Postcard from a Tribal Gathering

A few of Zac's Place Tribal Gathering Regulars

The Guardian have been requesting pictures of church congregations for a photo collection - here's one that was submitted by Liz one of our regulars, of a few of us at a Tues night at Zac's Place.

Sorted!

Zac's Place features in a three page article in the March/April edition of 'Sorted' magazine. You can purchase it in WH Smith's or online at this link.


If you've not checked out this alternative men's magazine before, this is a good opportunity!

Additional Tribal Gatherings At Zac's Place

Deliberately different to most 'church' gatherings, but in a similar vein to our long running Tuesday night Tribal Gatherings, Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins, will also provide opportunity for Jesus followers to gather, to share stories, prayers, readings, songs, art and struggles in a unique environment on the first Sunday of each month from 3rd Feb.

It will be similar, in as much that group participation is encouraged, (but not compulsory) and a little more structure to Tuesdays  - but it's not about a couple of people entertaining a congregation, more about a corporate adventure rather than any heroic individual pursuit.  It continues to be about a community of people working out together what it is to live under the rule of Christ. So come along and feel free to bring something to the table - either to eat or to share in words, or just be in the company of like minded pilgrims and feed on the fellowship, conversation and honesty that marks our gatherings.

For this first gathering we'll be looking at what Jesus meant when he said; "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5 v 3) - using Bill Taylor- Beales painting based on the words, as inspiration.
Psalm 31 will also feature - so have a read of it, at this link first and see what it stirs up.

Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins

Sunday 3 Feb and each first Sunday of the month, from 4pm 

Tuesday Night Tribal Gatherings continue each week from 7.30pm

Map:

Zac's Place, George Street, Swansea, SA1 4HH.

Video Update for Fresh Expressions

Here's a short video update I did for Fresh Expressions just prior to the tour dates back in September - mainly chatting about the struggles and encouragements we experience at Zac's Place. Hope you find it helpful.
See the video in it's context on the Fresh Expressions site here and have a bit of an explore around the site to see what else is going on. For those with specific interest in the Fresh Expressions initiatives, there's an event in London on 22 Nov which maybe of interest.

Never Stop Asking The Questions

When Zac's Place began 14 years ago, we called it, 'Zac's Place - Church In A Pub?' The question mark was always very important, as we really didn't know what, if anything, it would develop into. In many ways, although we are now 'Zac's Place - A Church For Ragamuffins', it remains important to ask the questions - What is Church and are we fulfilling the mandate that we find in the Scriptures?

In the current series of studies and discussions at our Tuesday evening Tribal Gatherings, we are looking at those issues. I often ask three questions of any church activity to ascertain whether it fulfills a role or whether it's just something we do because that's what we've always done. They are all based on relationship - how does what we do affect our relationship, (and therefore connection, view, understanding etc) with a) God b) each other and c) the wider community we serve. If we struggle to answer at least one of those positively for any endeavor as 'church', we really did ought to be asking ourselves, 'what are we doing it all for then?'

This week, we also welcomed Roy Jenkins from BBC Radio Wales to join with us. You can catch an interview with me and various  sound bites from our time together on his 'All Things Considered' Programme on BBC Radio Wales this Sunday, 30 Sep at 9am and it will be available on iPlayer afterwards and on their Podcast.


UPDATE:
Listen to this interview here:

... And Home Again

It was great to have had so much opportunity on the road this past week. Meeting new people and catching up with so many old friends along the way was a great encouragement. Each event attracted a wide diversity of people, which is exactly how I think it should be. The final two dates in Leeds and Stoke were no exception to this and I enjoyed the varied dialogue with as many people as possible.

Feedback has been really positive and very kind - certainly enough to make me think the week on the road has been worthwhile. I really do hope that some have been inspired to re-evaluate the basis of what it means to be a follow of Christ on the margins and others who came along, feeling somewhat walking wounded, feel they have had some food for the soul to keep going.

The week finished off with a diversion back north to the BBC in Manchester, to do a short interview for Radio 4, before heading south to Swansea.

Thanks to everyone that helped out at the venues, put me up, fed me and supported the dates.

For those that weren't able to get along, here's a few snippets of feedback that have come our way:

"My head is spinning today, I couldn't get to sleep last night. What you said hit me and the mrs like a sniper's bullet. Daring to take up the challenge of following the Lord where he leads us."

"It was great to hear your radical and refreshing approach Sean in Reading on Monday."

"170 MILES, bit damp and chilly after a days work. BUT oh so worth it mate, enjoyed the entire evening. Keep up the good work."

"Encouraging, uplifting, honest, down to earth and to the point!
Nothing more than I would expect from Sean Stillman but I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Tour Venue Details

As I make the final preps to next week's five dates on the road - here's a reminder of the venue details. I'm looking forward to seeing many old friends, travelling companions and meeting new people along the way! Deeply appreciate the good folks at Fresh Expressions who have supported this venture and also the host venues for being open to it. See you on the road . . . !

READING Mon 10 Sep

All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Ave, Reading, RG1 6JE

CAMBRIDGE Tues 11 Sep

Melbourn Baptist Church,  Melbourn, SG8 6DB

DERBY Weds 12 Sep

Ozzy Road Church, Derby, DE1 2GU

01332 349468 

LEEDS Thur 13 Sep

Harehills Lane Baptist Church, Leeds, LS8 4HF. 

0113 2628080

STOKE Fri 14 Sep

Wesley Hall Church, ST1 6HR

01782  281818

All events run from 7.30 - 9.30pm. 

Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

BBC Radio Interviews

Sean will be featuring on the following regional BBC radio stations on Sunday 2 Sep - speaking about Zac's Place and other aspects of mission.

0710 NEWCASTLE
0720 SHROPSHIRE
0730 STOKE
0740 COVENTRY
0750 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

0810 DERBY
0820 BERKSHIRE
0830 CORNWALL (On iPlayer until 9/9/12 apx 2h30min in)
0840 LEEDS
0850 CAMBS

When Love Crosses The Great Divide Preview

Gearing up ... Tour Update

Thanks to Fresh Expressions for this video promo - see detailed Tour Info Here

Rachel Taylor-Beales Gig Date Announced

We are pleased to be able to write that Rachel will be playing Zac's Place on Saturday 12 July. This date along with others follows the release of her second album, 'Red Tree'.



....When Rachel Taylor-Beales released her first album, it was met with great appreciation from those who heard it. BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris called Brilliant Blue "lovely" and Acoustic Magazine said it was "hauntingly beautiful". That album, the first in her colour trilogy, is now to be followed up by Red Tree. Released on 21st May 2008, Red Tree was recorded, produced by and features Martyn Joseph. The album blends folk, country and Americana in a bewitching, otherworldly fashion. It’s an album of great drama inspired by the music she heard as a child (Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell), her modern day fixations (Iron And Wine, Ani DiFranco) and by The Red Tree, an illustrated children’s book by Shaun Tan. Much like the book, the album reflects the fear and wonder of childhood. It’s haunting, sometimes eerie, vivid and often beautiful.