Upcoming training events

Greetings from Prospects Across Scotland!

We wanted to let you know of some upcoming online training sessions – perhaps what you might need be needing as you look at the year ahead? We would be grateful if you could share these dates with anyone who might benefit.

We have two dates for our popular ‘Autism in the Church Family’. This training comes out of real-life experience and will help you to understand autism, particularly in the context of church and faith. Come along if you are a parent, a friend, family member, church leader or member. They are identical sessions, so just choose the date which suits you best. This costs £15 for a two-hour session and includes follow-up resources and training notes. There will be a short break and an opportunity to ask questions. The link will take you to Eventbrite for booking:

Monday 24^th February 7-9pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1228182610249?aff=oddtdtcreator

Monday 17^th March 7-9pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1228234395139?aff=oddtdtcreator

We also have two dates for ‘Building Communities of Hope – Worship for All’.  In this session we will learn about learning disabilities and what the Bible has to say, we will cover many practical issues and share ideas which could be incorporated into worship on a Sunday or used to hold fully inclusive services or celebrations. We have many years of experience of this in Prospects and look forward to sharing this unique and beautiful way of worshipping together.

Worship for All really is that! When we open up worship for people with learning disabilities, many others benefit too – children, new Christians, those who find traditional services difficult due to a variety of health issues or life stages – as one church leader said recently ‘That was the best service we’ve had in ages!’

Again, these are identical sessions. This session costs £12 but if you have booked onto ‘Autism in the Church Family’ you will be able to attend for just £5. Links to Eventbrite:

Monday 3^rd March 7-9pm:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-communities-of-belonging-worship-for-all-tickets-1228206160689?aff=oddtdtcreator

Monday March 24^th 7-9pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-communities-of-belonging-worship-for-all-tickets-1228238998909?aff=oddtdtcreator

We don’t want cost to be barrier so if anyone needs a 50% discount they should email me with the date of the course they wish to attend. No questions asked!

Finally, although these are online courses, we are always happy to come and offer in-person training to suit your church context, as well as to give talks, midweek or on Sundays. Please do get in touch and we would delighted to chat through what might suit you best.

Please read our brochure which will tell you more about us. PAS brochure

In Jesus

Hilary Lacroix, Mission Development Coordinator

Dingwall meeting

The Prospects group in Dingwall had an enjoyable evening of games, modelling their favourite foods and also praying for Prospects Across Scotland PAS).

February is the PAS Month of Prayer and we would value all prayers of support.

Pray for Highlands area, Orkney and Shetland (all week)

• Give thanks for answered prayer to Dingwall group’s last request and to all who prayed for it – God has sent a committed helper to the group
• Give thanks for the Inverness group’s enthusiasm and pray for God to continue to lead and guide them in His ways
• Pray on for Lerwick Friends of Jesus group that they continue to receive support from their church to enable them to bring the good news of the gospel to the group

Pray for Lothians area (all week)

• Pray for Breich Valley Friends of Jesus group as they seek more helpers to keep this special group running
• Pray for our safeguarding policies as we strive to keep vulnerable adults safe from harm

Pray for Glasgow and surrounding areas (all week)

• Give thanks for the Friendship Club at Kirkintilloch and all that is done to encourage and serve the young people there
• Pray for the Following Jesus group that they continue to thrive in their learning and love of Jesus
• Pray for the PAS Board meeting on 21^st January, that the Trustees would be in unity as they make decisions in accordance with God’s will

Pray for Aberdeen and Moray area (all week)

• Give thanks for the Celebration group and ask that God will help them in 2025 to reach out to others
• Give thanks for the dedicated leaders and helpers at Footprints in Buckie and for their amazing work being recognised by receiving The Kings Award for Voluntary Service
• Give thanks for all at the Lighthouse group in Buckie and ask God’s continued blessing on them as they meet to learn about Jesus

Edinburgh Central Group Christmas 2024

A joyous time as Edinburgh Central Group took part in their church’s Christmas service.  Enjoy.

Malcolm Kinnear

Malcolm Kinnear is a trustee of Prospects Across Scotland

Kick starting Thrive in ’25

Happy New Year to all.  We are feeling blessed to have had a really positive start to our fundraising campaign already and we are thankful to God for that.

Among many kind and generous donations, the Burntisland Guild presented us with a cheque for £2097.44. Fiona is presenting the cheque on behalf of the Guild to Linda, a leader at our Burntisland group and a trustee with Prospects.

Pray for PAS (all week)

• Pray that God would raise up a Treasurer for PAS to ensure the ongoing smooth running of finances
• Give thanks for PAS’ ongoing friendship with the Guild and for PAS speakers giving talks
• Give grateful thanks to God for all the funding that was raised in 2024 and ask a blessing on the fundraising efforts for 2025