Fire.Cloud EDITION 7 / APRIL 2011 welcome... Hello and welcome to our Spring newsletter. We’ve had a busy couple of months and have lots to report. Our Lentfest event ‘100 Hearts’ was a great success and we presented two of our research studies in Perth during March. This month we’re doing a bit of organisational spring-cleaning; reviewing projects, considering strategy and thinking about the big picture of our future hopes for Fire.Cloud. The light is lengthening at night now and there’s a hint of fun in the air in the Hidden Lane as we turn our attention to the upcoming summer months. Hopefully you’re feeling that too! Suzanne Bunniss Fire.Cloud Director contact Want to know more about Fire.Cloud stuff? • There’s loads of info at www.fire-cloud.org • Follow us on Twitter (Firecloud1) and Facebook (Fire.Cloud) • Finally, If you have any ideas, thoughts, or something you think we should hear about let us know at [email protected] Suzanne Bunniss newsletter introducing... NAME: Harriet Mowat ROLE AT FC: Research Associate HARRIET’S MOST MEMORABLE F.C MOMENT: “Fire.Cloud speaks to me of a realm of possibilities that I hadn’t thought of before! Suzanne and I know each other well , even so I am always amazed at what ideas she has, what purpose and courage she has in pursuing them and the wonderfully talented and committed people she has around her. Fire.Cloud is a storm!” F.C SAYS: “Harriet has been involved with Fire.Cloud research since we set up in 2008. Based in Inverness, Harriet brings a touch of class to proceedings in our research trips throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. She and her trusted labrador ‘therapet’ Holly can be found running the hillsides and cooking up delicious food to fuel the lively research discussions around Harriet’s kitchen table. Her extensive work as a researcher, author and professor has given her invaluable insight and wisdom into those big questions facing society. We couldn’t do without her!” stop press! Ever wonder what happens to the press photographs that don’t make the news? Wonder no more, because we’ve just confirmed we’ll be collaborating in a photography exhibition this coming autumn that goes beyond the front page. We’re working with Joe Mulholland from the celebrated Hidden Gallery and John Linton from the Scottish Press Photographers Association to showcase the pictures that tell the human stories behind the news. More about this in coming months… intention of the month Recent months have seen so many large-scale disasters and political conflicts around the world. Please pray with us for those affected by these events and the relief teams working in these areas, that they will find the strength and courage to go on despite witnessing such tragedy and loss. 100 hearts 23rd of March saw ten weeks of work and anticipation come to life at our ‘100 Hearts’ event. The days before were a flurry of excitement as St. Margaret’s church in Clydebank was transformed for the evening with music, light and paper hearts. We were delighted by how many of you made the effort to come along - the final ‘heart count’ was 161 – and your support and energy made it a great night. The idea of the evening was to give up the things that weigh us down in everyday life, so we hope you all felt a little lighter on the way home! Email: [email protected] or check out our website www.100hearts.co.uk for more details. resilience & spiritual care research In 1948 the World Health Organisation stated that ‘Health is not just the absence of disease, it is a state of physical, psychological, social and spiritual well being’. Ever since, research has been asking what spiritual wellbeing really means and how it can be encouraged. So, on 30th March we packed up and headed to the Building Resilience, Enhancing Spiritual Wellbeing conference in Perth, to present the findings of two studies we’ve been working on for the last 12 months in this area. It was a lively day with loads of thoughtful discussion on these big questions and these findings will be published later this year. If that wasn’t enough, it was a chance to wear a ‘Madonna’ microphone – who says research can be boring?! ’’ ‘‘ Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Ice Cube Quote submitted by Michael McGuigan! If you have a favourite quote let us know for our next newsletter. roll up, roll up!! Did you know we’re selling postcards? Thanks to a fusion of skills from Julie, Jenny and John (no they don’t work in children’s TV…) Julie’s internship artwork has been transformed into inspired little packs of postcards. Perfect to send for Easter or as a gift, the cards are available in packs of 10, including envelopes, for only £5. The funds raised from the sale of these cards will be reinvested to support future Fire.Cloud projects within our local community, so your money will go towards creating something new and vibrant. To reserve your pack simply email, [email protected]