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Connect
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
September 2012
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and at www.scottishbaptist.org.uk!
As BUS Youth Development
Coordinator, leading into summer is
one of the busiest times of my year.
The summer itself is still hectic, but
it becomes more about meeting all
the young people taking time out of
their own summer to serve churches
across our Union. At the beginning
of July, as Step Outmissions
started, I saw a long summer ahead
of us. Yet all of a sudden here I am,
telling you all about it now its
finished. How quickly time flies
and how much there is to share!
The Olympics had the strapline
Inspire a Generation and that
simple thought sums up the
summer for me. There is an amazing
bunch of young people from many
different churches across our Union
who have taken time out to inspire
a generation about Jesus. They havedone that by running holiday clubs
and youth clubs, getting to know
young people, and sharing
something of Jesus love with them.
The young people taking part in
the Step Outprogramme have done
Inspiring a GenerationReflections onStep Out 2012
an amazing job of inspiring a
generation about Jesus. There were
forty people taking part this year,
varying in age from 14 to mid-
twenties. Quite a few who have
done Step Outbefore didnt join this
summer, for various reasons
including graduating and job hunting.
Please pray for these young people
as they move into the next stages of
what God has planned for them, for
a sense of His leading and guiding.
Many others joined the programme
again, giving up between one and
four weeks of their summer to go
around the country telling people
about Jesus. Excitingly there were a
large number of people joining Step
Outfor the first time. Its really
encouraging to see so many new
young people wanting to take part.
Training took place in June inInverkeithing Baptist. As there
were so many new people it was
slightly quieter than Im used to on
the Friday night ... but by Sunday
solid friendships had been formed
and it was no longer quiet! One of
the highlights was Alan Donaldson
coming to speak with the young
people about how far they were
willing to go to serve Jesus, sharing
something ofAn Invitation to a
Journey with them. Step Outis a
lived-out embodiment of what we
are reflecting on inAn Invitation To
A Journey, an embodiment of being
intentionally relational,
unashamedly missional, and
creatively rooted. It was great to
encourage the young people and
help them see themselves as part of
the whole family of Baptist
churches in the Union and what
were about.
We have a really gifted group of
young people within our churches
and it has been inspiring, to me at
least, to see them grow in their
discipleship and boldness in tellingpeople about Jesus. For some of the
young people, sharing their
testimonies, talking, or leading
things was a relatively new
experience in this kind of setting and
they all did brilliantly! Each of the
teams have daily devotions, which
different team members lead, and it
was both challenging and inspiring
to see how they were engaging with
the Bible, encouraging one another
to apply and live out what they
were reading.
We were able to work with 14
different churches in our Union,
with this being the first Step Out
for Ellon and Dunfermline West.
Each week was completely
different, and in each place it was
really exciting to see what God wasdoing. Id encourage you to pray
for the churches as they seek to
maintain connections with these
young people and their families and
continue building relationships with
them in a variety of ways.
The Step Outmaterial was
produced by young adults who are,
or have been, involved in Step Out.
There were many hours spent over
coffee discussing and planning
together, with people then going
away to work on specific things to
feed back into the group.
As well as prepared material the
teams would oftem share their own
testimonies too, sharing the
difference God makes in their lives
and challenging the young people to
think about following Jesus for
themselves. Messy games,
challenges, quizzes and other things
combined with the material made for
fun youth evenings.
Overall the summer was
amazing, and there has been much to
be thankful for. The reunionweekend is due to take place in
November when there will be
another opportunity for the young
people to get together and share
stories from the summer, build on
the friendships that have formed,
and look ahead to next year.
Mo Gibbs
If you have young people in your
church who might like to get
involved in Step Out next summer,
or Step Out is something your
church would like to consider, thenplease dont hesitate to get in touch
with me as Id really like to share
with you more about Step Out.
Were already looking ahead to
next year and continuing to inspire
a generation in Jesus name!
At the Training Weekend
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Connect September 2012
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
The town of Nairn has significantly grown in the
22 years since the inception of Nairns Baptist
Church. (In BU of Scotland since 1992). The
population is about 8,500 in the town ,12,000 if
one widens the boundaries to include nearby
rural villages. Government statistics suggest
growth will continue, rising to nearly 14,000 in
the next 20 years. Of note is that every age
demographic except the over 65s is in decline.
Nairn was served by nine `Protestant
churches and one RC but the small Brethren
church closed this year. As the towns
population gets older so too does the
congregation of most churches. Regular Sunday
attendance is estimated to have fallen from
around 660/670 to around 450/470 in just a few
years. The `younger in the town are
conspicuously, not, replacing the older folks.
All the more remarkable then that our small
Baptist Church has managed to grow, for the
first time in its history hitting (and now
exceeding) fifty members. Additionally, we have
40 more regular attenders and if everyone turns
out we number well over 100.
Even more remarkable is that our growth is
cross generational, attracting new folks, mostly
incomers, some with families, some couples,
some singles. God has blessed us, and we are
humbly grateful, as we are to our wider Baptist
family in the Baptist Union of Scotland for their
financial support, as we move from a place of
some financial interdependency to sustainable
financial independence, (we are almost a NET
contributor and hope to be soon).New ministries in the past few years include
following up a desire to be better disciples. Eight
groups meet for regular prayer and Bible study.
The latest (with their leaderships blessing), sees
members of the local URC joining a Baptist-led
study group. This type of study is a new
experience for some of the folks.
Walking Nairns promenade this morning I saw a salmon leap from the sea shore. Occasionally the dolphins chase the salmon and we
can see them leap too! Small flocks of Oyster Catchers fly close over the sands seeming to flick from black to white as they dart and
twist in different directions. The Black Isle glistens on the far shore line, some seven miles over the Moray Firth. Gods rich blessing in
His creation is so evident here. This certainly is a particularly beautiful part of Scotland!
A salt water baptism in Nairn!
Last month the 8 young people on our puppet
ministry team joined in a local effort to provide
nurturing and fun to a dozen kids from Belarus,
in Nairn with the Chernobyl Childrens Lifeline
Charity. In May we welcomed Dave, Polly and
Zack, the Kosovo BMS Action team, fantastic
young witnesses to the Christian faith and the
value of mission. They gained access to both
primary schools and Nairns senior Academy.
To say they were a great hit understates their
impact and achievement! Our pastor is part of
the chaplaincy team in two of the schools, one of
which has been the domain of just one church
minister until a recent retirement. We have great
hopes for reaching the young in all the schools of
Nairn. This is relatively new Kingdom work.
Perhaps the greatest change for us has been to
our constitution, going from closed membership
to one which recognises the faith and value in our
church community of those Christians not
baptised as believers by full immersion.Hopefully, at some point they will share our
view and come to a place of believers baptism.
In the meantime they can join the church as
`associate members and contribute vital roles in
the life of the church.
We value your prayers. Thank-you for your
support. Rev. Tim Power
Nairn - Growing Town, Growing Church.
Dates: Saturday 15th September 2012 (Introduction and Baptists Identity 1)
Saturday 6th October 2012 (Baptists Identity 2)
Saturday 10th November (Interpreting the Bible 1)
Saturday 8th December 2013 (Interpreting the Bible 2)Saturday 19th January 2013 (Mission 1)
Saturday 16th February 2013 (Mission 2)
Saturday 16th March 2013 (Discipling 1)
Saturday 20th April 2013 (Discipling 2)
Saturday 18th May 2013 (Leadership 1)
Saturday 15th June 2013 (Leadership 2)
Initiate will bedelivered as a pilotcourse in 2012-13, at
a reduced cost of
100, by Ian Birch andStuart Blythe
Venue: The Board Room,Baptist Union of Scotlandoffice, 48 Speirs Warf,
Glasgow, G4 9TH,
Time: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Tea and coffee will be provided
but participants should bring a
packed lunch with them.
Lunch break will be an
opportunity for shared
discussion and prayer.
Participants will receive a folder
and notes and will be expected
to do work in-between meetings,
keeping a learning Journal
which will be assessed.
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Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, [email protected]. Charity Registration No:SC004960
September 2012
An appreciative client!
Dave Bookless
PLEASE NOTE: The events advertised in our publications or on our website cover the wider Christian scene in Scotland and do not necessarily
reflect the involvement or endorsement of Baptist Union staff or any specific knowledge about content.
Notice
Board
Facing the UnthinkableThis seminar runs on Saturday 6th
October, 2012, 9.00am to 1.30pm
in Morningside Baptist Church,
now at 2 West Tollcross,
Edinburgh, EH3 9BP. The Seminar
is especially designed to equip
trustees, leaders and all those who
work with children and vulnerable
adults by covering all aspects of
safeguarding. It is interactive and
opportunity is given for delegates
to ask questions or raise issues of
concern on any area connected to
protection of the vulnerable andgood working practices. Cost is
19.50 per delegate, including a
workbook (value 5) There are two
special group offers: Small Group:
5 places for 75; Large Group: 15
places for 200 (payment for this
offer has to be received in full on
booking) but individual names are
not needed.
Please note that the events
are by ticket only. If you are
booking less than three days before
the event please phone to ensure
there is space and you receive all ofthe relevant information. Book
online at www.ccpas.co.uk/
training.html or contact Karen
Ledger on 0845 1204550, option 3,
on Mon, Tues, Thurs during school
hours or on [email protected]
Saturday, 11th August, was a big day at Larkhall Baptist Church with the
Ordination and Induction of Tom Vernon, their new Associate Pastor.
Scottish Church HistorySociety Conference
24 October, 2012, in Stirling Baptist
Church, from 9.30am- 4pm. Theme:
Scottish Church History - Lessons
from the Past, Lessons for the
Future.Registration and welcomefrom 9.30 to 10 am. The Keynote
Address is by Prof T M Devine on
The Puzzle of Sectarianism in
Modern Scottish History followed by
papers from scholars on the
conference theme,with time for
discussion. Cost: 10 including
lunch. For more details or to book,
contact Christine Lumsden on
Messy Church Training13th October, Edinburgh
Training is being given for Scottish
Messy Teams by Lucy Moore,
founder ofMessy Church. The day
of training costs 10 per person or
50 for a team. For more information
contact Reuben Addis on
Under Christs RuleThis booklet of 6 Bible Studies for
churches was launched at Assembly
2011 but is now also available as a
download on our website
(www.scottishbaptist.org.uk)If you browse it, like it and want
to use it in your church, we also have
hard copies available at 2 plus p&p.
Order from Roberta on
[email protected] or call
0141 423 6169.
A Big Day for Larkhall Baptist
The Forfar Files...
Hello from Forfar!
Work on the building is pushing
forward with some time needing
to be caught up. We are hoping
all the structural work will be
completed by the end of
September when we will have
opportunity to complete some
of the internal furnishings. We
have a target date of the end of
October to start the group
Mainly Music which is an
opportunity for those with
preschool children to come
together for a fun time of music
and friendship. The officialopening date for the buildings
will be Saturday November 10th
which will lead into an open
week where people from the
community can come along and
see what is happening. Part of
what we are planning is to link
the past use
of the
buildings as
part of a
school into
what is
happening
now with
the
displaying
of photos and the sharing of
memories. We continue to take
opportunities to share in the
community for example by helping
in a charity shop and being part of
the organising group of a local pre-school group Mums and Mites.
Prayer is high on the agenda as we
sense the depth of the battle that is
going on. We value your prayers as
we prepare over the coming couple
of months for the opening week for
the building. Stephen Oyarzabal
Yearbook CorrectionsUnder professions in the Church
List at Broughty Ferrys entry the
figure refers to the total members
added, not professions of faith.Also, Mr Isdale Anderson, 15b
Whinney Brae, Broughty Ferry,
Dundee, DD5 2HU 01382 736549
now acting as Church Secretary.
In the BUS Accredited List, Rev
Howard Davids address should be
68 Balnakyle Road, Inverness, IV2
4BT, 01463 719144 and he served
at Grantown on Spey Baptist from
2002-2005. Please also note that the
following areAccreditedand not
Pre-Accredited ministers: Revs
Peter Carr, Douglas Craig, Peter
Foster, Andrew Giffen, Rae
Mackenzie, Stuart Murdoch, Ross
Murphy, Tim Power and Mark
Schenk.
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Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland 48 Speirs Wharf Glasgow G4 9TH admin@scottishbaptist org uk Charity Registration No:SC004960
Prayer Linkfor September
Engagement Diaryfor September
1 Journeying Together weekend in Oban,
Fort William and Lochgilphead.
2 This evening, John Greenshields will be with
the Bathgate church as their Interim Pastor,Harry Sprange, celebrates 40 years in the
ministry.
4 Our Unions Council meets today.
5 Today and tomorrow, John Greenshields
attends the National Settlement Team and
College Consultation on Ministry in
Manchesster.
9 Judy White preaches in Kirktintilloch
Baptist, John Greenshields preaches in the
Lighthouse Church, Forres, Alan Donaldson is
at Linwood Baptist this morning and at
Morningside this evening as they celebrate
Racial Justice Sunday.
10 Alan Donaldson is at the CRBS for training.
11 The joint BUS/BMS Assembly Planning
group meets this morning.
13 Our Unions National Team meets this
afternoon. Judy White visits Aberdeen
Christian Fellowship.
14 John Greenshields is in Westray this
weekend for the Baptist Church re-
opening.after refurbishment.
15 Participants on the new BUS/Scottish
Baptist College Initiate course meet for the
first time today.
16 Alan Donaldson preaches at Pollok Baptist
Church in Glasgow.18 Alan Donaldson and Judy White attend the
Mission Forum today and tomorrow.
23 Judy White preaches in Cupar Baptist
today.
26 Alan Donaldson and Brian More attend the
EBF Council in Berlin.
27 The National Team meets today.
Sunday 2nd
Jim Meighan, Chaplain, Stobhill Hospital,Glasgow. David Middlemiss, Army Chaplain.
Please pray for these chaplains in their
demanding roles in different spheres of service.
Sunday 9th
Larkhall: Rev Stuart Wadsworth. On
Saturday 11th August, Tom Vernon was
Ordained and Inducted as Associate Pastor at
Larkhall. We would appreciate your prayers as
Tom and his wife Christine and family settle
into the town and the church and Tom
establishes his ministry working alongside
Stuart. We would also appreciate yourcontinued prayers for Ruth, Stuarts wife, and
for Hazel our former Worship Leader who are
both battling cancer. Thank you for your
prayers which are much appreciated.
Leith, Edinburgh. Please pray for the church
and its pastor, Rev Bill Cowie.
Sunday 16th
Lerwick: Rev Iain Morrison. The first year in
our new church building has gone very quickly.
It seems only yesterday when Alan Donaldson
was challenging us at the open ceremony to
give the building away. I am glad to reportthat is exactly what we have been doing, with
hundreds of people from many different non-
church organisations going through our new
building during the week. We no longer have a
mission on our doorstep, the mission is now
within our doorstep. Our ongoing burden is to
help these people find their way to Jesus and
to life eternal. With this in mind, we plan to do
the Contagious Christian Course for the whole
church this coming Autumn. Pray that we will
learn to become more contagious sharing our
faith and the community with our new building.
Give thanks that we have already been blessed
in our first year, with 3 baptism, 6 newmembers and 14 people doing anAlpha course.
Leslie: Rev James Faddes. Its been an
exciting and challenging year for our fellowship,
in terms of youth and community work, as well
as exploring what it means to be a healthy
church. Please pray that God would empower
us to go and make disciples who will seek the
kingdom of God in Leslie and beyond. Our
priority is to seek first the kingdom of God,
rather than simply sustaining religious
activities. We are encouraged and excited about
the year ahead!
Sunday 23rd
Leven: Rev Mark Pexton. We are encouraged
and thank God for new people beginning to
attend the church. We pray that they feel
welcome in our church family and that through
prayer and our fellowship the Holy Spirit will
work in their lives.
We thank God for those in the church who
have recently come to faith and are now wishing
to be baptised and become members. A number
of the above group attended theAlpha Course
and through the teaching and the Holy Spirit
they have committed their lives to Jesus Christ.
We are blessed by the numbers attending our
youth programmes, led by a very able youthworker, supported by a number of committed
young volunteers. We pray this will continue and
the young people of Leven will become aware of
our youth work and be led to sample it.
Please pray that as we look to expand our
involvement and outreach ministry in our
community - that as we present proposals to the
church there will be a sense of confirmation and
unity among us.
Linwood Baptist Church: Rev Robert Voysey.
We give thanks for God's continued blessings,
especially in this, Roberts sabbatical year, and
for the provision of speakers in his absence.Linwood has a mainly mature membership
with a healthy 40-50 at morning service and 15-
20 at evening service. We continue to enjoy a
very close family type fellowship.
See and Know is run for children up to two
years old, Sunbeams for two to six years,
Trailblazers from six to high school and Bible
class groups. We also continue to have an
informal prayer time on Tuesday mornings, a
midweek prayer meeting on Wednesday night, a
monthly Prayer Breakfast and monthly
Fellowship Lunch. Our praise band plays at both
morning and evening services.
We give thanks that we have enjoyed Robertsministry for the past 15 years and would ask
your prayers as he returns in September. Pray
too that we would continue to find other
openings to present the Lords work.
Sunday 30th
Lochgelly: Rev Jonathan Magee. We give
thanks for the sale of the manse - a financial
resource for the future. The church continues to
appreciate opportunities to be a witness in the
community, although with little manpower, by
partnering with community groups. The Pastor is
regularly involved in School chaplaincy work, but
is also invited to all "over 70s treats" to meet thelocal senior citizens and offer pastoral support.
Through our Parent and Toddler group we have
developed a good relationship with young adults,
and pray that, in time, we will see some attending
the church
We would value prayer forCoffee Mates, a
drop in for men, well supported by men outwith
the church. Pray that we might see more
Christian men coming to add to the witness. We
are aware that men, nationally, do not usually
attend organised events. As a small church, we
have more opportunity to witness to men on a
percentagebasis.
Pastoral opportunities in the communitycontinue to abound, including funerals and
counselling needs. The church is small but with
great opportunities. We have a great God who
has opened up doors, but pray that in time we
will be resourced with more manpower.
On a wider and even international perspective
God has opened up doors to share His love even
with those of other or no faiths through the
internet as well as the published books of the
Pastor. Please pray that speaking engagements in
secular groups that arose through this will see
Gods hand continuing to bless..
Lochgilphead: Rev Derek Gibson. We have
been very blessed by God in recent days,particularly during our 'Family Week' in July.
This gave us many opportunities to reach out
and serve people of all ages within the
community. At the heart of our church life is
building relationships with people and providing
opportunities for them to engage with the
Christian faith. A key aspect of this is Messy
Church, which we run once a month, and it has
been so encouraging to see a good number of
young families come on a regular basis. On 9th
September we are holding a cafe style church
service as ourBig Welcome initiative and would
welcome prayer for this.
We are seeking to extend the present churchbuilding quite significantly so as to provide 2
additional general purpose rooms and better
kitchen facilities. This is a huge financial
undertaking for the church so please pray for
God's provision and that the whole process will
go relatively smoothly.