Sanctuary

Sanctuary is SAW’s in-house Christian community, run in partnership with the Methodist Church. A “New Place for New People”, it differs from a traditional church, both in its meditative and artistic approach to activities, as well as in its structure of a monthly worship service alongside twice-monthly Bible study gatherings.

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Sanctuary aims to cultivate a space where people feel welcomed, accepted and able to participate without pressure or judgement; where creativity, imagination, and artistic expression are recognised as important ways to explore faith, and where opportunities for genuine encounter with God, with one another and with deeper questions of meaning and belief are created.

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Those who gather with us represent a diverse mix of backgrounds and experiences. Some come from Shieldfield and the surrounding areas, while others travel from further afield. We have welcomed ecumenical friends, people who have experienced hurt or exclusion within more traditional church settings, and those who are still exploring faith and seeking to understand what they believe. This diversity has become one of Sanctuary’s strengths. Rather than fitting a single mould, Sanctuary is increasingly becoming a place of openness, hospitality and gentle exploration.