Quartz is a partnership between St John’s Dumfries and Wordsmith Crafts. Simon is supported a day a week to work flexibly to support Quartz activities, maintain this site and help people use the arts to experience, explore, and express spirituality through the arts, and for those that choose to, to enter into our heritage in […]

Tuesday 24th June 2025 Nativity of St John Join us to burn the shadows away! (Wordsmith Crafts Workshop, 3 James Avenue, DG2 9AU ///oiled.overnight.blotting) In the afternoon from 14.00 We will be getting together to have a go at making nettle cordage. A stretch goal is to use the nettle string to make a bow […]
Sunday’s Forest Church
Some images and videos as we stepped from the shadow to warm ourselves in the Sun.

Sunday the 15th of June 2025 As we draw closer to midsummer we meet with each other and God. To seek transformation, to bathe in the green, or just be aware of our curiosity. As is our custom we will gather outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the third Sunday of the month. Everyone […]
Guid Nychburris 2025

Songs of Praise This is a Dumfries town tradition. As well as the very noticeable public parade, there is also a songs of praise. This year it will be on Sunday the 15th of June, in Dumfries High school at 19.30 It is organised by the Dumfries Christian Network (DCN)
Psalm 23

Reflecting whilst Felting Quartz members contribute to using visual arts at the contemporary service in St John’s. Most church goers are used to using music and singing to aid their worship. Some of us learn as we figit, and find meaning in visualisation too. On Sunday the 11th of May we were led in a […]
Those involved in Quartz meet every second week to share a drink, reflect on scripture, and pray. The idea is that if we meet in small groups, about the size that will fit into a living room, then we can get to know each other better. We have a spiritual emphasis, but it is everyday […]
May Forest Church

Photos from our monthly gathering Alison led a time of reflection and worship. She would like to thank Anthony from “Church Without Walls” in Wigtown for his inspiration and contribution from a distance! This was followed with Mark teaching those who gathered a lovely Taize chant. We were joined by Sarah from Asheiri and are […]
Ukraine appeal
Do you remember that we helped a group of children and young people from Ukraine find some respite last year? Well the war hasn’t stopped and the Abernethy trust is raising funds to help do it again. You can find out more, with some of the stories about the impact it could have on young […]
QFC 18th of May

We will gather outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the 3rd Sunday in May We will read from the book, and creation. This month we will hopefully use music and take rubbings to reflect on #SensingSpirituality and the presence of God. Please dress for the weather! There are no facilities other than what can […]
World Labyrinth Day
On the first Saturday in May people worldwide will be thinking, and walking, about labyrinths. These are a very ancient tool which we have used in a lot of Quartz activities! This video gives an idea of just how global labyrinths are: The closest to Dumfries in I saw in the video was Renfrew. Ann […]