled with gratitude for the warmth and connection that permeated the air between people of different ages, nationalities

Weddings, Glens, Rituals, and the Joy of Showing Up Written by Rev. Thomas Baxter Every so often, I look back over a fortnight and think, “Well… that was a fair old mix.” The last fourteen days have been exactly that — a joyful, slightly chaotic, deeply meaningful tapestry of ministry in all its shapes and sizes. If anyone ever wonders what a community minister actually does, I could simply hand them these two weeks and say, “This. All of this. And somehow it all makes sense.

Reflections on Our SICA CPD Evening - Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written by Rev. Diane McLeish On the 23rd of April, Aileen and I had the privilege of holding space for the Scottish Independent Celebrants Association (SICA) in a CPD session exploring Community Ministry / Celebrancy, what it is, why it matters, and how it is lived in real communities. Although the session was designed for ministers and celebrants, the heart of the conversation speaks to something much wider: how

Naming & Welcoming Ceremonies in the Spirit of Community By Reverend Diane McLeish, Open Sanctuary There are moments in life that ask us to slow down, to gather, to breathe, to recognise that something new has entered our world. The arrival of a baby. The joining of an adopted child with their forever family. The blending of households. The moment an adolescent or adult steps into a new name or identity. These beginnings deserve to be witnessed, honoured and held with tendern

In reflecting on A Course in Miracles Lesson 109, I’m drawn to the idea of resting in the peace of God. The lesson invites us to be still and unafraid, but I know that understanding this fully takes time. When I take time to rest in God’s presence, I realise that this rest is not just for me—it’s shared with others. The peace I receive becomes complete when I offer it to my brothers and sisters. The lesson reminds me that this peace isn’t limited by time. When I take time to

Reflections from Anam Cara by John O’Donohue I recently immersed myself in the profound wisdom of John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara: Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World, and a particular chapter titled "Love is the Nature of the Soul" deeply resonated with me. This chapter beautifully explores how love is not just an emotion or state of being but an essential element that the soul needs to thrive, much like air for the body. O’Donohue reminds us that love awakens hidden dimension

A few weeks ago, I came across Farther Up and Farther In (Book 2), a part of the Celtic Daily Prayer series. The book's daily readings and reflections have been deeply moving and inspiring. One particular EATA Reading from August 17th emphasised that contemplative prayer is more about being than doing – it’s about simply being present rather than striving for outcomes. This insight, along with the reflections on Psalm 130:5-7, Isaiah 30:18, and Romans 15:13, created a rich ta

Alan Heeks: Spiritual roots in stormy times Session 1: The Spiritual Gift in Climate Change Session 2: Reinventing the monastery Click Here for Alan Heeks' Briefing for this event Video recording of Cana Conscious Conversations (CCC)Saturday 14th September 2024https://youtu.be/0P21C1AQbCM 1 Hour 13 mins

Recently I was away and initially the internet was iffy at best and absent at worst. My do-aholic mind spent many ingenious hours plotting and scheming where to go to hack into the internet so I could honour commitments and `keep up ` with work etc. I had forgotten universal truths... one being that when I am away there are always less texts and emails... the universe knows. The other, just trust. Then I was on a boat with no internet. Initial frustration was quickly transfor

In today's fast-paced world, where information inundates us and distractions abound, the essence of authentic communication is more vital than ever. Genuine communication is all about being truthful, open, and vulnerable when we engage with others. It serves as a conduit to deeper connections, enhanced understanding, and personal growth. In this blog post, I explore the seven keyways to authentic communication that have the potential to nurture more profound and authentic bon

As I make my way through the profound teachings of A Course in Miracles (ACIM) offered by the Foundation for Inner Peace, I find that each day brings its unique set of challenges and revelations. Some lessons flow easily, while others, like Lesson 128, "The world I see holds nothing that I want," can present quite the conundrum. In my quest for understanding, I turned to YouTube, hoping to discover videos that would illuminate the depth of these teachings. Lessons 128 and 129

"Working through both The Way and The Ordination Course has been quite an adventure. When I joined, I had no idea how deep it would take me. If you want to go on a real journey of self exploration and learn about your own spiritual, personal and moral alignment, then I highly recommend this course. It has helped me to determine a clarity of focus, pushed me to the dusty corners of my soul and afforded me many amazing friendships. Life changing, certainly. And in the best way.

In our physically and emotionally complex world there is a place for simplicity. For staying in the moment, being fully present, just being love in every situation. St Francis, the saint who is often linked to nature, the animals, birds, and stars took simplicity further still. He internalised it to include his will and ego, to then surrender his all to his God. He is reputed to once have said “Why are we not just in love with love?” Quite a thought to realise how much we obj

Book - endings Here in the Open Sanctuary, we are deeply aware of the power of ritual, of marking passages of time, seasons, situations and so forth. On a daily basis we offer a Morning and Evening Office; this is a Sacred Space in which to settle the heart and mind enabling us to hear Divine guidance. These times in Sacred Space represent setting the Intention for the day in the morning office with the evening office being a time for Reflection on how the day has been throug

In a world that often values ego and self-promotion, the virtues of humility and unconditional love stand out as beacons of light. These qualities, rooted in the core of our spiritual selves, have the ability to transform our lives and our relationships. Humility: The Art of Selflessness Humility is the gentle art of recognising our own limitations and imperfections. It's not about self-deprecation or putting ourselves down but rather an honest acknowledgment of our humanity.

The Open Sanctuary have just had their AGM. The perfect opportunity to experience beginnings and endings. What has been resisted, learned from and offered to another in the previous year. It is a natural point of review, reflection, renewal and growth. From the previous year what informs the coming year and what can we now offer from that acquired wisdom? Sometimes it takes courage to step into a new version of ourselves as it is often untried and untested. It takes courage

In my three heartfelt encounters with Donald before his passing, I was struck by his gracious and humble spirit. Together, we meticulously planned his funeral service, from newspaper announcement, music to the eulogy. His legacy was simple yet profound—to be a good man. Donald's contentment in recounting his happy life served as a testament to the depth of his character. In his quiet way, he reminded us of all that a life lived with kindness and humility leaves a lasting impa

I travelled from Aviemore to Edinburgh yesterday, the day was perfect, and I wasn't driving so I could soak up the fabulous views, the truly amazing scenery and be reminded of the wonder of this amazing wee planet. Edinburgh was its usual busy city, people everywhere, all rushing, vehicle sounds and toots, it was also very hot which always acts as a magnifying glass. For a couple of hours every sense was assaulted from the sounds, the sights, the rush, the smells, and the tas

I had a fascinating conversation with a dear friend recently and we wandered into the topic of expectation…Not only the subtle unconscious childhood expectations but also the ones we have developed in our attempts to palliate the fears that lie beneath. An example might be within a relationship. If there is a fear of abandonment, she meets a man and finds him perfect and then changes herself to be whom she thinks he wants her to be to ensure he does not leave her…He, on the