Monday 15th April 2024
A small group of us have just finished our first book together, “How to be (Un)Successful – An Unlikely Guide to Human Flourishing” by Pete Portal.
In this book, Pete invited us to recognise the beauty and complexity of the world we live in and how we, individually and collectively, may have conformed our faith in Jesus to simple consumer culture and cultural preferences. We were challenged to reset our understanding of success, choosing love over efficiency, depth over volume and real friendship over cold transactions.
By drawing on scripture and the often-painful progress of his ministry among gangs and drug culture in a township of Cape Town, Pete shows how Jesus’ life and teaching are the perfect antidote for a world growing sick with the wrong sort of success.
We meet usually on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10am in the Granary at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries (DCLG) for about an hour.
The Big Church Read website is also a great way to find books for your own personal reading or to use in a small group. https://thebigchurchread.co.uk/choose-a-book/
If this is something that interests you, have a chat with Duncan or Hazel Christie
Do you ever struggle to find ways to live authentically as a follower of Jesus, or to integrate your faith into your daily life? In your workplace, how do you deal with office politics or difficult colleagues? In the street where you live, how can you engage neighbours in a meaningful way to impact their lives with the love of God? How can you share your faith with “gentleness and respect”?
Frontline is an opportunity to connect with others to share some of the real-life challenges and opportunities we face as we live out our faith and make Jesus known. We’ll share stories and situations where we face challenge, opportunity or blessing, then pray over these with one another. Importantly, this is about seeking God’s strength and wisdom as we navigate the joys and struggles of living out our faith in the real world.
Frontline meets 7:30pm on the last Thursday evening of every second month, beginning Thursday 25th April 2024 (then June, August and October)
If you have any questions, or want to know more, please speak to Duncan Christie (duncan.christie@viewfield.org.uk), or contact the church office.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
BMS Birthday Scheme
The Baptist Missionary Society operates to serve God and spread His message of eternal love and salvation in many countries across the world.
The mission staff’s work is not just to tell people about God’s work and love, but to demonstrate it in practical ways too. In Guinebor II hospital in Chad, among its “normal” health care role of caring for babies, vaccination services and looking after the many local people - over 1000 operations are carried out each year.
In many poor countries devastated by famine and wars – food aid projects run alongside agriculture training plans to help grow valuable, sustainable crops and bring help to transport and market them for a good price to maintain and build the economic future of locals.
We don’t have to even leave home to support those chosen by God for these valuable tasks. We can, of course, pray, but financial support is necessary too. That can also be done, quite easily, from home by:
Joining the Birthday Scheme – where every year you will receive a birthday card, news bulletin and a donation envelope, so you can celebrate your own special day by thanking God for His love over the past year. Cash or cheque donations can be returned in the envelope or you can donate directly to BMS World Mission (online or through your bank) – with Gift Aid if you are a UK tax payer. Last year over £200 was raised in this way.
Filling a box with your loose change and handing it in to be counted and added together. It doesn’t matter how much you can give (mony a mickle macks a muckle – as my Granny used to say). Every penny counts and last year we raised over £270.
In recent years the number of Birthday Scheme members and box collectors has fallen as many of our older, faithful friends have been called back home and others have moved away from the area.
If you want to join either (or both) of these ways to donate and thank our Heavenly Father, see Gillian Hall. For more information please check www.bmsworldmission.org/birthday
Community Fun Day @ Viewfield
Spread the word!
We’re hosting our Summer Community Fun Day on Saturday 15th June from 10am till 2pm and everyone is invited!
It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow church members, introduce your friends and neighbours to our welcoming community, and enjoy a day filled with activities for all ages.
We'll have the ever-popular Toy Sale, as well as games, crafts, face-painting, cream-teas, ice-cream, BBQ and even some surprises! Come for the fun, stay for the fellowship – it's going to be a blast!
An Update from Togo
As you know, as a church we are raising money for the Child Survival programme in Togo through the international Christian charity Compassion. There there are 30 Mothers and Babies to be directly supported by Viewfield's fundraising over a 10-month period.
During the last quarter
13 mothers and their babies are being supported
1 women is exclusively breastfeeding her baby in the first 6 months
1 mother is pregnant
Click here for a leaflet with more information on the work which is happening in Togo.
Please speak to Charlie or any of the leadership team if you would like to donate or have ideas to help raise funds.
Wednesday 28th February 2024
Easter Services at Viewfield
Palm Sunday (24th March)
- Morning Worship -10.30am
- Evening Communion – 6.30pm (led by Thorsten Prill)
Maundy Thursday (28th March)
- Evening service - 6.30pm. At this service we will share in a time of communion.
Easter Saturday (30th March)
- Prayer walk. We will meet at the Viewfield Centre at 10am on Easter Saturday. There isn’t a formal structure or map to this prayer walk, rather this time we will gather in groups of two or three and walk wherever we feel led by the Spirit, talking and then praying as we walk, aiming to be back at the Centre for refreshments by 11am. If anyone would like to come just to sit and pray at the Centre instead for an hour, they would be most welcome. Any questions, ask Sophie.
Easter Sunday (31st March)
- Morning Worship. We will have our morning service, including Communion, at the usual time of 10.30am where we celebrate our risen Saviour.
- Evening service. There will be a joint Easter Sunday evening service at Glenrothes Baptist Church at 6.30pm. Alternatively, please see below for details of the Origin Scotland ‘Resurrection’.
Origin Scotland
From Origin Scotland:
Celebrate the greatest event in history with the Origin band, choir and orchestra, let by Allan McKinlay, Fiona Crow, and Steph Macleod. Our guest speaker this year is Kenny Borthwick.
We are looking forward to an awesome evening in God's presence - come expectant, and ready to worship the King of kings.What to expect?
A contemporary worship service that includes the best of the latest worship songs along with the greatest hymns of the past, dynamic readings of scripture, and an opportunity to stand together as the Church of Jesus Christ in a public space and declare: He is risen!
Tickets for RESURRECTION are available online. Tickets are available with a suggested donation on booking to cover the costs and to avoid a collection on the night. For those that can’t afford it, free tickets are available by calling the box office on 0131 541 0117 (Mon-Thurs 8am - 3pm). We try to strike a balance between having to pay the bills, and making sure no-one is excluded.
Our vision is for all Christians to meet in each church's own tradition on Easter morning, and then in the evening, as the Church in Edinburgh and surrounding towns, unite to declare "He is risen". We hope you will join us for this wonderful evening of worship.
Event: RESURRECTION 2024
Venues: Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh
Date: Sunday 31 March 2024
Admission: Pay what you want - suggested donation when you book.
For more information and to book tickets, visit the Origin Scotland website here.
Increase Prayer Intensive
On Thursday 14th March there will be an online National Prayer Gathering at 7.30pm for approximately an hour. The Baptist Union of Scotland invites everyone from Scottish Baptist churches to join together online. The gathering is taking place over Zoom and can be accessed at this link: Evening Prayer Gathering Link
From the Baptist Union of Scotland:
INCREASE PRAYER, TRANSFORM A NATION
An invitation to hope…
What could it be like if we gathered together to encounter God in worship, to seek his face in prayer, to hear his word and listen to his voice more often across the Nation?
God’s word reminds us in Zechariah 4:6 that it’s “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord” and Jesus also reiterates that when he says in John 15: “Apart from me you can do nothing”.
Saturday 4th November 2023
Origin Scotland
Tickets for the Origin Christmas Special are now available online and by calling the Origin box office.
This will be a Christmas evening to remember, led by the Origin choir and orchestra, full of well-known carols and great Christmas music.
Start December off on the right foot! Invite your friends along at the start of the month, and follow that up with an invitation to your own church carol services on Christmas eve and Christmas day.
Tickets are free, but we do make a suggestion for donation when booking online in order to cover our costs. For those who genuinely need a free ticket, please call us on 0131 541 0117 and we'll arrange a complimentary ticket for you.We're delighted to have Rev Ian MacDonald join us for Christmas in Edinburgh this year. Ian is the minister at Holy Trinity Wester Hailes. He was appointed as Parish Minister in 2017, having been Associate Minister since 2005. He studied at the University of Aberdeen, followed by post-graduate research at Edinburgh University. Ian believes the Lord is raising up a people in our midst who will love God and take Him at his word, discipling others to do the same. He and his wife Colleen are both enthusiastically involved in various ministries and they have three young children.
For more information, visit the Origin Scotland website here or click here to book tickets.
The Big Church Read
What is it?
An opportunity to read a new and relevant Christian book together with your Viewfield friends and guided by the author. You can read more on the website: https://thebigchurchread.co.uk/what-is-a-big-church-read/
How does it work?
3 times a year, the Big Church Read will announce a book. We’ll each get a copy (good opportunity to support our local Christian Bookshop and get a 10% discount if we buy together!), then follow the reading plan and notes provided by the author. Optionally, meet up once a month in person, or online to share what we’ve learned and enjoyed.
What sort of books?
A wide range of new or recent books by Christian authors. For example, the next book chosen is “How to be (Un)Successful: An unlikely guide to human flourishing” by Pete Portal.
Here’s a synopsis:
Journey with Pete Portal as he invites us to recognise the beauty and complexity of the world we live in and how we, individually and collectively, may have conformed our faith in Jesus to simple consumer culture and cultural preferences. This is an opportunity to redefine success, choosing love over efficiency, depth over volume and real friendship over cold transactions. Jesus’ life and teaching are the perfect antidote for a world growing sick with the wrong sort of success. Pete invites you to experience a success that truly satisfies our souls.
If you’re interested?
Speak to, or email Duncan Christie (duncan.christie@viewfield.org.uk)
CAP Money Coaching
Thursday 16th, 23rd and 30th November - 7 to 9 pm in the Viewfield Centre
Over a third of UK adults (39%) say they don’t feel confident managing their money. Over two-thirds (68%) have felt stressed due to the cost-of-living’s impact on their finances this year and almost half (46%) are in debt as a result of the crisis.
Christians Against Poverty is on the front line of the cost-of-living crisis, providing free debt help and money coaching in partnership with local churches.
We will be running the brand-new CAP Money Coaching course starting on Thursday 16th November for 3 weeks. The course is designed to help everyone, from seasoned budgeting experts to those struggling to get a grasp of their spending. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and tools to be able to manage their personal finances more confidently.
Come along yourself, or reach out to a friend, neighbour, or family member who may also benefit from and enjoy the course.
Please register using the link below:
· https://tinyurl.com/ViewfieldCAPMoney
(You will need to click the button for “Create a CAP Money Online account and join this course”. This will set up your own personal course account where you will be able to access the online budgeting tool and other resources.)
For more information, please pick up a flyer, or email cap@viewfield.org.uk
Joyfully Made
There are two upcoming Joyfully Made events, one in December and one in January.
Joyfully Made - Women’s Creative Christmas Day Retreat takes place at Lendrick Muir (near Kinross) on the 9th December 2023 from 10am to 5pm. It will include Christmas crafts, seasonal reflections and festive food.
From the 19th to the 21st January 2024 there is a Joyfully Made creative retreat taking place at Gowanbank, Darvel. If you love creating and crafting, why not take some time away to connect with yourself, others and God through a weekend of creativity, worship, prayer and community.
For more information click on these links:
Monday 2nd October 2023
Prayer Walk
About a dozen of us gathered on Saturday 9th September to do a prayer walk. A few remained behind to do a virtual version which worked really well, enabling them to follow our progress along the route and pray alongside us in real time. We walked around town and stopped at about 7 different spots praying for our local community on various different topics. It felt like a powerful time of intercession and the immediacy of being physically in the places felt particularly impactful. People thought afterwards it was a very worthwhile thing to do and we intend to arrange another one, to which all would be welcome to join.
Canopy
Baptist Union of Scotland
Just ONE MONTH to go until Canopy Autumn!
Canopy Autumn will include two online sessions on the morning of Saturday 28th October which you will be able to access wherever you are
The first will be a Bible teaching session led by Old Testament scholar and author, Professor Carmen Imes. In the second part of the morning there will be an excellent choice of online seminars and you can find all the details on seminars and contributors by clicking the link below... the trickiest bit will be choosing which one to join live!
SU Holidays - Activity Days
EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING AN SU HOLIDAY HAS TO OFFER...SQUEEZED INTO JUST ONE DAY!
An action-packed day of activities at Lendrick Muir, not forgetting the great Bible engagement too! An opportunity to make new friends or why not bring some along! So get booked in! Remember bring your own packed lunch, we’ll provide the snacks! The day starts at 10am, finishes 4.30pm.
Activity Day - 9th October: P7-S3
Activity Day - 13th October: P5-S1
Joyfully Made
If you are between the ages of 7 and 12 with a love for creativity, then Joyfully Made Junior is set to be a day full of fun for you. Come to Lendrick Muir to enjoy hours of crafts, games and activities with the Joyfully Made team. Throughout the day we’ll also be deciphering codes, investigating hidden messages and solving a mystery in the making as we explore the Bible together. Bring a packed lunch and we’ll provide the snacks! The day runs between 10am and 4:30pm.
Vision Romania
The 2023 Vision Romania Christmas Shoebox Appeal is now open!
There is a Just Giving page for on-line donations (https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/vrchristmas23), or speak to Jim or Margaret Leiper if you would like to give another way. We think around £15 would allow a nice gift for a child, but any donation would be gratefully received and effectively applied. Please also consider adding Gift Aid to your donation if you are a tax payer.
Please consider making special gift for the children as, for many, this will be all they receive this Christmas.
A big THANK YOU on behalf of those you are helping.
Saturday 8th July 2023
Walk Through the Bible
On the 26th August Jon Taylor will be leading a Walk Through The Bible (Old Testament) event at Viewfield. Jon has been leading these events across Scotland for 4 years and is very excited to be bringing it to Viewfield. It's an incredibly helpful day that can completely transform your understanding of the Old Testament and increase your desire to dive deep into God's word, read on to find out more about it.
Who is it for?
Have you ever thought you'd like to understand how the Old Testament (OT) fits together better? Have you ever wondered who Zerubbabel is and what he's got to do with the Temple? Where does Passover fit in? And why are there so many lists of names! If you want to know the answers to these and many other questions then Walk Through OT is for you! It is mainly aimed at adults, although young people who wish to come are welcome and can attend for free. Nobody has too little or too much Bible knowledge to find the day useful, the same material is covered from 10 year olds hearing Bible stories for the first time, through to experienced theologians and church leaders doing university level studies.
What does it involve?
We'll explore the OT through 40 key stories, many of which you know already. You'll learn how they fit together to form a narrative from Creation to the wait for Christ, and by the end of the day you will be able to recite all 40 in order, using key words and hand signs to aid your memory. You'll get a lovely workbook for the day, which also includes resources for your own Bible reading, as well as the option to take home some other free or paid for resources to help with your own Bible study.
When/where is it?
The event takes place at Viewfield Baptist Church on Saturday 26th August, 10am - 4:30pm. There will be 5x 1hr sessions, with breaks for tea/coffee (provided) and lunch (bring your own packed lunch or take a stroll into the city centre to pick something up).
Does it cost anything?
The cost for adults is £14 per person, however don't let the cost put you off, there is support available for any who might struggle to afford it, just let the office know. Young people aged 17 and under are free. You can pay by cash in advance via the office, or by card or cash on the day.
How do I book my place?
If you want to come then please let us know by emailing the office, or by filling in the google form (which will be distributed by email in the next week). There is no limit to the number of people who can attend, but we need to make sure we have enough resources for everyone.
That's really helpful information, but what do I do if I still have questions?
If you still have questions then speak to Jon Taylor, or email the office and Juline can pass them on.
Origin Scotland
There are a number of Origin Scotland events coming up in August and September.
Visit the Origin Scotland website www.originscotland.org
Origin Big Band - 17th August
Brand new from Origin Scotland - introducing the Origin Big Band
An evening of big band jazz standards and big band settings of songs of praise and worship, this is a first from Origin.
Accompanying the soloists Unoma Okudo, Scott Rennie, Ellyn Oliver and Jonny Russell will be a 18-piece jazz ensemble put together just for one night.
Cafe-style refreshments will be available for sale and the room set out cafe-style, so bring some friends, chill with a coffee and cake and listen to some great jazz, and hear the singers share the reason we play it.
Admission is free, no tickets required. There will be an option to pay what you think it's worth as you leave.
Foot Stomping Gospel Band - 18th August
Join Origin's Foot Stomping Gospel Band for an evening of fantastic blues and Gospel music.
Playing a mixture of blues and Gospel standards, as well as re-interpretations of classic foot-stomping hymns from the 20th century, Foot Stomping Gospel Band performances do exactly what it says on the tin.
It's a great opportunity to bring a friend along to hear fantastic music and the stories of the singers as they share both their music and their faith in a relaxed environment.
No tickets are required for this performance. Admission is free. Opportunity to "give what you think it's worth" as you leave (cash or card).
Refreshments will be available.
Band Members: Scott Rennie, Ellyn Oliver, Jonny Russell (lead vocals); Dave Biddulph (bass); Colin Dyer, Tim Martin (keys); Raymond Donaldson (guitar); Luke Wilson (drums)
Wednesday 17th May 2023
Community Fun Day
We are excited to be planning a Community Fun Day for Saturday 17 June from 10am - 2pm. We hope that as many of the church family as possible will participate in some way, and we also hope to engage with many people from our community - especially people we are building relationships with such as the Scout Groups, the Toddlers families and customers from Zac's Cafe.
There will be a wide range of activities and refreshments - something for everyone, from adults enjoying a relaxing Cream Tea in the Viewfield Centre, through to children playing on the Soft Play. There will also be a barbecue, an ice cream parlour, games, puzzles and a second hand toy sale.
To make this happen we need a large number of volunteers, so it would be fantastic if you can offer to help in some way. We'd love to have enough volunteers to allow everyone to help for some of the time, and also have time to join in with the activities.
Please have a look at the form at this link for a bit more information:- forms.gle/Fz7HrCwFBReB8Fta8 then complete the form and submit it by Tuesday 23rd of May - or as soon as you are able.
This is a fantastic opportunity for us to enjoy fellowship with one another and engage with the people we are getting to know through our missional activities, so please try to help if you possibly can (there are tasks you can help with even if you're not very physically fit, and you don't need to be available for the full time).
If you would like more information, please speak to Duncan, Charlie or Ali.
Many thanks
The Community Fun Day planning Team
Ceilidh in the Kingdom
Let’s Get Ellie to Australia!
Ellie has an amazing opportunity to dance in Australia in January 2024. In order to raise money for trip, a quiz night has been organised for Saturday 27th May - 7pm to 11pm. It is taking place in The Queens Hall, Charlestown and it cost £20 for a team of 4. All funds raised will help fund Ellie’s trip to Australia.
Put on something tartan, bring some family or friends! Scottish ceilidh dance music with dance steps being 'called' by a band member, to help those unfamiliar with the dances. This event is open to all the community, around Dunfermline especially and is a family friendly event.
There will be periods when the band will play music but not call dances, so everyone can have time for talking with others. Around 8.30pm a light finger buffet supper is included, along with refreshments.
Chance to support Ellie Mitchell, 16, from Crombie, Fife, who has won herself a dance spot in the 'Follow Your Dreams Nationals' in Adelaide, Australia. Ellie will give a short performance during our evening and tell us about the international competition.
Taking place Saturday 10th June 6.30pm til 10pm at Viewfield Baptist Church.
Tickets to Ceilidh in the Kingdom cost £8 for an adult which includes a light finger-buffet supper. Up to two children can come free with an adult, but the maximum number of children at the Ceilidh, is set at 30.
Please purchase your tickets early to ensure your place and your supper. Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite by clicking here. For those who cannot book online, tickets may be obtained at the Church Office.
Friday 21st April 2023
Prayer Day
Saturday 20th May, 11am - 3pm in the Church Sanctuary.
Join us for as little or as long as you like, on a drop-in basis.
Pray as you wish or, if you prefer, you can be guided by the prayers provided. There will be information about the various Viewfield Ministries at prayer stations throughout the space and there will be opportunities for reflective prayer.
For more information contact Sophie:
prayer@viewfield.org.uk
Community Fun Day @ Viewfield
Save the date! Saturday 17th June 10am - 2pm
For the whole church family. Come along to help out and enjoy the day together as we throw open the doors and welcome visitors to join us for a fun day of activities, BBQ, Toy Sale, Home baking, face painting, cream-teas and much more…
Look out for details of activities and how you can get involved coming soon!
Zac's Cafe - Special Event
On Friday 28 April Zac's Cafe will be open to the Church Family Only from 2.30pm. Please bring your children and grandchildren and come along to have a cuppa and a scone/traybake whilst the youngsters enjoy our Soft Play.
The Dry run will start at 2.30pm with the official opening ceremony taking place at 3.30pm with invited guests, and the facility will remain open thereafter until 5pm.
Request for Help
If you can assist us by providing a traybake or some scones for this special event please contact Gui on zctl@viewfield.org.uk no later than Monday 24 April.
