Month: July 2023
A lovely send off for Gwen Bucktrout
Gwen Bucktrout who died last month at the age of 99 would have loved her funeral. It all started at 10am with family and friends gathering at MBC to hear tributes to this lovely lady from our own Shelley Dring and from Ted Britton.
Then for 11.30am the guests moved on to Lawnswood where the lady herself was awaiting them. As Ted Britton said during his eulogy… “that was typical of Gwen, always wanted to be involved but never the centre of attention.”
At the crem the music choice was brilliant; Matt Monro singing Portrait of my Love, Some Enchanted Evening played by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and finally Eric and Ernie singing Bring me Sunshine.
The final port of call was The Lawnswood Arms where once again over the sandwhiches the conversation all revolved around Gwen.
Thank you Gwen for a life well lived, thank you for your friendship and thank you for bringing sunshine into our lives.
2 July – Shelley’s news
Dear friends
Its July already! First Sunday in the month means its café church tomorrow at 11am in the building and online on our youtube channel. Come along and have a drink, some breakfast pastries, fruit and treats. Over the next 2 weeks we’ll be continuing our series ‘Be transformed’, looking at how our minds are renewed through God’s spirit and how God helps us to see things differently. Last week Robert shared with us about having peace in a storm, the week before Nathan shared how God works through our weaknesses because our weakness is an invitation to receiving God’s strength. Tomorrow Shelley will look at practicing thankfulness based on 2 Timothy 1:3-11. There’ll be things for all ages.
I’d like to remind you that our wellbeing morning is only a week away. If you were thinking of coming along, here are a few things that might help you decide…
Who is it for? Often those who look out for others, whether it be their family or friends or in a team at church are the last people to prioritise themselves. This is a time for anyone, male or female, to have some space and pick up some tools on how best to prioritise self-care. If you have counted yourself out then do come along, its only 10 o’ clock until 1.30pm and it will include a free lunch on Saturday 8th July in the church building. If you know you are coming it would be helpful to let us know so that we can best cater for food. More information from Jane Coates, Mandy Russell or Shelley Dring. It should be a refreshing morning together.
On the 18th July we’ll be holding a church meeting at 7.30pm in the building with a special focus on safeguarding awareness. Our Designated leads for safeguarding, Jonathan Darling and Lindsey King, will be guiding us through what safeguarding at Moortown Baptist Church looks like and how and where you can get support and what you need to be aware of. It’s especially important for those involved in groups. There will be no lengthy chunks of words to read through as they’ll be introducing the key bits to remember in a conversational way. This will last for no longer than one hour. After that we will have a short church meeting for half an hour with updates on anything we may need to discuss. If you would like to raise anything, then do let Lesley know in the next two weeks. We’ll put in another meeting date soon so that we can keep updated and follow things up.
On the 19th July at 1.30 there will be another Wednesday worship in the church building. All are welcome, do bring your friends. Talk to Rachel Beedle if you have any thoughts, questions.
On the 22nd July we have our Prayer Day. The church will be open from 1pm until 9pm on this day with space to prayer and be quiet as well as opportunities to pray in a more practical or creative way if you so choose. This will include art, songs, music, video and movement. There will be refreshments available and at 5 o clock opportunity to share food. Its designed for all ages. Some activities will have certain time slots so we’ll let you know when they are. Do pray before the day and if you have anything you would like to share either a reading, a prayer for the church, a song or an activity for example and you know it on advance then do let Krys Gadd, Adam, Ruth Berry, Andy Berry, Mandy or myself know. If you are not in the building in the day you are also encouraged to pray throughout the day remotely and share what God is saying. Also, every night in July until the 22nd July, there is a prayer whats app group that meets so you can join at anytime to pray at 9pm for no more than 10 minutes about the day, the church and our communities. You don’t have to say anything aloud, although it can be great to speak out in prayer, you can just accept the call and pray long with others or read a scripture or the words of a song.
Other things…
Beacon café at 10-12 every Monday in the building (open to all, free, come for a chat and a warm welcome, bring your friends)
Stepping stones for under 5’s and their carers on Tuesday 10-11.30am.
Warm welcome craft group on Thursdays 2-4pm in the building.
For housegroups in the building see Shelley, ask Lesley or have a look at the church diary. For other housegroups do get in touch with me.
Bible in a year continues at 7pm in the church building with refreshments on Thursday evenings. If you haven’t been yet and you’d like to come along then you’d be very welcome. Coming to just one session is fine too. It starts at 7pm. See Gareth Gadd or Lesley if you want more information.
On 21 July there will be a reflection and discussion based on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s letter of 21 July 1944 at 7.15pm in the church building with refreshments. On 21 July 1944, the plot to kill Hitler failed, and Bonhoeffer knew immediately that some of his companions in the resistance were already dead, and he and others were in even more danger. He wrote a remarkable letter from his prison cell to his friend Eberhard Bethge. It says a lot about being human, and being Christian, in real life. Introduced by Haddon Wilmer on why he finds the letter both instructive and inspiring. Fir more details see www.networkleeds.com/events/final-note
Saturday 7th October 10-1.30pm in the church building. Loss, grief, and bereavement course led by Care for the family www.careforthefamily.org.uk for all those who would like help to support others going through loss. Limited places available so please book in with Jane Coates or Lesley in the office. The church have offered to pay the fee for the training and bookings are now open. Lunch will be provided.
You may have noticed a number of local events going on as part of the culture 2023 festival taking place in Leeds this year. See www.leeds2023.co.uk Its not a faith-based celebration but it’s a great way to bring community together through arts and culture. Each ward in the city is having its own celebrations planned by volunteers so each is different. On 9th July, Alwoodley ward have their day with activities across the ward mainly based around sport. Do have a look on the website under ‘whats on’. There’ll be a special evening for children and young people across the city on 14th July at Roundhay Park.
Simon, the community and outreach worker at Leeds Jewish Housing Association has invited us to their 70th birthday party celebrations. I’ve attached a flyer. He also wants to make us aware that there will be a road closure from one of the entrances to the Stonegate Way car park to just near 45 Queenshill Avenue in the afternoon. It won’t affect getting to church in the morning as its only in the afternoon but very local residents may want to be aware.
Some recent conferences have made their talks available to listen to. Here are a couple of you might be interested in…
The Baptist Assembly Conference (took place June 2023) Click on the link below.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain : Videos from Assembly
The Alpha Leadership Conference (took place in May 2023)
“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
See you soon
Blessing
Shelley