14:27

For nine years Fiona and I have lived in the small village of Crossford, Fife, just north of Edinburgh.  During that time we have started our family. We now have two well loved sons, Michael (7) and Benjy (5). For the past five years Fiona has been closely involved in village life as the village newsletter editor. This has given her a place of trust in the community, and on the village community council.

Crossford Village Hall

Crossford is a small village about two miles due west of Dunfermline, with a population of about 3000 people. It boasts a few shops, a scout hall, a play-park, a golf course, a post office, two hotels and has the best kept village hall in Fife. This old village dates back to medieval times and apparently gets its name from being the place where monks crossed over a stream when in pilgrimage between Dunfermline and Culross abbeys.

Joint Edinburgh-Crossford meeting

There is something however, which makes this pleasant old village stand out in stark contrast from the others in West Fife around it. It is not just the fact that strangers will just stop and talk to you when you’re out for a walk in the spring sunshine, no it is something else entirely–there is something that is missing in village life–Crossford has no church of its own–no place for Christians to meet. God places things on our heart which simply do not go away and it is fair to say that I sat on this one for a while. Recently however, a door in Crossford has started to open, the village hall door to be precise, and a weekly prayer meeting has started on Thursdays (7 - 8pm). When the friendly hall keeper trustingly gave us our permanent set of keys, Fiona remarked, that I felt as if I’d been given the keys to the village!

Discussion after services

Once a month Perth church make the journey down and fill out the hall a bit more as we meet for a short reading and exposition of scripture, occasionally some live Christian music, and a time of sharing and prayer. We have ads in the local village newsletter (put in free as agreed by the local village council), in the local shop and now the post office. Small beginnings, but we hope that this Christian service to the village might one day grow into something bigger.

The best part of any service

Sometimes church itself comes to Crossford, this has been in the form of Perth church and the occasional joint services between both Perth and Edinburgh. Slowly, we hope that Crossford might develop a Christian heart; that the Cross might be put back into Crossford. Whether this outreach remains simply a place of weekly prayer, and the occasional church meeting, or develops into something more, it will be in God’s good time and according to his plan. Please add your prayers to mine, that God might be glorified in this village, I know that those prayers will make a difference.

Croeso!

Our Cardiff congregation, also known as the Welcome Christian Fellowship, and our West Wales congregation have launched a bilingual website. This provides readers with a Welsh translation of selected English language articles and material. Check out the site at www.wcgwales.org.uk. This is an exciting development within our fellowship. Please pray that God will use this initiative to His glory.

Margaret Channon of the Watford church has sent in some new designs for Prayer Postcards. She has received some response already, including one from another church for which the request was to pray for revival for their local church. Let’s all pray for revival wherever we are. Why not use some of Margaret’s postcards for your congregation or design some yourself? Maybe there are some keen photographers in your congregation whose photos you could use. The thought is to distribute the postcards however you can and thereby give people the opportunity for prayer and to contact us.

Can We Pray for You?

Can We Pray for You?

I needed help.   My relationship with Christ had stalled.  

This was not the first time it had stalled and the pattern was always the same; my life would get busy and I would compromise my time with God.  I lacked the discipline that enabled my relationship with him to grow.   “God loves me,” I reasoned, “he understands.”  Yet deep down I knew I was missing the point.  I wasn’t giving my heart to him.

 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Where could I begin?  During this time I was given a book called “Choose the life” by Bill Hull.  His book embraces the concept of discipleship and the discipline that is required to be truly transformed by Christ.   The disciplines are not easy, they need to be worked into our lives so that they become habit but getting to this point requires hard work.   As disciples of Christ we should help support other disciples follow the doctrines of Christ so that they can truly give their heart to God.    We should be accountable to one another (James 5:16), esteem, comfort (1Thess 5:13-14), and agree in prayer with one another (Matt 18:19-20).   

For a long time I had been a Christian in isolation because getting to church on a regular basis was difficult (I lived too far away). I realised I was probably not alone in this situation and that there had to be a way around it.  Surely in this modern era fellowship did not require a church hall?  Moved to do something about this, I met with my old friend and fellow Christian, Cherilee.   On meeting we prayed together that Christian friends who lived apart from the church congregation might still be able to grow in faith through fellowship and friendship.   I explained to Cherilee all the places where my faith was beginning to fall down.  Together we planned baby steps to help bring me back to God.   On parting we decided to email each other every week and share our spiritual journeys.   Both of us had decided to set aside time just for God every day, a simple step that I had never managed to stay committed to before.

That regular contact with Cherilee was a turning point in my life.  Being able to share the scriptures that inspired me motivated me to read further.   From time to time our emails sought reassurance, shared confessions and asked for prayer.  Sensitive issues were raised that were crucial to the building of our faith.   To ensure God was with us in these times we would pray before every correspondence that he guide our hearts to speak his word only.  Throughout Cherilee was an example of Christian love; because of the trust I had in her to respond as Christ would I was able to confront my doubts with her and not feel judged.  Through doing this I was able to grow. After a year my faith had reached a new level entirely and both Cherilee and I wanted to share what we had learnt. Although we still keep in touch we have begun to form new accountability friendships in the hope that it will help other people grow as we did.  

The idea of accountability friendships is not new. This is just how it worked for me.  If you haven’t done so already, why not start an accountability friendship of your own?

“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galations 6:2).

Accountability does not replace the benefit of fellowship in a full church congregation, but it can help individuals grow spiritually, especially in circumstances where regular attendance is difficult.

Simone Royle is a Science teacher in Coventry and attends the Birmingham congregation.

Scammonden Youth Weekend

Following on from last year, it was requested that the Christian Youth Weekend in Scammonden become an annual event.  That request was duly granted and so forty people from across the UK got together on the 12th-14th September at Scammonden Scout Camp in Yorkshire for a weekend of fun and spiritual enrichment. The great thing about the timing of Scammonden is that it is barely five weeks after S.E.P Loch Lomond and gives everyone a chance to catch up, enhance friendships, make new ones, and assess our spiritual journeys. Scammonden is an ideal opportunity for young Christians to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Sailing at Scammonden

The programme for the weekend was well planned and many thanks must go to Steve and Moira Hudson and their team from the Leeds/Bradford congregation for working so hard.  Friday evening saw the arrival of all the young people, including a mini-bus full of youth from Scotland. There were snacks and drinks on arrival along with lots of smiles and hugs as everyone renewed their friendships.

Following a weekend orientation everyone was off to bed (although some went to sleep later than others….).

On Saturday morning, Hannah Mill and the Scottish young people led a fifteen minute worship time including songs, prayers, readings and an excellent sketch which illustrated the need for ongoing communication if a relationship with God is to flourish. After worship many staff and teenagers went sailing on the water right outside our camp building, and a few got rather wet!

By 2pm, after lunch had gone down well, members of the Leeds/Bradford congregation joined us for our church service, swelling the numbers considerably. Laura Hudson and Adele Dewhurst did an excellent job preparing and leading the service and a message on the Fatherhood of God was given by Fraser Murdoch.

A Life Club was held later in the day. Chairperson was David Francis, and Mark Francis asked some of the most thoughtful table topics questions many people had heard. Among them was the question; “If you were your favourite historical figure, what would you make of today’s society?” Speeches were given by Dorothy Dewhurst, Lucy Keen, Jonathan Carion and a hilarious double-act by Laura and Matt Hudson entitled “How to drive like a moron!”  The evening activities were a campfire, a table tennis tournament and some time to be with friends.  

Trophy Winners at the Scammonden Life Club

Sunday morning after breakfast, Helen Francis led a very thoughtful worship time which fitted perfectly with the message God had been repeating to us all weekend, that God wants a relationship with us.  Geoff Sole then prepared a morning of games including shooting, throwing, ball skills, crazy golf, skipping and more. Congratulations to team Logos for winning.

By early afternoon it was time to pack up and say goodbye as many had long journeys ahead of them. A great time was had by everyone and we are looking forward to getting together again in Perth on 22nd-23rd November for a similar weekend of activities.

The Climbing Wall

This year’s Adventure Camp took place over the August Bank Holiday, Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th. More than sixty people travelled from many parts of the country (North Wales, Plymouth, Northampton, London) to attend the event, which was held at the Well End Activity Centre near Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. There were 24 campers aged between 6 and 13, along with a large group of teen helpers/campers and staff and all enjoyed a fabulous weekend of fun, friendship and activities.   Many were first time attendees which was most encouraging.

Children took part in a wide range of activities: archery, orienteering, field games, candle making and many more. The young adults helped organize and run activities – many thanks to them. Adults and children commented on the great atmosphere.  The weekend also included an engaging interactive church service, organized by Sylvia Lowe with singing, prayers and scripture readings by children, while Tony Goudie gave the main message. The theme this year was ‘The Olympics’.

Fun and Games

At the close of the event there was a sad but very grateful and fond farewell. Judy Harper who has helped run, organize and administer Adventure Camp for many years is stepping down from the organizing committee. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was presented to Judy by the children as a token of appreciation for the countless hours of her time she’s given to help make Adventure Camp run smoothly. She will be missed!

The whole weekend was a very successful, fun-filled event and the campers have vowed to return. It was indeed a fantastic Camp.

 

 

Baptism in Loch Lomond!

Since the middle of July there have been seven baptisms within the WCG UK. Three took place during SEP with some of the older campers who wanted to make a commitment to Christ (Glen Thompson, Mark and Anise Francis). Two more baptisms took place in Loch Lomond - Darren Glennie’s occurred during SEP set-up and Steve Dickson’s took place at the end of SEP take-down.  They are both from the Glasgow congregation.  Another one took place on Saturday 26th July, as members from WCG Nottingham gathered to celebrate the baptism of Paul Bescoby in Lincoln.  A Bible Study is held there once a month, which Paul started attending after being invited by his friend, Daniel Gray.  The baptism was performed by the WCG Nottingham Pastor, Ian Woodley. Sebastian Woolford’s baptism took place during the first part of August in London.  To all of the people involved, a warm welcome to the body of Christ and we rejoice with them.

  

 

 

Welcome to S.E.P Loch Lomond

SEP at Loch Lomond in Scotland, which finished a week or so ago, is a bit like Brigadoon, the mysterious village in the musical of the same name that appears every 100 years for one day and then disappears. SEP, however, our youth village, appears for two weeks before once again disappearing for another year. 

A large field is transformed into a bustling hive of activity and fun during that time. This year 110 campers enjoyed the opportunity to experience a surplus of physical, mental and spiritual activity. Sports activities such as fitness and football, volleyball and netball vied with the water sports of sailing and canoeing. Hill walking and mountain biking provided more strenuous outlets while art and crafts, worship preparation and Christian living classes gave the opportunity to express creativity, spiritual development and individuality. Evening activities, which involved the whole of camp, ranged from the sports competitions to sing-alongs to dances and quiz and movie nights.

Behind the scenes are the staff, including qualified instructors in their various fields, as well as a small army of volunteers who donate their holiday time or who even take unpaid leave to make SEP a very special experience for the young people who attend.  During the camp a camaraderie develops between the campers and the staff which helps to make all the sacrifices being made worth while.  Even when the weather doesn’t always cooperate there is a cheerfulness that prevails, and the good food provided from the cooks in the barn kitchen keeps the spirits up.  

One of the highlights of camp comes with the Final Banquet for which the main marquee is transformed from an everyday field workplace to whichever exotic hotspot has been chosen. This year it became a Night at the Loch Lomond Oscars which included a red carpet for the entrance of the evening’s celebrities as well as two ten foot Oscar statues.  

Campers outdid themselves dressing up for the occasion which featured a lovely meal, special Oscar awards and was followed by a disco.  

The final day included a worship service which was followed by three baptisms in the loch witnessed by all the campers.  The rain which had plummetted down all day stopped and the sun shone for the baptisms.  It was a wonderful way to conclude a very successful camp.  We look forward to the reappearance of the SEP village again next year!

I was invited recently to participate in a daily radio program from 10 am to 12 noon. It is a Christian radio station that belongs to a mega-church of more than 25,000 members. It is believed that this radio station, VIDA-AM, reaches nearly 100,000 people in the country. Senior pastor Eduardo Canas has been very kind to allow our WCG radio program to be aired on this radio station.

Radio Broadcast

Recently I told the station’s manager that we were not able to continue paying for our daily five-minute program and therefore we were canceling it. So the proposal they presented to me last week was that if I could help them during a daily two-hour variety section, they would give us our daily five minutes free. Not only are they giving us our daily program without charge, but they are also inviting me to present a section called Alimento para el Alma (Food for the Soul), which is three-minute commentary on spiritual subjects that plays three or four times during the two hours of the variety program. I am also welcome to participate with opinions and comments on news or subjects that come up during the program.

Prayer Postcard

A member of the Watford congregation, Margaret Channon, decided to put her photographic and artistic talents to evangelical use by making postcards offering to pray for people.  The idea is to put them in mailboxes in the area near Garston Community Church where the Watford congregation meets.  This is a follow-up from Margaret. 

 “I handed out a few of those postcards on Saturday. I must have accidentally given one young man two stuck together. A little while later a car pulled up across the road, out he jumped, dashed over to me and handed two prayers for his family, and dashed back. At the prayer meeting after service we prayed for him and his family. I have given some more cards to Irene Wilson to hand out next Saturday. She said that she would put some stamps on them to show we care. We will see what happens next.”