Dear friends
A big thank you to the Leadership Team and to you all for your prayers, messages and words last Sunday. It meant a lot to me and my family. It is a privilege to be on this journey with you and I ask and thank God every day for his guidance and love as we share what Jesus has shared with us at Moortown and beyond. This weekend there has been a lot of preparation going into our Sunday service on ‘What is it about Psalm 23?’ and I have loved hearing what it means to some of you. On Sunday, I run the Amsterdam marathon for the Roy Castle lung Cancer Foundation then next week I go to the Yorkshire Baptist ministers conference for two days to hear and pray for the churches across Yorkshire but you will be in my prayers. I look forward to seeing you over the week.
Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of things going on including Harvest festival, church meeting and AGM, mission group, the deacons away day, buildings, health and safety and website meetings and hosting the Love Leeds project with the Moortown and Meanwood community and Leeds City Council on Thursday. Thanks to those who helped sort and distribute our harvest gifts. This is alongside our weekly groups including housegroups, bible studies, open space drop in cafes, under 5’s groups, youth, and children’s groups, services and visiting to name just a few. Do keep praying for the spaces and people we welcome and connect with as church.
This week, lunch club enjoyed a musical feast as well as some great food, with music performed by some of church family. This was followed by a Wednesday Worship service focusing on the psalms where Rachel asked people to share what their favourite psalm was and why.
If you want to find out more about whats been happening, do follow the link at Moortown Baptist Church – Loving God, living generously, following Christ.
If you want to find out more about Love Leeds then follow this link Love Leeds | Leeds.gov.uk There will be a follow up meeting in a couple of weeks to make a shared plan with members of the council and our community about what we are going to do together and how we can support each other in different ways. We’ll share more over the next week or so. Thanks to those who came along to share ideas and get to know others in the community better. We had some good conversations with people who had been in the church building a long time ago and this was there first time back in a while.
Last Sunday we welcomed Leeds Vineyard church during the afternoon as they held a baptism service. Thanks to those who helped host, get the baptistry ready and lead on tech for the afternoon. Alex Harbour, the assistant minister at Leeds Vineyard passes on his grateful thanks for the wonderful way they were welcomed and Vineyard church has given a kind donation towards the work at MBC.
This week…
Sunday 18th October Church service with younger group following the same theme. We’ll share communion together 11.00am. Psalm part 4: What is it about psalm 23?
Sunday 18th October Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building
Monday 19th October Beacon Café and warm welcome space 10.00 – 12.00 midday with food pantry available.
Tuesday 20th October Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers. 10.00 – 11.30am. All welcome.
Tuesday 20th October Bible study in the music room – 12.30 -2.30 Please check with Howard, Lesley or Shelley if you want more information.
Tuesday 20th October Alwoodley Community forum meets next door at the Ziff centre. We are part of this group and will be sharing what we have planned and what people can come to with partners across Alwoodley ward.
Wednesday 21st October Lunch Club 10.00 – 1.30. Talk to Rachel B, Lesley, Shelley for more information, if you want to join or help.
Wednesday 21st October Bible study in the music room and on zoom at 7.30pm. Talk to Andy, Ruth or Shelley. All welcome.
Wednesday 21st October House group in the corner room at 7.30pm. See Diane S.
Thursday 22nd October Craft Group and warm welcome space 2.00 – 4.00pm ask for more information if you have questions or see Karen.
Thursday 22nd October Bible Study in the music room 7.00 – 9.00pm Talk to Gareth, John C, Lesley or Shelley
Friday 23rd October Bible study in music room 10.00 – 11.30am Talk to Shelley for more information
Friday 23rd October Friday night house group in Adel. See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen, or ask Shelley or Lesley for more information.
Friday 23rd October Parkinson’s Exercise Class in the sports hall 6.30 – 7.30pm. See Phil or ask Lesley or Shelley.
Sunday 25th October Psalms Part 5: being a disciple in the psalms
It’s the Craft Fair on Saturday 31st October 10.30-2.30pm with money going towards a girls refuge in Sri Lanka. Please talk to Krys for more information. Do bring your friends or just come along, beautiful hand made crafts, get ready for Christmas!
Sunday 1st November Café church Psalms part 6: worship in the psalms
Sunday 1st November Rock Solid Youth Group 7-8pm in the church building. Positive pumpkin party night!
Sunday 8th November Remembrance Sunday service Psalms part 7: remembering in the psalms
The next Psalms art group takes place at 7pm in the sports hall on November 4th. See Krys or Cas for more information or just turn up.
We’ll be having out next get to know you lunch on 8th November after the service. If you feel new to MBC or know someone who does then do let Mandy or Claire know and you’d be very welcome to come to lunch and get to know a few more people and a bit more about the who the church is.
Next church meeting is November 10th 7.30pm. Look forward to seeing you there! Sharing thoughts including Christmas!
Its half term week the week of Saturday 24th October so there will be a few changes to our usual activities. Stepping Stones, Lunch club, craft group warm space and youth group on the 25th October will pause but Beacon will happen as usual. Do check with Lesley or myself or the house group leaders about bible studies/housegroups that week. If you are a house group leader and you are pausing that week, can you let Lesley or myself know this week so that we can let people know if they ask, please?
Do pray for the trustees, staff and volunteers at the Leeds Furniture Mission (previously Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store) who have their 40 year celebration on Tuesday night!
If you are interested in baptism, membership, joining a group or anything else then do get in touch with myself, Lesley, a deacon, a leader of a group or someone you feel comfortable asking and we can chat or point you in the right direction.
In Christ
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
Moortown Baptist Church