There are now only 5 sleeps until the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention.  I hope you are all as excited as the planning committee.  To make the most of the day there are a few things which we thought it would be useful for you all to know.

• Firstly, doors will open at 9am and tea & coffee with be available.  Do give yourself time to sign up for your Seminars.

• The first session will start at 10am and the last session will be finished by 4.30pm.

• There will be a bookstall provided by 10ofthose.com, so do come prepared to purchase some awesome books!

• Nursing Mums are more than welcome to bring their baby.  There is be a room with a video feed available if you want to breastfeed in privacy.

• Lunch is not provided but there are plenty of places nearby to pick up some lunch, or why not bring something with you so you can use the lunchtime period to have fellowship with one another.

• Charlotte Chapel is situated at 58 Shandwick Place and is easily accessible by public transport.  The train is an easy option as Haymarket is a 10-minute walk from Charlotte Chapel.  Tram or bus stops are just outside the church.  The Lothian Bus website will give you all the information needed.  Parking around Charlotte is all on-street parking and pay and display.  Melville Street is the best place to aim for.  There is a NCP multi-story carpark nearby as well.  It is possible to park a little further out where is it free on a Saturday and walk the rest.  Edinburgh Council has an interactive map which shows the parking restrictions and where it is free to park on Saturday.  If you are coming from Glasgow or over a bridge an alternative would be to park and ride at Ingliston You can park for free and then get the tram into town.  The tram stop is 2 mins walk from the church.

Please do get in touch at scottishwomensbibleconvention@gmail.com if you have any questions.  Also, do remember in your prayers our speaker and the seminar leaders as they finalise their preparations.

Tickets are currently sold out and you can join a waiting list at swbc2018.eventbrite.co.uk

On arrival at the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention everyone will need to sign up for their seminar. To avoid long queues, we’d encourage everyone to have decided beforehand what they’d like to sign up for. Below are the seminar description with links to the post from the seminar leader sharing more about the topic.

Morning seminars

Empty cradle and early grave – Miriam Montgomery

The seminar will look at the place of grief and suffering in the Christian life. We will explore what different Biblical texts, from the psalms to the gospels, have to say on the subject. We will also discuss how the church, and individual Christians, can comfort those who are dealing with trials.

Bird’s Eye View of Romans – Amy Wicks

We’ll be looking at a Bird’s Eye View of Romans – trying to understand what the book of Romans is about as a whole and why Paul bothered to write it.

A better story about Gender for our Children – Eleanor Dickson

How we help our children and young people navigate the complex challenges of life with regard to the gender agenda.

Afternoon seminars

Prayer – Sharon Dickens

How often have we heard a sermon or read a book on prayer that has challenged us to pray more? Yet, no matter the prayer plans we make the challenge somehow doesn’t move us to pray more regularly. All too often it’s a struggle to pray. Why are we not desperate to pray? We become self-reliant. All too often when we do pray it becomes more about us than God. How can we love to be desperate to pray and become dependent on God?

How to grow in Godliness – Karen Clark

Growing in godliness is what are supposed to do once we are saved but it’s not always easy!! Why should this be our life’s goal? How do we do it? And how do we not get discouraged and give up when it gets tough!

How to be a Christian Friend – Alison Watson and Rachel Sloan

How to develop friendships that build and encourage each other as we walk through real life together, each one as an integral part of the body of the church of Christ.

Morning and afternoon

Lies girls believe – Laura Porteous

The first seminar will focus on the lie that ‘God’s ways are too restrictive’ and the second seminar will focus on the lie that ‘If I’m not in a relationship or having sex then I’m missing out’.

One of our seminars has changed speaker. Below Karen Clark, from Edinburgh, updates us on what this seminar on ‘How to grow in godliness’ will cover.

What is the seminar about?
Growing in godliness is what are supposed to do once we are saved but it’s not always easy!! Why should this be our life’s goal? How do we do it? And how do we not get discouraged and give up when it gets tough!

Who is the seminar for?
Anyone!

Why is this area important?
I think as Christians we can get apathetic or discouraged in our striving to be like Christ.  We know we are saved and will one day be like him, but the process of being transformed into his likeness is a daily struggle. We are going to look at how our motivations, desires and our battle with sin can help us pursue the godly life God wants us to live while still here on earth.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?
Romans 8 is a favourite passage of mine and there will be so much to learn from Amy as she teaches and from one another as we try to apply help each other apply God’s word to our lives. Also love meeting sisters in Christ from churches around the country.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. We asked our speaker Amy Wicks to share more about what she will be speaking on. Amy will also be running a seminar “A Bird’s Eye View of Romans”.

What are you speaking about at the Scottish Women’s Convention and why?

I’ll be speaking on Romans 8. This is a great chapter of the Bible full of verses that you might be familiar with. When we get to grips with the whole chapter I think we learn some massive truths about the gospel that shape our understanding of what its like being a Christian here and now. It’s a chapter that I hope will shape our expectations for the Christian life in the mess of this world, and help us keep going until the end.

What is the title of your seminar at the Scottish Women’s Convention?  What is it about?

We’ll be looking at a Bird’s Eye View of Romans – trying to understand what the book of Romans is about as a whole and why Paul bothered to write it.

Why is this seminar topic important?

When you’re studying any book of the Bible its helpful to think about the message of the whole book, not just the individual chapters or paragraphs. Its especially helpful when it comes to application, helping us to think carefully about how God wants us to change in response to his word. So for the book of Romans, we’re going to be thinking about the purpose of Paul’s letter, and how that helps us to understand and apply each section. But I’m also hoping we’ll pick up some skills for doing the same with other Bible books that we go on to study.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Thursdays we want to give you an insight into the lives of some of the women involved in the Scottish Women’s Convention.  Some of these women are involved in full time ministry in the local Church, while others balance serving in the church with a secular job.

We sent various people a questionnaire asking them to give us a taste of what they do, the challenges they face and what they are looking forward to about the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention.

Meet Amy, our speaker…from Southgate, in North London

What area of ministry do you work in?

For the last 7 years I’ve been involved in women’s ministry with younger women in central London. However I’ve just moved and have started Bible College. I haven’t been to my new church yet, but I’m looking forward to getting to know them and working out how to serve there.

Give one great challenge and one great joy of working in gospel ministry?

I think the answer is probably the same – people. Its amazing to watch the Lord grow people and a privilege to walk alongside them as they get to know Jesus better and live for him more. But people are also a great challenge. There a massive disappointments and sadness when you see people walk away from the Lord or pursue something that you know is going to make it hard to stay Christian.

What one thing has the Lord been teaching you about yourself and himself in recent times?

The last few months have been marked by massive change – changing where I live, changing church, changing what I do, and who I spend my days with. I realised how secure I felt in my old setting and how extremely sad I was to leave it all. In the midst of it all, every talk I’ve heard recently, and every verse that friends have pointed me to, has been about God’s kindness, his goodness, his steadfastness and the need to keep going. So I’m trying to learn that he is good and faithful, and that what I need isn’t my old life back, but to know him better.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays, we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

Alison Watson and Rachel Sloan, from Edinburgh, will be a leading a seminar on how to be a good Christian friend.

What is the seminar about?

How to develop friendships that build and encourage each other as we walk through real life together, each one as an integral part of the body of the church of Christ.

Who is the seminar for?

Anyone who wants to grow in the depth of their friendships, who wants to grow in their ability to build up and encourage other members of their church body.

Why is this area important?

Real life is tough. We have real struggles, difficulties and challenges. For many of us, real life and church don’t quite connect. We smile on a Sunday morning while inside struggling to reconcile what is said from the pulpit with our daily lives. Church can be the one place where it is hardest to share the realities of our lives, our struggles and difficulties. One of the purposes of the church is to build each of us up until we are all mature in Christ so that we won’t be tossed about by the storms of life. The bible tells us that each of us has an important role in the church, in the maturing of one another.

How do we help one another to connect the gospel with the realities of our lives? What does that look like in practice? How do we help one another to share honestly, build up and encourage one another so that we do become the mature body of Christ our head?

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

Alison – Time to spend in God’s word, hearing what God has to teach us as women together.

Rachel – Seeing so many passionate about praising God and learning from his word is such a joy to see. Browsing the bookstall is something I always look forward to as well!

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays, we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

Sharon Dickens, from Niddrie in Edinburgh, will be leading a seminar on ‘Why are we not desperate to pray?’.

What is the seminar about?

How often have we heard a sermon or read a book on prayer that has challenged us to pray more? Yet, no matter the prayer plans we make the challenge somehow doesn’t move us to pray more regularly. All too often it’s a struggle to pray. Why are we not desperate to pray? We become self-reliant. All too often when we do pray it becomes more about us than God.

How can we love to be desperate to pray and become dependent on God?

Who is the seminar for?
Any and all Christians!

Why is this area important?

We can’t survive without God. Prayer is a necessary lifeline to an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. All too often we see it as an optional extra instead of an essential part of our relationship with God.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

Fellowship: Seeing people I haven’t seen for a while and catching up.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays, we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

Miriam Montgomery, from Edinburgh, will be a leading a seminar called Empty Cradle to Early Grave: Grief & Suffering in the Christian Life.

What is the seminar about?

The seminar will look at the place of grief and suffering in the Christian life. We will explore what different Biblical texts, from the psalms to the gospels, have to say on the subject. We will also discuss how the church, and individual Christians, can comfort those who are dealing with trials.

Who is the seminar for?

Anyone who has experienced grief and suffering, and also for those who would like to know how to better support others who are going through hard times.

Why is this area important?

Grief and suffering are inherent parts of our fallen world, but that doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. In fact, the universal nature of suffering can make many people question God’s existence, His power and His kindness. Yet the Bible has a strong message about God’s role in comforting and strengthening us through our trials, and its this message our seminar will be exploring.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

The sheer joy of seeing so many women come together to worship and learn more about the Lord. What an inspiration!

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays, we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

Eleanor Dickson, from Edinburgh, will be leading a seminar on A better story about Gender for our Children.

What is the seminar about? 

How we help our children and young people navigate the complex challenges of life with regard to the gender agenda.

Who is the seminar for?

Anyone who wants to help young people think through questions about gender in an age-appropriate, Biblical and hopeful way.

Why is this area important?

It is an area of huge confusion, Christians can feel threatened or paralysed.  It is current, difficult for Christians to speak about without seeming prejudiced while being a hugely important topic where Christians do have good news to share.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

Meeting old friends and making new ones.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets 

On Mondays, we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. For the next few weeks, we’ll be telling you a bit more about the range of Seminars that are on offer.

This year we are excited to announce that we will have a seminar stream aimed solely at teenage girls. In this stream, there will be a session in the morning and another in the afternoon. If you are signing up for this stream, please indicate that you are under 18 when purchasing your ticket.

Laura Porteous, from Glasgow, will be leading these seminars and has taken time to tell us more.

What is the title of the teenage stream at the Scottish Women’s Convention?

Lies girls believe and the truth that sets us free.  The first seminar will focus on the lie that ‘God’s ways are too restrictive’ and the second seminar will focus on the lie that ‘If I’m not in a relationship or having sex then I’m missing out’.

What is the seminar about?

Seminar 1 – It’s the oldest lie in the book, God is keeping good things from us. We’ll go back and see where it all began and think about how we’re still believing it before turning to the truth that God is abundantly generous and good.

Seminar 2 – In movies, the girl always gets the guy, in our childhood dreams we are always wearing the big white princess dress. We’ve been brought up to think that relationships are the be all and end all. We’ll look at where the bible tell us our worth comes from and remind ourselves of the better story, so much better than a fairytale.

Who is the seminar for?

Any teenage girls who come to the convention! Both seminars will be aimed at S3-S6. For girls prepared to get their noses stuck into their bibles and brains in gear to fight these lies and serious about being changed.

Why is this area important?

We are so surrounded by the world’s mistaken views that we often feel like it’s easier to just give in rather than go against the tide. We need to know and believe God’s truth to start battling the world’s lies so that it becomes our biggest weapon and the air we breathe.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?

Catching up with rarely seen friends over a cuppa. We’re all busy living our lives in different cities that it’ll be great to spend a day together, in one place where there’s enough time to chat and drink tea!

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets