Turning history into folk songs

On 7 March we welcomed Gareth Davies-Jones and his daughter Bronnie for a music workshop and gig. We had a hugely enjoyable afternoon of storytelling and music making that resulted in a new song that tells the story of Amott Road Baptist Church.

A good, creative group of people gathered in the afternoon with copies of our church history. We highlighted the key points that should be captured in the song and then split up into two groups to write a verse each covering a few decades of history.

Running alongside the workshop was an exhibition of pictures from the church’s 150 year story and copies of the history produced by Stuart Murray Williams.

To everyone’s surprise, within two hours we had a song with a good tune, punchy verses, and a singable chorus, a song we all performed in the evening and the following morning.

Then in the evening Gareth showcased songs from his forthcoming album that arose out of a pilgrimage along the St Cuthbert Way in the North East of England. And Bronnie regaled us with songs of strong women from her collection called Howay the Lasses. It was a great evening.

All the music from the gig is available at Gareth’s website, www.garethdavies-jones.com. His music is well worth checking out and we are sure he will return soon.

Music-making in progress

Peaceful Borders 10th anniversary celebration

Juliet Kilpin, co-founder of Peaceful Borders writes:

We had a wonderful celebration of 10 years of Peaceful Borders on Saturday 24 January. We enjoyed stories, conversations, music, a photographic exhibition, and amazing home-cooked Syrian, Sudanese and Iranian food. The children created their own exhibition too! Amott Road Baptist Church hosted us wonderfully.

It was a rare occasion when our whole extended team was together, with many of our family members who have supported us along the way - Simon, myself, Samer, Ali, Mautasim and Joseph and Rachel from the Calais house. It was beautiful to see everyone making new connections.

We launched our 2025 Annual Report which you can view here. And there is a summary A4 sheet here.

This event also hoped to raise funds and various people donated via the website. Some pledged to share the Annual Report with potential funders who may have a mission/outreach/charity budget line they can put Peaceful Borders in! Perhaps others of you can do the same? We currently only have funds to employ Samer, Ali and Mautasim until the summer... and as you can see from the report, they are a small but mighty team who do way more than we are able to pay them for.

Light of Epiphany: Matthew 2:1-12

‘Thought for the Day’ Sunday 4th January summary:

Epiphany is all about light that guides and prompts action, rather than mere decoration. Matthew’s gospel tells the story of the Magi, who represent outsiders noticing and following the star that leads them to Jesus, and illustrates the importance of paying attention to what truly matters in life. (Rutger Bregman’s book ‘Moral Ambition’ was also referred to.)

5 points on a star - we’ll look at 5 elements of this story and what it can teach us:

1. Noticing the light: The Magi's long-term observation prepares them to see the star, emphasising that the key is whether we are attentive to the light in our own lives.

⏸️ Question: What does ‘aiming your life toward what matters’ look like for you right now—at whatever stage of life you are at, and at the start of this new year? Take a couple of minutes to consider this.

2. Following the light: The Magi act on their insight, wisdom and experience, leaving behind comfort to seek truth, contrasting their ambition for truth with Herod's ambition for control.

3. Bringing our gifts into the light: The Magi offer diverse gifts to Jesus, reminding us that we should bring what we have, regardless of its nature or significance.

⏸️ Question: What is one gift—experience, skill, perspective, or even hard-earned wisdom—that you bring right now?

4. Seeing clearly: The Magi’s encounter with Jesus sharpens their perspective, leading them to act with integrity and refuse to return to Herod, highlighting that moral ambition often manifests quietly. Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” The movement to abolish the slave trade began in the 17th century, with just 12 British Quakers.

5. Going home by another road: The Magi's choice to return home differently symbolises the transformative power of recognising and following the true light of Christ in our lives. 

⏸️ What might taking/ travelling ‘a different road’ look like for you this week—is there a small shift in attitude, attention, or action that you can make?

From Dusk to Dawn exhibition

On Saturday 13 December, our church hall was transformed as we hosted an art exhibition and community café for our friends, Althea and Sasha, who created this event to launch their Amalgam8 project. Nearly 70 people enjoyed the art, a number of craft stalls, home-made food and some live music. We had invested in some flexible display boards for the event and we look forward to using these for further community events. Althea and Sasha are already planning some of these. It was really good also to see how the kitchen we installed last year could operate as a community café.

Our next community event is on Saturday 24 January, when we will be hosting an event to mark the 10th anniversary of our partners, Peaceful Borders, as they reflect on ten years supporting refugees in Calais and across the UK. The display boards will be in use again as we host an exhibition of powerful photographs taken by Juliet Kilpin in what was known as ‘the jungle’ in Calais.

Photo by Alex Abimbola

Community Sponsorship

Through working together as a church, and by connecting with folk locally, our small church was able to partner with Robes to help run the Winter Nightshelter - perhaps there are other projects that we can work with others on to bring and be good news? One of these might be the 'Communities for Afghans' programme.

In response to humanitarian crisis and increased need, the 'Communities for Afghans' programme is a partnership between Citizens UK and the British Government to build a community led pathway for families fleeing Afghanistan to be supported to settle into our communities.

'Communities for Afghans' are looking for people who are ready to play a significant role in this programme over the next two years, which will include:

1. Recruiting a small team of at least 6 people committed to offering a warm welcome to an Afghan refugee family in your community for the next two years;

2. Helping to identify and secure a property to house the family (it needs to have its own front door and be of good quality);

3. Supporting the family to access benefits and public services, and move towards sustainable employment.

You can find out more here: Communities for Afghans

There will also be information evenings on the following dates:

Weds 12th Feb, 16.30-17.30

Tues 25th Feb, 15.00-16.00

Mon 10th March, 17.30-18.30

Get more information and register here: Information Evenings for an online event. We are thinking of having an in-person event at Amott Road, get in touch if you would be interested in coming along!

Thursday 28th March - Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage

On Maundy Thursday 28th March, join us for a walk of solidarity with the people of Gaza as we call for an enduring ceasefire, for immediate humanitarian aid, for release of all hostages (both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas – and the Palestinian hostages held in the Israeli prisons), and an end to occupation so that a just-peace can begin.

We are doing this prayerful walk as part of the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage, a network of autonomous Christians groups with shared convictions who are engaging in a prayerful show of solidarity in cities around the world, where people during Lent will walk the length of the Gaza strip.

Starting from Peckham Rye, we will be walking prayerfully the length of Gaza (41km). Join us for all of the pilgrimage, or along the way for a section of it. We will be stopping for water/ comfort breaks/ prayer and rest along the way.

We ask that people joining the pilgrimage commit to the follow 8 convictions to be found here: https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/core-convictions

More information here: https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/

There is also a FB page with more information on the route and stopping places. This will be updated regularly. https://fb.me/e/4Ng6uiX0Y

Our community prayer for 2024

On Sunday 21 January, as part of our church gathering we said the following prayer together. This prayer articulates our values around following Jesus, practicing peacemaking, celebrating creativity and working for justice. It was a real privilege to join in this prayer, committing to journeying together alongside others, supporting and encouraging each other as we follow Jesus and seek the kingdom of God in our neighbourhoods in 2024.

Encountering the Anabaptists

At Amott Road Baptist Church we are inspired by the story of the early Anabaptists. If you would like to learn more about these radical Christians, their theology and how we might draw on this tradition for today, this course starting on Wednesday 1st November is just for you!

4 Wednesdays in November: 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, from 7pm - 9pm.

For more information contact: anabaptist@bristol-baptist.ac.uk