“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...
The Joy of Interconnectedness
The Joy of Interconnectedness It is always so encouraging to hear stories of our churches connecting with one another. Here is a fantastic story of a city church, an island church and a rural church enjoying connecting with each other in this season. (Editorial note:...
Fruitfulness and Connection at Canopy 2021!
Fruitfulness and Connection at Canopy 2021! By Jenny Wilson, Canopy Administrator We are delighted to be able to share some news about Canopy 2021, which will take place online, hopefully with local hub gatherings, from 1-3 October. Together over the weekend we will...
A New Clarion Call
A New Clarion Call By Andrew Clarke, CMD Lead All things bright and beautiful All creatures great and small. Deeply rooted in our theology is the conviction of a Creator, who saw everything he had made, and pronounced it – even defined it – ‘Very good’. Welcome...
Baptism Joy at Viewfield!
Baptism Joy at Viewfield! By Rae Mackenzie, minister of Viewfield Baptist in Dunfermline The anticipation was building, the excitement was electric and the presence of God was tangible. We were meeting in person as the local church family at Viewfield Baptist Church...
The Covid Situation in Bangladesh and Nepal
The Covid Situation in Bangladesh and Nepal By Jenny Wilson, Connect Editor We have all recently seen footage of the heartbreaking situation in India with hospitals being overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and, sadly, the many deaths of people from this terrible...
Phone Call at Dedridge
Phone Call at Dedridge By Kieran Banks, Minister of Dedridge Baptist Church Kyle has kindly given us permission to share his story. The phone rang and an anxious, uncertain voice introduced itself. Kyle lives near our church, and during lockdown began to feel a...
Armed Forces Chaplaincy
Armed Forces Chaplaincy By Rev (Maj) Chris Withers Army Chaplain to 6 Regt Royal Logistics Corps, North Yorkshire. In our next Chaplaincy profile, we hear from Rev (Maj) Chris Withers as he shares about his role and ministry as an Army Chaplain. Unlike any other form...
Who are we as we come out of Lockdown?
Who are we as we come out of Lockdown? By Ali Laing, Next Generation Development Co-ordinator Summer 2021 seems to be marking a time that we begin to get something resembling normality. Despite some small increases in infections hospital admissions seem to have...
Looking Backwards, Forwards, & Upwards
Looking Backwards, Forwards, & Upwards By John Toller, Minister at Carnoustie BC At the beginning of March we had a wonderful weekend celebrating the 10th anniversary of Carnoustie Baptist Church. It was a little strange being on my own in the church building to...
Creativity Flourishing at South Leith Baptist
Creativity Flourishing at South Leith Baptist By Bill Cowie, Interim Moderator at South Leith BC South Leith Baptist Church are starting a project to reach young people in the community, through providing free tuition in drama, dance, music and multimedia. The project...
Supporting The Local Church – Our Burning Desire
Supporting The Local Church – Our Burning Desire By George Thomson, SBLPA Events Secretary In common with most organisations across the nation, the Scottish Baptist Lay Preachers’ Association has found this period of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions challenging to...