150th Anniversary 1871 - 2021
And ....another fifty years 1971 - 2021
Compiled by Frances H Brown and Liz Hardy
When Mildred Pogson wrote ``Fifty Years On'', the follow-up to Nathan Haigh's history of Scapegoat Hill Baptist Church, she began by quoting the words that closed his original book. This seems a fitting way to begin this edition, which is being written after fifty more years have passed. So, these are the words which Mildred closed her book with: -
"Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
How well have we run the race? Have we kept our eyes on Jesus, our Saviour? Are we still carrying the torch of faith lit by those faithful founders back in the 19th century?
It would seem that we can only echo Mildred's sad reflections on the state of the church in the world in 1971. Very little has changed from her despondent summary, "We have to report dwindling congregations; a falling off in Church membership; a seemingly lack of interest in spiritual things ...... ". We can only add to this that we now have a lack of children and young people in the churches of this land, reflected in our own chapel here. at Scapegoat Hill. For the majority, Sunday has become just another day in the weekend, a day for fitting in more activities or sometimes the opposite -doing nothing at all. We are in an age where people definitely "do what is right in their own eyes".
Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since the 1970's when the first single-chip microprocessor was developed, leading to the personal computer revolution. We now have instant global connection through the World Wide Web which Sir Tim Berners-Lee introduced in 1990, accessible not just on computers but on personal smart phones.
News is instantly available from all corners of the globe; music and entertainment is not just restricted to concert halls and cinemas; we now have streaming new releases of films and live sport; Parliament can be watched `live'; even the Royal Family participates in these modern methods of communication. In the Covid pandemic of 2020- 2021 it has been possible to put this technology to good use while restrictions have limited travel and enforced physical separation. Churches have embraced new ways to worship together: `Zoom' services and on-line communication; socially distanced outdoor services; strictly regulated and limited indoor gatherings.
Even though technology has been helpful and positive in many ways, it has also meant that those not able to participate have potentially become more isolated and detached from what might have been their only social contact. Can we say truthfully that the church universal has tried to address this? Is this a wake-up call to look inward, and see if complacency and insularity has crept into what should be places that welcome and support those who have not accepted the grace that Christ offers?
However, we should not be deterred from looking forward with optimism and determination to a better future, as we hopefully return to a more `normal' way of life. We can still put all our hope and confidence in the Lord Jesus who, "is the same yesterday, today and forever". Our purpose is still to faithfully spread the gospel message, sharing the hope and assurance that we have in our Saviour with those who are blindly searching for `something better'.
As we look back we can see that some events continued to be part of the church calendar until quite recently. The Whitsuntide `walk of witness' is one example. Although it had gone from a full weekend event to Sunday only, the church was still to be seen following the band round the villages of Scapegoat Hill and Nettleton Hill, with pauses to sing and give messages of witness. An ageing congregation and lack of children and young people has meant that this does not take place at the moment. But who knows - we are hopeful for the future, and this may once again be possible in days to come?
Something that has not changed is the gathering to meet in home groups for Bible Study and prayer. Before the church was formed this was the usual practice in order to learn and to have fellowship together. Different groups have met on alternative evenings of the week and in varied locations so that there is opportunity for everyone to take part in these gatherings.
Many other gatherings have also been held for the. adults over the years, all with their own activities but times of coming together for concerts and other events. The men had their own meetings, culminating in the Men's Weekend, when they served the ladies a beautiful meal, entertained us with a concert, (who can forget `If I were not upon the stage'!) and the following day led the Sunday Services. These sadly ended in the late 1980's. Another annual event which has disappeared from the calendar is the Gift Weekend, which was a central feature of the church year.
The ladies occupied themselves with groups such as the Women's Missionary Association; Bright Hour; Ladies Fellowship. There was also a Tuesday Group for men and ladies which included some nice meals out locally. `Knit & Natter' has been the latest afternoon group, again for both men and women. For a short time there was even a `Zumba' group that utilised the space downstairs!
Over the years there have been many fundraising events, both for the church and for BMS and other world disasters. These would normally take the form of social evenings or dances. One memorable example was the `French Evening' arranged by Laraine Taylor and Judith Hollingworth to raise funds for BMS. Every summer Margaret and Selwyn France would open their home and garden for the `summer fete' with stalls and even dancing in the garage.
Not all joint activities take place `on site'. In 2015 a number of the congregation took place in a charity `head shave' to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice. This was in support of one of the church members, Jill Moorhouse, who had terminal cancer at that time. A goodly sum of money was raised with that and other fund-raising which took place at UCHM
To be continued..........