 |
|
|
It
wasn‘t long before many churches saw the benefit of such an
organisation which set out to organise women‘s work in the churches and
community, promote the spread of the Gospel and assist the Baptist
union in promoting any plans for the furtherance of the denomination.
Space prohibits further history of the WA but stalwart God-fearing and
God-honouring women of integrity and faith served the organisation well
and gave a sterling example to those who would follow. In recent years
there has been a decline in numbers but we are in good heart. Following
a review of the women‘s work a number of years ago, the WA in 2001 gave
birth to the Scottish Baptist Women‘s Fellow-ship (WF for short),
taking as its motto "Serving God in Everything".
|
|
|
|
At
the present time the women are involved in various ministries across
Scotland. Some are involved in church leadership, serving as deacons,
church secretaries, church treasurers, pastoral assistants, while
others are involved practically in Moth-ers & Toddlers, coffee
mornings, lunch clubs, youth and children‘s work, alpha groups,
visitation and support of the elderly and those who are ill, craft work
etc. Others are involved within the community as street pastors,
counsellors, assisting with vulnerable adults and those with mental
health problems including addiction. There are also other areas where
the women serve, too numerous to mention, suffice to say that on both
spiritual and prac-tical levels they are using their gifts and
abilities to serve the Lord, their local church and community as well
as nationally.
From October 2009 – October 2010 the Scottish Baptist women have been
celebrat-ing their birthday -100 years. Some groups celebrated
individually within their own churches, others by coming together in
area groups, both with a special programme to commemorate the founding
of Baptist women‘s work, giving thanks for all that has gone before,
while looking how best to proceed into the future. The gatherings, of
course had a birthday cake, and often old photographs were displayed
comparing the past with the present evoking fond memories for many.
The celebrations culminated on October 1st 2010 with a special Birthday
Lunch held in the Bellshill Hilton Hotel, near Glasgow. It was a lovely
day and we ate very well! Following the lunch several ladies shared one
or two memories they had of WA and of what they hoped for the future.
Both the past and present General Directors of the Baptist Union, Revs.
Bill Slack and Alan Donaldson respectively ad-dressed the gathering and
paid tribute to the work of the women within the denomination.
|
|
Bill
spoke of how anything living has to change because that is how God is
at work in His people. The truth never changes but God asks His people
to change. In the context of hope and thanksgiving he encouraged the
women to celebrate 100 years and take the work on into the future with
the faithfulness of Ruth, the courage of Esther, the warm hospitality
of Martha and the passion of Mary.
Alan
asked the question "How are we doing?‘ He said he cared enough to hear
the answer. Historically women have served to develop, to encourage
etc.; he urged us to be a catalyst in the life of Scottish Baptists.
Numbers are down, the existing groups are ageing, there are deficits
financially. The answer to the question is painful, maybe threatening;
weep for the decline but do not lose hope. There are opportunities
which must be taken – future development to do mission, building on
Christ, His kingdom, His Church; infiltrate the darkness with His
light, being sent with the good news of Jesus to assist the family of
churches. The women are the one group which still has good channels of
communication within the denomination. Keep meeting, keep connecting.
As
we listened we were encouraged to go into the future and to seek the
guidance and direction of God on all and any future efforts on our part
to "serve Him in everything."
back
to top
Table
of Contents
|
|
|
|
