 Hawick Baptist Church, Scottish Charity SC003568 | sitemap | log in
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Latest News. Church Plant in Hawick 01 January 2009
During December 2008, I presented a “Vision” document to the Management Team and the Church Members. The essence of that document was a recognition that our current church is unlikely, in its current form, to attract a target group of families in the age range below 40. As a result of a poll of the members, overwhelming support (with no negative reponses) has been received for the following proposition. “That the members of the Hawick Baptist Church commission a new ministry, to be known as “Open House,” with the express purpose of reaching the unchurched for Christ.” As a result of this vote we will be wrestling with all of the implications of a church plant over the next weeks. Pray that God will have all the glory and that we would be led by Him in all of the plans that have to be made. Pray also for a secure and progressive Leadership Team to oversee the church plant. Pastor Alex Winter programme 05 September 2008 The winter 2008 programme is well under way with a busy few months ahead. The SBWF Fellowship weekend, the "Spree" weekend for kids, the BMS Mission Sunday, a combined Baptismal service with our brothers and sisters from The Abundant Life church. Speakers from BU and a trip, for the Pastor and Susan, to the US in support of our links with Baptist Convention of Maryland / Delaware. Just a few of the things happening in the next few months, and we are just getting over having the Virginia Voices in the Borders. What an immense blessing they brought to us. Keep on keeping on! Because it hasn't "aye been.!" Pastor's Desk June 2008 19 June 2008 From the Pastor’s Desk
What a month. Blessing after blessing!
It seems that God is moving in an incredible way in Hawick. I met a local man the other day who said to me “Remember that God works very slowly in Hawick.” “Aye, right!” If that is right then I have a serious suspicion that God has changed His mode in Hawick.
Just this month we have forged links with the “Grafted” group of the Church Army in Newcastleton and 10 of us attended one of their “Refresh” meetings. They have acknowledged God’s leading in offering to assist us with outreach work and Children & Youth work. Thank you Lord for your obedient servants.
Susan and I have been asked to lead a “Spiritual Checklist” day for the leaders of “Grafted”. This is provisionally planned for Monday 24th August 2008. Pray that Susan and I would have deep spiritual insight into the issues which face this leadership team.
I have had long discussion with Esther Bailey of Scripture Union and with her assistance am seeking to establish links into the local schools. A “Back to School with God” Sunday is being arranged alongside Scripture Union for Sunday 24th August 2008. It is our intention to invite local school principals and teaching staff to a service where we will commit ourselves to pray for and support them in the new school year. Further information about that can be found on the SU web site www.suscotland.org.uk .
I have been in touch with the Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders Police and offered my services as a Chaplain to the Police. Although his response is that the L&B Police does not appoint Force Chaplains, I have an appointment on Tuesday 8th August 2008 to discuss possibilities with the local Divisional Superintendent. Pray for that meeting for God’s will to be done. The whole of L&B Police service could be affected! (Strathclyde Police has 22 Chaplains)
Susan and I were invited to dinner in Edinburgh with Kenn Hughes. Kenn is the Music Director for the whole of the Southern Baptist Convention, some 42,000 churches with 16 million members!! A visit to Hawick with Southern Baptist’s “Virginia Voices” has already been arranged by the HMA, but next year we will do something different. I will be meeting with Kenn again in early September to make plans. If you have any ideas that you think would be workable please let me know before September.
The Maryland / Delaware partnership is going ahead, and I have been invited to be a speaker at their Convention Assembly in Baltimore in early November 2008. They will carry my expenses for the trip. Once again if you have ideas for teams for next year please speak to me soon. Churches are getting their bids in, and I should try to finalise most of next year’s plans in November.
Apart from all of that this month, I have been faced with my first, all female, Management Team meeting, an Annual General Member’s Meeting, the Common Riding, the Baptist Minister’s Conference at St. Andrews, a Church Picnic at Harestanes and a Pizza Club Parents evening!
The church picnic was well attended and a great day out. The Pizza Club parents were suitably impressed by their little ones and a great evening of fellowship was had by all. A new group the “Y.G” was introduced to the parents with a PowerPoint presentation put together by YG members.
Within the church it seems that the Bible Studies are relatively well supported and popular with those who attend and the move back into the Sanctuary for the evening services has been very well received by most folks. During routine visitation a few Pastoral issues have been dealt with and I am still seeking to get round as many as possible. I have been encouraged to see attendances at church and especially the Common Riding Sunday which I was given to understand would be very sparsely attended.
I am setting up a completely new web site for the church and would like any input that you may have for that.
Some of the current needs:
Preparation for Sunday service presentations. (Songs, powerpoints etc) Sunday service data projector assistants (both services) Sound Desk operators (evening services) The key for these positions is consistency and reliability, not knowledge.
Please keep in mind that Susan and I are here to serve you and that the Manse is an Open House. If I still have not been to see you at home, please feel free to set up an appointment with me at any time.
May our God continue to bless us all as we seek to serve Him together, demonstrating Christ’s love in action.
Your friend and Pastor
Alex |
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