Connect

November 2012

Come Home Again

Martin Clarke and the Assembly praise band set the scene

Participating in the Mission of God

nder sunny autumn skies and in the shadow of Dundees famous statue of Desperate Dan, the friendly and ever-helpful staff of the Caird Hall flung open the doors to welcome delegates and friends to this years Baptist Assembly in Scotland. For some, there was truly an anticipation of coming

home again: seeing old friends, meeting new ones and listening to God together. Others were less sure of what to expect, many coming for the first time or returning after a number of years, wondering if they would really feel at home. However, concerns quickly dissipated as Assembly opened in celebratory
Rev Tony Peck

worship and with the first of three challenging Bible studies on Luke 4. The presence of Gods Spirits was evident from the outset, as was commented on by many who attended, including special guest Rev Tony Peck, currently serving as General Secretary to the European Baptist Federation: it was exciting for me to see how Scottish Baptists are undergoing a renewal of their life and direction There was a very positive spirit in the Assembly and a real desire to counter all the gloom about the decline of the Christian faith in the UK with a renewed emphasis on recovering a confidence in the Gospel and participating wholeheartedly in the mission of God. Throughout Assembly, delegates were invited to explore the missional theme from every possible angle: quietly in the

prayer room, corporately in preaching and story-telling, personally in times of response, creatively in drama and art, globally with presentations from BMS World Mission, practically out on the streets of Dundee giving away gifts, and so the list goes on. Assembly is a unique opportunity for our Baptist family to spend time together, and the stories shared of how God is working throughout our churches were exciting and inspiring, encouraging others not only to praise God but also to step out in faith themselves, to do the new things he is showing them to do in their location. Parish Nursing, Workplace Chaplaincy, Community Money Advice and Mainly Music for toddlers were just some examples of projects which have been taken up by Scottish Baptist churches as tools to engage with their communities. As an annual event, Assembly naturally generates analysis of the life of our Union in Scotland over the preceding year, for good or bad. It was a delight for the National Team to present such positive reports on all aspects of ministry, and to begin to gather encouraging feedback and ideas: for example, how to further develop the youth Step Out discipleship programme, or the desire of Assembly to express our solidarity and prayerful support to the churches in Lebanon and Syria. Healthy signs of growth are clear, and the welcoming of four new churches into our Union on Thursday evening
Puppets!

Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960

Connect

November 2012

Chris Duffett

was indeed a cause for celebration. But it didnt stop there! The next day, delegates agreed wholeheartedly to the setting up of a Pioneering Fund, allocating capital of around 240,000 released by re-location of the BUS office to be used for pioneering, cutting edge, church planting in Scotland. As Karl Martin said more than once in his talks, God is up to something: the Baptist family seem to be in agreement and have pledged their support. On the third day of Assembly, there was a noticeable drop in the average age of those attending! Families with young children, teenagers and youth leaders, all made their way to Dundee to join in the specially extended Super Saturday programme. In Central Baptist, families spread out their picnic mats, munching on sandwiches as Lynn Alexander and her team,

including Acting Up puppeteers from East Mains Baptist, took them through two hours of family fun around the theme of Participating in the Mission of God, followed by a spell-binding performance of Saltmine Theatre Company's production, The Book of Hope. It was amazing to see the different generations, parents, grandparents, carers, children, discovering more of God together: children smiling as parents tried in vain to coordinate their limbs for action songs, parents crying as children touched them and prayed a blessing on them, adults and young ones praying for God to move in their schools, churches and world. Equally exciting and surprising was what the teenagers (and their leaders!) learned and practised with Chris Duffet, 2012 President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain,

whose recent book "Big Hearted" is full of simple yet astounding ways to love people with the love of Jesus! Here are some of his own reflections after the event: "One highlight for me in my role at the Assembly was taking young people 'out there' amongst those who wouldn't have a clue about Jesus, let alone what it means to be a Baptist! We did the classic free fruit (of the Spirit) giveaways. Teams also had freedom to be creative. One of the teams I sent out decided to give away chocolates. I watched how they got on and they soon attracted a bunch of people around their generous act. One guy got talking to me and pulled out beneath his jumper a cross he had bought recently. He told me how his friends had been teasing him about having a 'stupid cross.' I asked him if be

had been thinking of becoming a Christian. He shared that he had been and wondered what it meant to be one. A thought crossed my mind that I should offer him the New Testament I had in my pocket He was so chuffed. As we left he thanked me for the gift of the Bible. He looked so happy." If you were with us for all or part of Assembly, then hopefully as you read this, you are prompted again to go and take that step which God's Spirit challenged you about as your participation in the mission of God. If you were unable to join us this year, why not listen to the talks as they become available online, chat to others in your church about how God spoke to them at Assembly, and perhaps even plan now to Come Home Again next year for Assembly 2013.
Ruth Donaldson

Annie from Saltmine TheatreCompany

Bible Study leader Glen Marshall

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and at www.scottishbaptist.org.uk!

Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960

Connect

November 2012

The Son and The Sun

Crown Terrace Baptist Church finds out that their notice board is getting noticed...

Dave Bookless

I have noticed several different posters displayed in the notice board at the side of the church and upon noticing them, have thought to myself how clever and eye-catching they were. I made the assumption that these posters were bought from wherever posters are bought from and found myself imagining this huge warehouse full of clever, thought provoking posters. How wrong I was! On Sunday 15th July, I was relaxing at home in the afternoon when a phone call came from the reporter based in Aberdeen, for the Scottish Sun. Stuart the reporters name had been passing by CTBC and noticed the current poster The Born Supremacy. To say he was excited about it would be a major understatement. Stuart was amazed at the cleverness and eye-catching nature of this poster. He regaled me, An appreciative client! at length, about how clever it was and what an unusual way to catch peoples attention. Stuart asked me for the background on the poster and I found myself on a journey of discovery. I now know that Lindsay Donald has all the ideas for the posters that appear in this notice board and her son Gavin designs and produces the posters. I felt extremely humbled that such a brilliant partnership is providing an amazing means of outreach to our local community and nationally, since the Sun reporter noticed them! A few years ago, Mark Halliday

had an article in the Baptist Times detailing what was necessary to make newcomers to church feel welcome. One of the main points he made was the fact that we shouldnt make any assumptions about the way we relate to people who are not used to being in a worship service. We should be careful not to alienate visitors by speaking in a secret language or behaving in a churchy way. The brilliant thing about The Born Supremacy poster is that it is instantly recognisable to anyone passing by the church and will attract their attention. On returning from my summer holiday and collecting books from church, I observed two guys walking down Windmill Lane and having a laugh upon noticing the poster. They spent a good few minutes looking at it and commenting upon it. Who knows what that encounter may grow into sometime in the future? Suffice to say that Lindsay and Gavin are doing a fantastic job in their month by month commitment to keeping the notice board relevant and eye-catching. I think we, as a church, should make clear our gratitude to them for this excellent work and support them by taking note of each poster as it appears and letting them know that this small job is of huge importance. Nobody told me that my duties as joint Church Secretary would include an appearance in The Sun!
Donna Minto

Westray Baptists - Doing it Themselves!

new sanctuary, quiet room, kitchen, church hall, Sunday school rooms and toilets! During the 20 months of the refurbishment the church met in the local school for morning services and with their friends at the Church of Scotland for the united evening services. Sunday, 16th September saw the official opening of the new building, with over 160 folks there to celebrate together. Pastor Gavin Hunter led the service of thanksgiving, at which John Greenshields preached on the words of Jesus I will build my church. A thank-offering at the morning

service realised the sum required to pay the final bills for all the work done, so all costs have now been met. - Praise be to God!

Having got a new roof seven years ago and a new manse four years ago, the folks of Westray Baptist Church decided to overhaul the main sanctuary of their building. They decided to do the bulk

of the work themselves to keep costs down, using the local builder from time to time. Then, when underway, they decided to continue and completely renovate the entire building. Now its got a

Pastor Gavin Hunter

PLEASE NOTE: The events metioned in our publications or on our website or social media can cover the wider Christian scene in Scotland and do not necessarily reflect the involvement or endorsement of Baptist Union staff nor any specific knowledge about content.
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960

Connect

November 2012

Notice Board
Festive Decorations
This mid-week holiday, with a time of worship and reflection built into the programme, has been organised by the Atholl Centre in Pitlochry. It will run from 13th to 15th November and be led by Maggie Robertson, who has a BA in Education and Design and has a craft company teaching a range of craft skills, especially textiles. These days are for beginner and intermediate crafters. Project packs will be available to buy or you can bring your own materials. For more info contact Iain at the Atholl Centre on 01796 473044 or see www.athollcentre.org.uk

BMS Womens Link Winter Programme

November 7th: Jean Somerville on her return visit to Nigeria. December 5th: Christmas Celebration. 2013 - February 3rd: Scottish Baptist Womens Fellowship Presidential Memories, with Andrea Voysey March 6th: Bangladesh Update with Bill Baxter. April 4th: BMS Update with Rev Judy White and AGM BMS West of Scotland Women's Link meets from 10.15am in Adelaide Place Baptist Church, Glasgow. Further details from Mrs Jan Watson on 01294 822594.

Lewis Misselbrook

Many of us remember Rev Lewis Misselbrook who, along with his late wife Molly, worked among our churches, preaching, speaking and assisting with consultancies, as part of our Scotreach mission programme in the early 1980s. After a long and active retirement, Lewis died on 1st October at the age of 91. A service of celebration and thanksgiving was held on 10th October. His sons Kris, Peter and David encourage anyone wishing to mark his passing to make a donation in his memory to Crisis Centre Ministries, Carpenter House, 32 Stapleton Road, Bristol, BS5 0QY.

Wanted : Mission Praise

Mull Baptist Church would be grateful for offers of Complete Mission Praise hymn books which are now surplus to requirements. If you can help, please contact Elvyn Blomfield on 01681 700398.

Something Por ort Some thing is Happening in Por t obello...

to raise money for Christian Aid. From 6am, a team made soup, baked cakes, and brewed coffee. Over lunch they were packed out, giving the homemade fare on a donation basis to the intrigued people of Portobello. "What's going on here?"one said, "I thought this place was derelict!" They raised 300 for Christian Aid and subsequent cafe days raised 400 for the BMS "Thirsty" appeal, and 200 for TEAR Fund. The cafe sits right next to the Portobello Bar, where the church has a good relationship with the staff. At last year's carol service, one of the barmaids led some customers in to see the display of candles and hear the band rehearsing for the event. One or two have even stumbled in to the midweek discussion, joined in, and even been prayed for! Carols by Candlelight itself was a great success. Andy said, "We weren't quite sure how many to expect, but we packed

Fifteen months ago, after four years as BUS Mission Advisor, Andy Scarcliffe was called to pastor the small church at Portobello. Sunday mornings saw around 15-20, mostly retired people attending, with a handful at the midweek Bible study. The faithful core of people were trusting that God would turn things around. Within the first year, attendance doubled on a Sunday morning. The format of the midweek
The Cafe in Action

meeting, held in the church cafe, changed. The buzz of excitement attracted new people, sometimes seeing 16 to 18 people getting to grips with what it means to follow Christ. You would find them drinking coffee, watching video clips, and breaking into small groups for discussion and prayer. There are also now, the beginnings of a Sunday School. One of the new people had the idea of using the church's purpose-built cafe one Saturday

the place out with over 150 folk singing praise to God, staying for mulled wine and mince pies". He continued, "Most who came were invited by people from the church. Some were family members who had not been there since they were in Sunday School. The local councillor was invited and joined in enthusiastically. One major landmark is the recent refurbishment of the cafe & church frontage which sits in the centre of Portobello High Street. There is a buzz in the wider community as people see the signs of new life, hope and confidence. The sanctuary itself in a previous life has been the Town Hall, a dance hall, and a cinema. When the old sign above the cafe was pulled down, it was just possible to see on one side "Music Saloon", and on the other, "Adolph's Bar". Who knows what the premises were used for in the past...and God knows what they will be used for in the future. Please pray!

Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960

Connect

November 2012

Engagement Diary for November

2 Alan Donaldson is at the pre-launch of More Than Gold. Judy White is at the Forfar church. 3 Our Public Issues and Social Action Group meets today. 8 The National Team have their Strategy Day. 10 Those on the joint BUS/SBC Initiate training course meet today. 11 John Greenshields preaches in Pitlochry Baptist Church. 12 Until 14th, Alan Donaldson attends the BUGB Council. The Board of Ministry meets over today and tomorrow. The Scottish Baptist Womens Fellowship leaders meet. 15 Scottish Baptist College Committee. 16 This is the Step Out Reunion Weekend. 18 John Greenshields preaches in Easterhouse Baptist Church, Glasgow. Forfar Community Church opens (see below). 20 John Greenshields attends the National Settlement Team in Didcot. Our Union Trustees meet today. 22 The National Team meets. The Mission Forum meets today and tomorrow. 23 Judy White spends the weekend with our Shetland churches. 25 Alan Donaldson preaches in Portobello 27 The National Strategy Group meets.. 28 John Greenshields speaks at Auchlochan Retirement Village. 29 Alan Donaldson attends a meeting of Church leaders. The Joint Assembly Planning Group meets.

Getting Messy at Lochgilphead Baptist

Q: What do you get if you mix washing-up liquid, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, ketchup and brown sauce with a few drops of red food colouring? A: Excited shrieks from a group of small boys ignoring our risk assessments and trying to stand on chairs to get a better view! It's not just the paint and the glue and the glitter and the icing sugar that gives Messy Church its name - Messy Church is about the "messy" edges of our church communities - families for whom a Sunday church service is not always practical or relevant. For us in Lochgilphead, Messy Church started at Easter 2011 when we had been searching for a way to develop our engagement with the families who regularly attended our weekly parent and toddler group and sent their primary-age children to our annual Holiday Clubs. Messy Church is a "fresh expression" of church where folk of ALL ages are welcomed, share in a variety of craft activities all relating to a central theme, come together in a simple act of worship (usually a song, story and

prayer) and share a meal together. Each craft table is led by a volunteer from our "regular" congregation and the table leader encourages conversation relating to the theme along with expressing genuine interest in the lives of the families attending and simply getting to know people better and demonstrating the love of Jesus. Our experience of Messy Church has been a blessing to both those who attend and those who help. We have had fun, we have learned the hard way which activities are just TOO messy and we have shared the excitement of Bible stories with those who have never heard them before. On occasions, our Messy Church has a congregation as large as the Sunday congregation and the families who come really do view it as church. We sometimes struggle to accommodate the seven or eight different craft tables, the act of worship and the meal without getting glue on the guitar and sequins in the spaghetti, but we are looking forward with anticipation to our church extension which we hope will give us even more space to be even messier!
Alison Hay

The Forfar Files...

Please remember in your prayers the formal opening of the churchs building, and the start of the Community Week, on Saturday 10th November. Open days over the next week will culminate in a Service of Dedication, at which Rev Alan Donaldson will preach and to which all are invited. For fuller information see www.forfarcommunitychurch.org.uk

If youd like more general information about Messy Church see www.messychurch.org.uk
Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960

Connect

November 2012

Prayer Link for November

Sunday 4th
Adam Plenderleith: Chaplain, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. My prayer request is simply that my walk with Christ would be so real that it would be evident in all of my interactions. Chaplaincy in a hospital setting is often viewed as having become so affected by syncretism with secular society that it has lost its first love. On the contrary my calling to Hospital Chaplaincy is totally dependent on my having Christ in me. My preaching is in my listening to, caring for and journeying with individuals in an alien land. Please pray that I have my gift of listening so enhanced that I hear what is being said, unhindered by my biases and preconceived ideas of right and wrong. For the wider ministry of Hospital Chaplaincy please pray that it is recognised as an equal partner in health care at a time when all NHS employees need to be able to demonstrate their cost effectiveness. Jim Simpson: Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen. Please pray for all chaplains working for the NHS in Scotland. We are employed at an exciting time of change when local issues interface with a National agenda. The health board is dealing with financial constraints and this puts pressure on the whole system and especially the management of people resources. For the past two years chaplains across the country have experienced the joys and challenges of value based reflective practice which causes us to look at issues such as capacity and identity. Please pray for all the staff and patients in mental health. We still have a long way to go in tackling such things as stigma. When a person is feeling unwell the last thing they need is added pressure through a judgemental attitude. Please pray for me as I seek to engage with patients, carers and staff over spiritual and religious care. The challenge is to be alongside individuals and the institution enabling them to respond in a creative way to difficult times.

wide church family. Musselburgh: Please pray for the church and its pastors Revs Andy Dalrymple and Graeme Shearer.

Sunday 18th
Nairn: Rev Tim Power. The language of `The Wind of The Spirit is Blowing' abounds in Nairn at the moment. For an age some mission fields have been `off limits' to anyone, other than a very few clerics. The stifling effect of moribund ministries have held the evangelists at bay for a long time and prevented access to places such as primary schools. Recently, however, collegial chaplaincy access has been granted to all three Nairnshire Primary Schools with NBCs pastor delivering first time ever assemblies to over 800 pupils across three schools in October alone. Please pray that these new connections with the young people of our town will bear fruit, similarly for the mission to young people via the PWAMM Challenger bus which visits our area for two weeks at the beginning of November. The local high school is welcoming more meaningful relationships with local ministers and welcoming our pastor, in his role as senior school chaplain, to bring lectures on Christian ethics - such as the sanctity of life - to Highers students. The beginning of October saw the ladies of Nairn Baptist Churchs Knitting and Craft group have a week long knitting session in the local library. Many women from the community talked to them and a good number joined in. The local press even turned up to take pictures and produce an article. The group meet in a local caf, one week knitting, the next a gentle Bible study and discussion group. Interest in joining the group has been phenomenal. Please pray for this seed sowing, or (is it sewing?) ministry. There is much more, and we dont escape the trials that come with such work - but no more space here. Please pray for us that we do indeed catch the wind of the Spirit and let God take us in the direction he would have our church go. New Prestwick: Rev Kenneth Ross. New Prestwick Baptist Church sits halfway between Ayr and Prestwick and for almost 125 years has had a Gospel witness within the immediate community known as Heathfield. As a worshipping congregation, our members and adherents gather from the local area, and further afield throughout Ayrshire; as a witnessing people, we reach out to the homes and families in the community round about us. Our outreach to local families begins with a busy Mums and Toddlers group, a Bible club called Kidzone@192 for primary school age kids (the largest primary school in South Ayrshire is just round the corner), and a Youth Fellowship with a good mix of kids from church families, and others with no family church connection. In

September, we had an excellent childrens mission, with Graeme Hewitson of Eikon Bible Arts coming back to work with us once again. Men and women are catered for too, with a variety of meetings and Bible studies for ladies, to some of which a number of unsaved come along, and also a mens group. Recent years have seen a broad cross-section of the congregation become involved in ministries such as Wheels in Motion (a soup bus ministry) and Broken Chains, a gathering for singing, testimony, gospel message and food. These missional opportunities reach out to adults with chaotic lifestyles, including quite a few who are trapped in various forms of addiction. Many of these people now count us as their friends, and a good number regularly attend our evening service. In Gods grace, we have seen folks believe and be baptised - and it was a particular joy for our Pastor, Kenneth Ross, to recently baptise his daughter Sarah. We have also recently commenced a monthly afternoon service in a large new local nursing home, with many of the residents gathering for a time of singing and a message from Gods word. Please give thanks with us in the opportunities we have to reach families through their children, and also many adults at their point of need. Give thanks too for all the busy folks who give freely of their time to serve within these various activities and ministries. Regardless of the work, we need the Lords strength. Pray with us for a real breakthrough in reaching the 750 homes in the square mile that has New Prestwick Baptist at its centre.

Sunday 25th
Newburgh. Please pray for this small church in Fife which is currently without a pastor. Newton Mearns, Glasgow: Rev Brian More. We continue to be very grateful for numerous opportunities to engage with the community. In particular we are partnering with local schools in a number of initiatives across the Autumn to raise funds for Glasgow City Mission and to do so in ways that also encourage local children to have a better awareness of the needs of others less fortunate than themselves. In discussions across the membership we are currently exploring afresh God's vision for the role of a local church and the implications for our own life and ministry together. Please pray for a clear awareness of God's leading and direction as these discussions unfold. The church is also actively seeking to appoint a second pastor whose responsibilities would include a specific focus on ministries involving children and families. Please prayerfully support our Search Group as they seek to discern God's guidance in what we have sensed for some time is a key appointment for our ongoing work and witness.

Sunday 11th
Mull. Mull Baptist has only 6 members and no minister. We would be glad of prayers for church growth and God`s guidance on how to reach out to our community. We need preachers to come, and thank God for the church caravan which enables preachers to have a cheap holiday and lead worship, then relax and be refreshed. We are blessed with many holiday visitors, some of whom come every year. Our Church lunch following the service is also a blessing, being a great time of fellowship and link with the world-

Published by the Baptist Union of Scotland, 48 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, admin@scottishbaptist.org.uk. Charity Registration No:SC004960