Council Digest – September 2021
Council Digest - September 2021 Council met in early September. Our meeting was once again over zoom but nevertheless, we had a time of warm fellowship as we gathered at what turned out to be a significant moment for our Union. In many ways this meeting proved to be a...
Only Four Weeks to Canopy!
Only Four Weeks to Canopy! It's now only four weeks to Canopy and we are working on finalising everything ready for launch on Friday 1 October! We have a number of contributors and I thought I would highlight a few of them to you just now: Ruth Valerio will be...
Homelessness in Scotland
Homelessness in Scotland The 10th of October is World Homelessness Day and we thought we would invite Charles Maasz, CEO of Glasgow City Mission and Baptist Chaplain, to reflect on homelessness, it's causes and what individuals and churches can do to help people in...
What is Prison Chaplaincy?
What is Prison Chaplaincy? As we continue our series looking at different forms of Chaplaincy, Graham Bell, Chaplain at HMP Glen Ochil and minister of St. Ninians Community Church in Stirling provides some insight into the role of the prison chaplain. Scotland...
All Change at BUS – Saying Farewell
All Change at BUS – Saying Farewell By Jenny Wilson, Connect Editor It’s all change at BUS just now. At the end of August, we said farewell to three of our colleagues who have served with us for a number of years. Jim Purves, Peter Dick and Lynn Scott have all stepped...
Fruitful in a New Season
Fruitful in a New Season By Martin Hodson, BUS General Director Last year we were wondering what the ‘new normal’ would be. It’s more common now to hear people talking about the ‘new different’. The experience of ‘normal’ still feels a long way off, but some...
Canopy 2021 – Registration Now Open!
Canopy 2021 - Registration Now Open! To register for your FREE tickets for Canopy 2021 click the link below to take you to the Canopy page on our website where you will find more information and how to register....
Canopy 2021 – Joining Together Locally!
I recently heard of the local hub gatherings for the Magnitude festival just a couple of weeks ago and how the young people met to worship and pray together, watch the teaching videos and discuss what they had been participating in. What a great idea – a national gathering but with localised hubs of people coming together!
Empowering Change Fund Grants
Baptist Buildings CIO usually provide loans for churches to renovate and upgrade their buildings or purchase new buildings. However, they do also award grants for certain church projects too including improving disabled access and upgrade work to tired church kitchens. We thought we would pass on this information to our churches – could your church benefit from one of these grants? Please contact Baptist Buildings directly for further information.
A Year Like No Other!
By now some of you may be familiar with Neil Pexton and his work with BUS over the last year as he helped Ali Laing with the Training Hub and communications. Neil has also been the team member ensuring that Prayer Live is streamed on our Youtube channel over the past year. Neil has been a fantastic part of the BUS staff team this past year and we wish him well for the future as he leaves us. We invited Neil to reflect on what has been a year like no other!
Onwards and Upwards: Scottish Baptist College Online and On-Campus
Onwards and Upwards: Scottish Baptist College Online and On-Campus By Graham Meiklejohn, Lecturer in Theology and Communications Coordinator, Scottish Baptist College Over the past 2 years the Scottish Baptist College has been on a journey of discernment considering...
“I was locked out of my church!”
Christine Drummond from Peebles Baptist Church has written about the issue of disabled access and inclusion, having a friend who was unable to attend a joint service due to accessibility issues at the venue. Christine shares about the work of one Christian charity who provide advocacy and training on this important issue and how Peebles Baptist are considering improving accessibility for a wide range of people.
I had been thinking it was wonderful that all the local congregations had cancelled their morning services, to worship together in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. My friend’s very different view of that Sunday was a shock.
Building Community – Circles, Not Rows
I read a line in a Christian book recently which talked about doing ‘life in circles, not in rows’, and it stopped me in my tracks.
It was speaking about the need for community within churches, not just sitting in rows on a Sunday morning, but about genuine, deep community around the meal table, the team table and seeing church as family where people really do know each other and care for each other.
Prayer Live on Zoom Over the Summer
Prayer Live on Zoom Over the Summer By Jenny Wilson, Connect Editor We continue to enjoy gathering online on the first Sunday or the month to hear stories from our churches across Scotland and pray together about what we have heard. As the summer is a time when many...
Reflections on Five Years at Gif sur Yvette
Reflections on Five Years at Gif sur Yvette Christine Kling reflects on her time with BMS as she prepares to leave BMS World Mission for a new chaplaincy role at the end of July. Before returning to her native France as a BMS Missionary, Christine was a member of...
Exciting Times for our Staff Team – Welcoming New National Team Members!
Exciting Times for our Staff Team – Welcoming New National Team Members! By Martin Hodson, General Director, BUS Over the last couple of years, you have probably heard me talk about the priorities of Transformations, Generations and Innovations. This year, we have had...