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July/August 2012
Extended Flash Mob At Stirling University!
in Sport with whom we are continuing to develop links. There were lots of Christians in Sport volunteers involved in the various events, with Ian Lancaster as the speaker during the awards ceremony. As a sports person, having referreed football games during the day, his message stressed that it wasnt sporting ability that was paramount in his life but Jesus. He spoke eloquently and engagingly about where we have our treasure and that our treasure should be Jesus because nothing else compares. Jonny and Rachel, both from Stirling Baptist, are two of the three young Scottish Baptists joining BMS Action Teams after summer. It was encouraging and challenging to hear them speak at Sports Day about where they are going, what they will be doing, and what we, as churches and young people, can pray for them. Id encourage you to check out the following article and, along with their churches and those who were at Sports Day, be praying for these young people this year. Kirkintilloch Baptist Church was the overall winner at Sports Day 2012, with Bearsden Baptist Church as runner up. Instead of receiving Evaluation forms will be sent to churches soon, certificates at the awards ceremony, we invited and we appreciate any feedback you have for us as winners to stand to be cheered and applauded, but we begin planning for Sports Day 2013. sent the certificates out the following week. It has Its a huge event, with the fact so many people been really encouraging and exciting to hear the come year on year a testament to the idea that different ways in which young peoples being intentionally relational matters to us. Thank achievements at Sports Day are being celebrated you to all who came along, whether to compete or in our churches. to cheer people on. A massive thank you to all the So now Sports Day 2012 is over and planning volunteers for giving up their time to serve, and to for Sports Day 2013 begins. Watch this space the Sports Day task group for organising and (and our Facebook page) for more info in the running the various events so well. coming months.and I look forward to seeing some We also want to say thank you to Christians of you there! Mo Gibbs
I really like seeing videos of flash mobs, though have yet to see one in the flesh. A flash mob is when a group of people suddenly turns up somewhere, does some sort of activity, like a song or dance, and then disappears into the crowd. A favourite one of mine is where a group in a shopping centre food court start singing Handels Messiah and as the song grows so do the numbers taking part onlookers are left in wonder and surprise. Then, when its all over, they just disperse or go back to eating lunch. Why am I telling you all this? Reflecting back on Sports Day, it feels a bit like an extended flash mob moment. Turning up at 8am to begin the set up it feels like its going to be a long day ... but it feels like I blink and then a mere 10 and a bit hours have passed and, as the final things are packed into cars, its like weve never been there at all. In what feels like a time-extended flash mob scene, hundreds of Baptists descend on Stirling University, have a great day playing sports, and then disappear back to their own parts of Scotland without a trace left behind. This was my first time organising Sports Day from start to finish, so Ive only begun to fully appreciate all the work that goes into it this year. Overall, Sports Day was another huge success with 28 different churches taking part in total. There were around 700 people, with more than 50 volunteers making sure the day and the events ran smoothly. We changed the format of registration from paper based to an on-line registration form which seemed to work well, though we are already thinking of ways to improve it for next year.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and at www.scottishbaptist.org.uk!
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Rachel, Jonny & Sarahs Great Adventure on ...
Rachels Gap Year
I am unbelievably excited that I am going to Delhi for six months with a team of three other amazing girls! While we are there, we will live in an apartment and be supervised by an Indian couple who pastor Grace Bible Church, and are involved in a project called Anusaran, , which means to follow the example of Christ. We will be helping in a non-formal school, where we will teach and play with children who wish to gain more education than they have already. We will also have opportunities to help in womens empowerment projects, leading worship and working with the youth in the church. I feel as though this is something which I have been called to do, and believe I will learn a lot from serving God overseas and about a fascinating culture. I feel very blessed to be embarking on such a great adventure and am excited about what the next year has in store for me!
Hostel and Freeset a project which takes girls out of the sex trade, giving them jobs making bags and t-shirts. There will be opportunities to get involved in other ministries and projects. I cant wait to go to serve God in a completely different culture and circumstances and make a difference in peoples lives. I am looking forward to growing in faith while overseas and relying on God more and more. I know that my eyes will be opened to extreme poverty and I am sure that my experiences in India will change my life.
Sarahs Gap Year
I'm going to Reggio Calabria in southern Italy in a team with Huw Hides, Janet Chu and Zoe Anderson. I haven't met them in person but we've been getting to know each other on facebook and skype. I decided to do BMS action teams because, about 4 years ago, a team who went to Southern Africa came to our church and told us about their experiences and I started to feel it was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to do, prayed about it and felt that God was calling me to do it. I'm so excited to spend my gap year serving God and having the experience of a lifetime:)
Rachel Sword and Jonny Fenn Tye, of Stirling Baptist, and Sarah Paterson of Wick Baptist are thrilled to be taking a gap year with BMS World Mission. Here they share their excitement at taking a year out for God...
In September, we will train at IMC in Birmingham for a month, which will involve language and culture teaching, worship, team building and church placements, to prepare us for our time away from home. At the start of October, we will fly overseas to live and work within our teams for six months. During this time, we will be under the supervision of BMS partners, and will be involved in various projects specific to our location, as well as experiencing the local culture. On return to the UK, we will tour churches, schools and youth groups, sharing our experiences and encouraging them to become involved in mission work.
Jonnys Gap Year
I applied to BMS late and, to begin with, there was only a small possibility of a place for me in a mission team. After much prayer, an opportunity arose. I was interviewed and invited to join the India Kolkata team which consists of me, another guy, and three girls. When I was finally offered a place I knew that it was in Gods plan for me. I believe I have been called to serve in this way and know I could never have got this far without Gods help. I am greatly excited about all the things the team will get involved in while in India. We will live in the BMS guesthouse in central Kolkata and will be working predominantly with the Good News Childrens Education Mission (GNCEM) which runs several mobile schools for street and slum dwelling children in and around Kolkata. We will teach English, lead assemblies, and play games with the kids in schools as well as working at Entally Girls today, workplace chaplaincy has developed as a real opportunity for the church to care for the community. Stirling Baptist Church, working through its community project known as The Rock, established a chaplaincy for the City Centre in 2006, financed through a combination of individuals, Stirling Baptist Church itself and the Baptist Union. The aim? To provide an accessible and visible Christian presence in the workplaces in Stirling City Centre, available to provide practical, pastoral and spiritual care. But, what does it take to be a workplace chaplain and what does he/she actually do? Both the first and the current incumbents have had a professional background in industry rather than the church. Both have had very different strengths, which have been augmented by further training in essential skills. Mary Anne Burgoyne, the current Stirling Chaplains background is in Occupational Health, which has been extremely beneficial because the workplace chaplain is often the one to whom people come with concerns that they cant tell their manager, their wife or partner, their doctor or their friends. Most people will be able to imagine the kind of
Things to pray for ... We would really appreciate prayer support over the next year:
for our fundraising efforts, that these events would also spread the word of our trip as well as raising funds to cover the costs. that, as we get ready to leave, we would be able to focus on Gods plan for us overseas and that He would prepare our hearts to leave home. in India and Italy, for safety, good health and team bonding, to be a blessing to those we meet there and when we are touring at home. concerns - about work, family, or physical and emotional health, across the full spectrum of severity. Its no place for the faint-hearted. Its no place for the gung-ho or impatient either. Great sensitivity is required to know when is a good opportunity for conversation while not being perceived as keeping staff back from work. Building relationships and gaining trust are the foundations for a confidential listening and support service and these take time. Mary Anne provides the chaplaincy service for staff in Stirlings retail mall - The Thistles. There she has to be able to have a good rapport with Centre Management right through the individual stores to the shop floor, including cleaners and security staff. In addition to that, she meets members of the wider business community at the monthly REFRESH Seminars and also students of all nationalities attending Stirling School of English, both of which run in The Rock. Workplace Chaplaincy is different from church and it cant be evangelistic, but it is definitely Kingdom work. Donald Black
Workplace Chaplaincy
- not for the faint-hearted
Mary Anne Burgoyne (on the left) with a local retailer For a variety of reasons, ranging from the trauma of major incidents to the work and family stress affecting most working people
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Prayer Link July/August
July - Sunday 1
Leslie Edge, Chaplain, Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Glasgow. The Hospice aims to help patients achieve the best quality of life possible in whatever time remains for them, and at the same time offer support for their families. I would greatly appreciate prayer in the following areas: as I seek to ensure that the spiritual and religious needs of the patients and their families are addressed together with those of the 140 staff and 700 volunteers. as the PPWH is a teaching hospice, I am part of the teaching team, teaching medical students, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and health care assistants, subjects such as Spirituality, Spiritual Care, Coping With Bereavement, etc. as I am involved in Chaplaincy, both within Scotland and throughout the UK, as a member of AHPCC (Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains). as I coordinate the work of the Chaplaincy team within the hospice. as I am involved in the plans to build a new multi-million pound Hospice. This will involve relocating to a new purpose built building on the south side of Glasgow, which we anticipate will open in 2016. Cliff Jackson - Chaplain, MHA Auchlochan. With Auchlochans new village centre almost complete, there is an air of excitement in the community. Please pray for all who will use the new facilities and the staff who work in them. I should also be grateful for prayer for a group of residents going through the Christianity Explored course and keen to continue meeting at the conclusion of the course. Thirdly, please remember one of our Baptist ministers, David Vogan, as he settles into his new role as chaplain to Auchlochans Nethanvale residents and a member of the Auchlochan Garden Village chaplaincy team.
needy town. However, we are managing to sustain a monthly service in a residential home for the elderly and our Monday evening Women's Fellowship is doing well. In addition to this, our premises are being used by a Chinese Christian group and local Brownie pack. Please pray that the Lord will bless and guide us, so that His will shall be done to His glory.
town centre so please pray for a quick sale, that there is someone out there who thinks it's too good a bargain to pass by. We have much to praise God for in all the way He has led us so far and for the unity in the church as we attempt to raise funds and work together for the future of the church.
Sunday 22 Sunday 15
Islay: Mr Jim McNulty. The church is small but has a committed and enthusiastic congregation. I ask that you pray for an increase in the numbers attending. We usually say that numbers are not important but for small churches like Islay there is a critical mass below which many activities are not possible. Pray that a number of Christians on the island who do not attend any church will be convicted to join with Gods people in worship and witness. The strap line for the church is, Focused on Christ, Centred in the Community. One of the ways we reach out to the community is to participate in the many festivals and events on the island. We take our bookstall to the events and give out literature as well as providing a focal point for discussion and support. In June we participated in the Islay International Beach Rugby event and, in July and August, there are numerous village sports days. Pray that these initiatives will bear fruit as more and more contacts are made. We have had the privilege of working with the Church of Scotland in many of our activities. We have set up the Islay Christian Fellowship which meets weekly for worship, prayer and Bible Study. The ministers of both churches jointly conduct weekly assemblies in two schools and also run an after school Fun Club. Pray for this ongoing collaboration, that it will strengthen and continue to be a witness to Christ on the Island. We enjoy having visitors to the island. In June, John Blanchard came for a weekend. He is no stranger to Islay and we had an encouraging time under his ministry. We look forward to a visit from Peter Lewis in July and Paul Jones in October. Pray that these visitors will have a good ministry on the island. Our minister, Jim McNulty, has been with us for almost 18 months. Pray that he will be inspired, strengthened and encouraged in his ministry. Keiss: Rev Bill Ferguson. Please pray for the youth clubs which take place on a Friday evening in Keiss and for occasional input into the primary school there. Kenny Cormack and Geoff Oswald run the youth club and we can pray particularly for them as they seek to bring the knowledge of Christ to the young people with whom they work. Kelso. The church would request prayer for clear guidance regarding the work and witness in the town and area in the future, remembering the office bearers and those who give pulpit supply each Sunday. As a congregation of older members, our greatest need is for younger families to come and live in the town and worship with us and help in the work.
Sunday 29
Kilmarnock. We thank God for the way he has supported us over the past year and would ask that people continue to remember Kilmarnock in their prayers during this time of vacancy, and that the Vacancy Committee and membership will receive clear guidance and discernment in the search for a new minister.
Sunday 8
Inverness: Rev Tom Urquhart. Inverness Baptist Church would value your prayers for our Pastor Rev Tom Urquhart and his wife Debbie as he retires from the pastorate on 4th November, 2012. We thank God for Tom's commitment and faithful service over many years. We would also very much appreciate your prayers as we seek God's will for the future as we enter a time of vacancy. We would also value your prayers for the Vacancy Committee, chaired by Rev Bill Slack of Culduthel Christian Centre. Irvine. As a small, elderly and vacant church, with many of our members in poor health, we are finding it very difficult to maintain a witness in a
King's Park: Rev John Hodgkins. God is continuing to bless us in a variety of ways as a church. Outreach programmes are busy and successful in our youth work, art club and housing scheme ministries for which we give him thanks. Lives are being changed, both young and old, and the church is able to provide support in areas of real need locally. At the same time we are also moving into a new time as our pastor has very recently advised us that he will be moving on shortly. We thank God for his ministry over the last 12 years and seek His blessing on John, Maggie and their family as they move on to new things for Him. For the fellowship this brings the issues of vacancy to the fore and the church would be Johnstone: Rev Terry Gallagher. At grateful for the prayers of fellow Baptists as we Johnstone we are in the process of buying a also seek to find God's will for the future. building in Johnstone Castle, this is in the heart Illness amongst a large percentage of our folks of the scheme and used to be the council Housing Office. It's a fairly new building,16 years old, and has been a matter of concern for some months ideal for our purposes. We have gone as far as we and we would value others joining with us to pray for relief and healing in these circumstances can re the purchase of the building and are waiting for it to be passed by the Scottish Ministers before we can proceed further. We August - Sunday 5th would value prayer that all goes smoothly and speedily. We have started proceedings to have the Rev John Jamieson: Military Chaplain. present building put up for auction and will go Please pray for John, his wife Jeannie and his ahead as soon as things have been confirmed in family as he continues his work in the Army. regards to the purchase of the new building. The church is in a bad state of repair and access Rev Muriel Knox. Muriel retired from her is a problem but it is a large area and near the chaplaincy work with NHS Grampian earlier this
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July/August 2012
for that provision and hope the work will be completed by the time of the holiday club. We have the wonderful problem of having run out of Sunday 12th space and will potentially have run out of seats to accommodate everyone in the sanctuary soon, Kirkintilloch: Revs David Gordon and and so our thoughts about the building will Andrew Giffen. We are really encouraged at require to continue. We are continuing to develop Gods provision through the sacrificial our Sunday morning kids work (which is commitment of his people which is allowing us continually growing), our worship team and we to progress a number of new initiatives over the plan to run Discipleship Explored and Under coming months. Pray for the CAP (Christians Christs Rule courses after the summer. We also Against Poverty) debt counselling centre which hope to start a compassionate outreach to the has just been opened and, especially, for Gill poor and those in need of help in the Paton, who has been appointed as the centre Knightswood area. manager, that she will build positive relationships With all the potential and various plans with local referral agencies, and that clients will forming, please pray for wisdom and guidance, sense the compassion of God. Pray too for the for our love and unity to continue to deepen, for church leadership as it explores the appointment the continuing good work and leadership of the of a Childrens and Family Worker in the deacons and for our Community Worker Ruth coming months. Pray for a whole series of Kelso, and above all things, that God would be evangelistic activities that will coincide with the glorified in all that we do. local canal festival, which is the biggest event in our local area, at the end of August. Ladywell, Livingston. We give thanks to God for His continued blessings on the fellowship Kirkwall: Rev Don Currie. We praise God for during our time of vacancy. We have seen Gods continued blessing at Kirkwall Baptist, with four hand at work in many areas of church life over baptisms this year, new contacts and members the past few months: nine candidates baptised in added to the church. We have been especially the last 12 months, six of these from within the blessed and challenged by Don's recent series YF. The churchs Community Cafe is continuing taking us through the Gospel of John, and we are to attract many non-church people from the area also grateful for his involvement in the and gets more popular every week. A ladies community: as Chair of the Board of the Orkney meeting, LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together), Youth Caf; member of the high school Chaplaincy has been very successful and the walking group is Team; and having been recently elected as Chair of a great witness to a huge number of people. the local Alcohol & Drugs Partnership. Please Other areas of church life doing well are the pray for him, and for us all, as we seek to be salt Mums and Toddlers, the YF, the Sunday School and light in the community. and Ignite. Please pray that God will continue to Please pray for all who came together at our CE lead us as we seek a new Pastor. camp in Westray at the start of July, and that there would be a good attendance at our Children's Sunday 26th Holiday Club in August. Our missionaries-in-training, Les & Fiona Larbert. Rev Ken Bleakley. We give God Cowan, are currently at Language School in thanks for many blessings over the past year Madrid with WEC International. Please pray for with a busy programme of organisations. We had them: for their studies and exams; for good a Christianity Explored course with 6 people who contacts with local neighbours; for plans for came regularly. Please pray for these friends as missions; for opportunities to teach English; for God works in their lives. We have had an guidance for long-term plans; and for their two increase in membership and new families coming sons back in the UK. Pray too for another two of to join the church. We plan to run another our members, Mike & Rosey Whittles and the Christianity Explored course in the autumn. Meider Jonno Asha charity, providing education Please pray with us that, as we begin to make for needy girls in Dhaka, Bangladesh. preparations, God will be preparing people to Pray for the congregation and church leadership come to this course. We have a very successful as we develop plans to extend and renovate our childrens Awana club with a good number of church premises, and for God's provision at a time children who dont attend church coming along. of economic downturn. Pray too, that we have a real sense of vision, under God, as we seek His Largo: Rev David Paton. At Largo Baptist in leading and guidance for the future. Fife we are giving God grateful thanks for his goodness towards us. As with a number of smaller churches, finance continues to be quite difficult but we praise God for the faithful and Knightswood, Glasgow. Rev Gus MacAulay. sacrificial giving of our congregation. From the We are grateful for the blessings we have seen at beginning of January to the end of March we Knightswood Baptist Church, and pray that the held an Alpha Course in the Church on Sunday Lord would continue to bless us and use us for His glory. We have a busy summer planned with evenings and we were very encouraged by the support given to us by the local parish churches a BMS Action Team who have been in Peru, a with whom we have also had joint services over Step-Out Team to help with our holiday club, a Easter and Pentecost. Please pray with us that stall at the Knightswood Fun Day and a Kids all who attended the Alpha Course and these Olympics party. Please pray for effective services will come to know and be in outreach, the forming of new relationships and an relationship with Jesus as Lord. We would also increase in numbers for our kids and youth outreaches for the new term after the summer. We appreciate prayers for the children and young people who attend our small Sunday Gang, that have secured local authority funding for the they would know Gods blessing and leading in refurbishment of one of our halls and the formation of an accessible toilet. We are thankful their lives. Thank you for your prayers.
year. Pray for her as she adjusts to this change and for her successor in the role of Chaplain.
Engagement Diary for July/August
July
4 Jacqueline Primrose repesents our Union at a service, in Glasgow Cathedral, at which the Queen will be present to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. Judy White is at an Urban Expression meeting this evening. 9 John Greenshields attends 2 days of National Settlement Team meetings. 19 Our National Team meets. 26 Our National Team has a day of prayer. 28 Clan Gathering, at which the Baptist Union of Scotland, Scottish Baptist College and the BMS will be exhibiting, begins today in St Andrews.
August
2 Our National Team meets. 11 Tom Vernon is inducted to Larkhall Baptist Church as Associate Pastor. 14 Our Unions Trustees meet. 16 Our National Team meets 18 The Public Issues and Social Action group meets this morning. 19 Jim Purves preaches in Drumchapel Baptist Church, Glasgow. 20 The leaders of the Scottish Baptist Womens Fellowship meet today. 22 Paul Goodliff, head of the Ministry Dept at the Baptist Unionn of Great Britain, pays a 2 day visit to the Baptist Union of Scotland office. 23 The National Team has a Strategy Day. 24 The Scottish Baptist Womens Fellowship Conference, at which Alan Donaldson will speak, takes place in St Andrews this weekend.. 29 Alan Donaldson attends the Glasgow Church Leaders meeting this afternoon. 30 The DNA Group and the National Team meet today.
... and dont forget to pray...
... for the host churches and Step Out teams operating this summer - as well as for Mo Gibbs, who coordinates the programme. 1-8 July - Fort William, Inverkeithing and Leven 8-15 July - Alva and Dunfermline West 15-22 July - Leslie and Brechin 22-29 July - Montrose and Galashiels 29 July-5 August - Peterhead and Knightswood 5-12 August - Ellon, Dundee Central and Cornton.
Sunday 19th
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July/August 2012
Baptist Union of Scotland to offer gap year opportunities with DNA
The Baptist Union of Scotland (BUS) and Christian leadership training programme DNA have announced a partnership to offer young adults in Scottish Baptist churches an opportunity to develop their skills and character during a gap year. From October 2012 adults, aged 18+, in Scottish Baptist churches will have the opportunity to go on a year-long DNA programme. It can be in their own church or another which is found for them. The course will enable those taking part to develop their theological understanding and functional skills; whilst the primary thrust is character formation through church based discipleship.
Over 1000 people have developed their skills and character through DNA's church based leadership and discipleship programme over the last 24 years. DNA draws from people from the age of 18 upwards. People in their 60s have taken part in the year programme but at this time the majority are aged 18-25. In addition to the year programme, DNA50+ is a sixmonth model of DNA for those in the Baby Boomer generation who have an appreciation that the best is yet to come! Having always served churches across the denominations DNA Team Leader, Pete Gilbert, says they
are delighted to partner with the Baptist Union of Scotland. "I am thrilled that we will be able to serve Scottish Baptist churches so much more strategically and meaningfully for the development of leaders. It is hoped that new leaders will emerge from those being on DNA." "We are very excited and enthusiastic about our partnering with DNA to develop leaders for our churches and in our local communities across the nation," said Alan Donaldson, General Director of the BUS. "I am thrilled by the flexibility of the training offered, and the partnership speaks so strongly of the Kingdom of God."
Did You Know...?
We have an online Fellowship of Prayer page for churches wishing prayer outwith their slot on our Unions Prayer Link calendar: www.scottishbaptist.org.uk/content/fellowship-prayer If you'd like to submit an item for prayer, please send it to
[email protected]The Forfar Files...
So... 4 Months in, Where Are We?
Since February the small group led by Rev Oliver Vellacott has been meeting on a Sunday at the Wellbrae buildings with visitors from other fellowships coming to encourage and several others continuing to come week by week. There has been flexibility in the nature of what we do on a Sunday as we seek the way forward but worship and studying Gods word have been an integral part of the time. We also gather on a Tuesday for prayer and, once a week, Jane and Julie meet to prayer walk around Forfar. Try Praying booklets have been obtained as a means to engage the community with the gift of prayer and the God of that gift, some of which have been distributed to those working on the building site. The building work is going well and is due for completion towards the end of September. Tidying-up of the site, with help from other Baptist Churches, is progressing. Buckie Baptist and Central Baptist Dundee have indicated possible help with final landscaping around the renewed buildings. The core group have been meeting together regularly and have decided on a simple website, which is in the final stages of completion, and to focus on one main outreach activity which we will do together; Mainly Music - a fun music time group for parents and children. We have begun to seek ways to engage the community with the renewed buildings, drawing on their community past as a school and linking that into their new future. It is hoped this can lead to a creative opening week where old memories and photographs etc., can be shared and linked into the new future that is offered by the buildings and the God who is the inspiration for what is happening. Many positive things are happening with the potential for much more in the future. These are early days yet a community of Gods people is slowly forming from which mission is taking place. Stephen Oyarzabal
Clan Gathering 2012
and here comes the Baptist Family!
Over recent years, Scottish Baptists have been involved in organising and attending the summer festival Clan Gathering in increasing numbers. This year the Baptist family in Scotland will have a stand in the marketplace exhibition. The Baptist Union of Scotland, BMS World Mission and the Scottish Baptist College will share exhibition space and seek to engage with members of our Baptist family who are attending Clan, as well as sharing our stories with those from other church traditions. Baptist speakers at the festival, from 28th July to 3rd August in St Andrews, include
Karl Martin of Morningside Baptist, Keith Short of Barnton Baptist, Lynn Alexander of Queens Park Baptist and John Mason of Easterhouse Baptist. General Director Alan Donaldson has been invited to speak about the work of our Baptist family as part of the main programme on Monday morning, and will lead prayers for our nation. Clan Gathering wishes to extend a very warm welcome to Baptists who have never been to Clan before and are unable to attend for the whole week. To join them on Monday 30th July, day tickets can be purchased online at the following website -
www.clangathering.org.uk/day_tickets.php
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On Mission
with Central Baptist Church, Dundee.
Now available
the new BMS resource, thirsty is an excellent resource for your churchs harvest appeal. A billion people worldwide will be using dirty water to drink, cook and wash with. They have no other choice.
thirsty
there can be no harvest
without water
Watch Jeff Lucas reaction at www.bmsworldmission.org/harvest and then order your free DVD on 01235 517617
It is always a joy to see people committing to go overseas on mission even if just for a week. There are amazing opportunities available, and a number of the CBC family are involved this year. Lucy Cowpland returned from Thailand in June, and Anne Halley goes to Nairobi and Gavin Callaghan to Kenya and Uganda in August and September respectively. Five others are going on trips over the summer. Please pray for them: Doherty ty, Sarah Doherty a biology student on exchange from Durham University, is in Thailand with OMF, teaching English in a Buddhist school near Chiang Mai for a month, then is planning to travel to meet other missionaries.
Ruth Erwin, a law (with French) student, is in Paris with UCCF, to help out with a GBU (French equivalent of UCCF) outreach week and do some evangelism in partnership with a local church. Iona Maltman, a Support for Learning teacher, is going to Romania in July with Vision Romania. She will be working at a week-long childrens camp doing everything from spending time with the children to crafts to cleaning toilets! Lisa Moore, a medical student, is going to Haiti in July with Mission International. The team are running a childrens club, visiting and encouraging members of the local church, and possibly doing some building/practical work. Stevenson, Rebecca Stevenson a law student, is going to Egypt in July with Open Doors, with a large multinational team working mainly with children in different parts of the country
John Toller.
Central Baptist is one of many of our churches from which members serve overseas on mission. If your church is one of them please do share this with the Scottish Baptist family on Facebook or, via [email protected], on our websites Fellowship of Prayer page. Currently, the countrys population stands at around 3.3 million, 79% of which is Roman Catholic, with 15% not having or specifying a religion. It has that unhappy distinction of having the highest suicide rate in the world and a divorce rate of 70%. Klaipeda is Lithuanias largest sea port, population around 178,000.
Ten go to Lithuania!
Evans, Stephen Worgan, John Buick and Bernd Schneider set off to lend their muscles to the cause! In addition to covering their travel and accommodation expenses (they slept in the hotel) the team raised 7,500 for materials to use on the project The trip was certainly no holiday, with the patient local Foreman, Valdemaras Bajoras, keeping everything on schedule. Days started with worship at 8am then work carried on until 5pm, with only the evenings free for social time. The team, however, was very well fed by cook Elvyra! Many new friends were made, among them host Pastor Saulius, worship leader Rasa and Vidmantas, their evening host. By the time the team headed home, theyd left several rooms ready for new windows and plastering, work which is expected to be finished by the end of the summer. In 1990, Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare its independence. Russian troops withdrew in 1993 then, in 2004, Lithuania joined the EU.
Adapted from a video clip of the trip onwww.youtube.com/watch?v=3w7tlYOm7HE&feature=plcp
On Sunday, 3rd June, 2012, ten Christian men travelled from Scotland to spend a week in Lithuania to offer practical support to the City Church, Klaipeda. For three years, City Church has been slowly converting an old Soviet hotel into a worship, community and conference centre (it certainly needed conversion with lots of hard work!) A group of men from Stirling Baptist Church committed themselves to helping out and enlisted Gabriele Bytautaite, the churchs Administrator, to assist in coordinating the trip. With organiser Al Cuthbert and Mark Ferrie as team leaders, Steve Willett, Stephen McDonald, Mark Dempsey, Paul Conner, Roddy
And Closer to Home...
Here are some of the young people taking part in Step Out at the end of a busy weekend of training in Inverkeithing Baptist Church. A big thank you to the church for hosting us over the weekend. See the prayer diary for where teams are partnering with and when ... we would really appreciate your prayers over the summer! Mo Gibbs
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