PAUSE is a Christian organisation that provides a mobile prayer and reflection space in a van! The van can be borrowed and used by local churches and organisations to enable them to facilitate prayer and reflection spaces in their own context, in schools, work places, town centres and at community events.
PAUSE is the vision of Gordon and Moira Shanks. They live on the beautiful west coast of Scotland where they have been involved in church leadership, in worship and in organising prayer spaces within their own church community as well as helping to coordinate prayer across North Ayrshire. Gordon is also involved in the admin and technical support at church. Three grown-up children and two granddaughters keep them busy, too!
Gordon
Gordon is responsible for the organisation and admin of PAUSE. He has a background in education, having recently retired from secondary teaching. When he’s not keeping up with all things tech, you might find him keeping up with the latest Marvel film!
Moira
Moira is responsible for the resourcing of the space, coming up with the ideas and activities which come with the van. She works with local church teams and organisations to support them and to ensure that everything provided is appropriate for their context. Moira is a recently retired primary teacher and is still registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. In her spare time Moira loves catching up with family and friends over a cup of good coffee or a glass of red wine.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to give everyone an opportunity to pause and reflect and connect with God.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is:
- To provide a fully resourced mobile prayer and reflection space for use in schools, town centres, workplaces and at community events.
- To equip churches and organisations to serve their community by facilitating prayer and reflection spaces in their context and community.
OUR VALUES
-
CREATIVITY
We seek to use and inspire creativity in all that we do.
Within each prayer and reflection space there may be opportunities to express hopes and dreams, fears and worries, ask big questions, be thankful or simply enjoy a moment to be still.
Each space uses a variety of learning styles and imaginative activities to enable everyone to interact with the space and express reflections or prayers in their own way.
-
UNITY
We encourage churches and organisations from different traditions to work together to serve their community.
Partnering with different churches and different organisations means we can reach wider and makes follow up much easier.
-
WELCOME
Our aim is that everyone who uses the space will feel welcome, valued and safe, experiencing the kindness and welcome of God, no matter their background or belief.
ORGANISATIONS WE ARE WORKING ALONGSIDE
At PAUSE part of our mission is to equip churches and organisations to serve their local community. We love being part of the Prayer Spaces in Schools network, a ministry of 24-7 Prayer Scotland. It’s great to work alongside 24-7 Prayer Scotland and Scripture Union as they also look to equip local churches and communities in Scotland.