BLOG
Stories to inspire and inform
We write and release a new blog every week, each offering different insights and perspectives on life at Glasgow City Mission. Team members from our three different projects provide reflections and updates from within their respective services, our chaplain Marion Carson challenges us from a spiritual perspective and our CEO Charles Maasz regularly contributes with his thoughts.
Maintaining Mental Health in a Stressful World: Learning from a Prophet
Glasgow City Mission Chaplain Marion Carson shares with us a piece she recently wrote for Stedfast, the magazine of the United Free Church of Scotland.
Fully Seen, Fully Heard, Fully Known.
Chief Executive Charles Maasz provides an interesting insight into a well known piece of scripture where Jesus leads by example in breaking the socially hierarchical barriers that often prevent us from loving one another.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Clare highlights how difficult settling down and accessing important services can be for those pursuing a new life in the country, but draws from an important verse in the Bible which reminds us to have compassion and show love regardless of an individuals' situation.
What excuses do you use?
In this week's blog, Elyse MacKinnon challenges us to think about how we respond to our calling from God.
City Missions – At Home and Abroad
Chaplain Marion Carson reports on a recent trip by some colleagues to the European Conference of Urban Missions in Northampton.
Can I have some more?
In his blog Charles discusses the power of a little faith, and the idea that this measure of faith can be sufficient.
Big Arran Challenge
Bethany works for Glasgow City Mission in the Marketing and Fundraising team. Here she gives her thoughts on our successful fundraiser, The Big Arran Challenge.
The Story of a Victim
He arrived in Glasgow via London on the overnight bus. Over a hot cup of coffee in our city centre drop-in, and with the aid of a volunteer who could speak his language, he was able [...]
A Day in the Life of Urban
In this week's blog, Urban Coordinator Clare O'Sullivan shares some of the activities and experiences people enjoy as they engage with Urban - our creative 'moving-on' space located on our second floor.
Weak at the Knees
Marion Carson reflects on the positives of pain; how it can be gift, and how it has the power to break any relational barriers that prevent us getting closer to someone.
Exclusion & Embrace
The Bible mentions reconciliation a lot. We ought to assume then that it is important to get to grips with what it means. Join CEO Charles Maasz as he unpacks this theme during this week's blog.
Value in Vulnerability
Today, 20 June 2022, is World Refugee Day, followed closely by International Widow’s Day on 23 June 2022. As we prepare to mark these days at Glasgow City Mission, we are mindful of all those who have suffered hardship, displacement and loss, and in particular, those of our guests for whom these days will have significant pertinence.
World Refugee Day
Today, 20 June 2022, is World Refugee Day, followed closely by International Widow’s Day on 23 June 2022. As we prepare to mark these days at Glasgow City Mission, we are mindful of all those who have suffered hardship, displacement and loss, and in particular, those of our guests for whom these days will have significant pertinence.
Vulnerability as Strength
Making ourselves vulnerable is risky business in a society that only seems to value the strongest, the fittest and the smartest. Charles Maasz explores the merit in vulnerability, and how it should be seen as a strength and not a weakness.
Healing for the Heart at the Overnight Welcome Centre.
This week’s blog comes from Jem Crawley who works for our Overnight Welcome Centre (OWC) partner, Healing for the Heart. Jem tells of his experiences of the listening service that Healing for the Heart provided for our guests. This service was of great benefit and we look forward to continuing our partnership during next season’s OWC.
It doesn’t take a lot to make a difference
As another year at the Overnight Welcome Centre draws to a close, manager Elyse MacKinnon shares with us some of the things she is grateful for, as we see record numbers of guests moving into positive outcomes.
Easter Hope
Marion Carson highlights the need for hope through the lens of the resurrection and in particular for our guests, many of whom struggle to have something to hope for. She explores where this hope come from and how we work every day to pass this onto our guests.
Remembering James
We were greatly saddened by the recent death of one of our guests. James Hyslop was known to us for many years; he was much loved and will be sorely missed.
‘Why do you look for the living from among the dead?’
As we approach Easter, Charles Maasz explores our role and responsibility in loving and looking out for others, and challenges us to share the message that Christ has indeed risen and is very much alive.
Doing Stuff with the Stuff the Lord Has Given
This week, we are challenged by CEO Charles Maasz on what we do with the gifts that we receive from God.
The Lion’s Den
After a remarkably quick few months, final plans are being made in anticipation of the closure of the Overnight Welcome Centre at the end of March. Elyse MacKinnon shares some of her thoughts and reflects on what we can learn from some of the challenges faced by the team this season.
A Rookie’s Mate
This week, one of our long-serving volunteers shares and reflects on an experience she once had with a guest concerning the game of chess.
Are We Part of the System?
Marion Carson challenges us to examine and refine our thoughts around shopping habits, and draws parallels with the Biblical story of Joseph to ask if we do enough when it comes to fighting modern day slavery, exploitation and oppression.
Family
Clare O'Sullivan shares some of the experiences that help integrate guests into the Glasgow City Mission family.
Good design and good environment reflects God
City Centre Project Manager Ewan Clydesdale discusses how God's provision over the years has occurred regardless of the place or space that we at Glasgow City Mission call 'home'.