On Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd of September we will be welcoming Pastor Ken Benjamin to MBC. Ken who is Minister at Chichester Baptist Church will, between 2019 and 2020 serve as the President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. 

Having recently led a large church through a programme which looked at new ways of addressing mission and discipleship Ken will spend the Saturday morning (10am to 12.30pm – coffee and croissants from 9.30) )leading a number of seminars and discussions designed to support leaders from both our church and other local fellowships.

On Sunday morning he will be preaching on the title you see in our headline: Where do we grow from here?

As growth and diversity are two of the prime elements driving MBC’s ongoing debate about change there is an open invitation to everyone to come along to attend on Saturday, Sunday or both.  

Six years after taking over the role of MBC’s Children’s Worker Cas Stoodley has moved on to pastures new: well, she has and she hasn’t. Yes Cas has stepped down from paid employment here at Moortown but she’s certainly not leaving us.

In a number of ways you could say that in terms of mastering lots of new skills Cas’ new job, at Meanwood Church of England Primary School, isn’t a million miles away from her old one: particularly so as MBC’s links with the school go back many years through our Rewind to Christmas and Easter projects. One big difference, however, will be that this Christmas when sixty or so of Meanwood’s C of E’s Year 4 pupils hike up Stonegate Road Mrs Stoodley, not Cas, will be walking with them rather than waiting to greet them. 

As Cas was joined at the front of church by an army of people who in one way or another had been a part of one her teams she was presented with a number of gifts. But as Graham was quick to point out it was typical of her to quickly turn the occasion on its head and after sharing a favourite poem to pray for the church and a smooth transition. 

God bless you Cas. From all of us, young and old alike thank you for everything. 

If you Google The Wine Society, and on its excellent website search for the year 1948 you’ll be surprised by just how many different wines are still available to buy. The one I fancy most is a Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec, Domaine Heut. Why? Because according to the blurb it’s: “Almost tawny in colour, with copper highlights, but very much alive on the palate, with a refreshing pithy citrus note, long and fine on the finish. That life-giving acidity and concentration make for a cheeseboard treat. Some harmless sediment.“ Sadly, though, you will also see that seven decades after the Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Secgrapes’ grapes were harvested a 75cl bottle will cost you £245.00, or if you’ve really got a thirst £2,940.00 for a case of 12. 

However, I’m glad to say there was no such extravagance on show when six of MBC congregation recently got together to celebrate their seventieth birthdays. Okay, so you could argue that six birthdays (there were more who couldn’t make it) in one year is nothing special… equally you could argue any excuse for a party!  

Hosted by Karen and Dave Newell the Saturday evening soiree fulfilled every requirement for such a bespoke guest list: a start time which meant you weren’t eating too late, a finish time which meant you were home well before anyone in their teens had even set out and a beautifully balanced selection of food and drink which meant that no matter what medication you were on you didn’t need a supper. 

The picture above shows the actual 1948 gang, left to right Nicky Gibb, Karen Newell, Jean Carlisle, Karen Ross, John Sherbourne and Mary Grayson whilst the one below includes partners who have either just passed or are approaching this significant milestone. These are: Gwynneth Sherbourne, Dave Newell and Michael Grayson. 

Please sign up via this link on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wisdom-on-the-way-tickets-47996130719?invite=&err=29&referrer=&discount=&affiliate=&eventpassword=

This autumn New Wine are holding two very special events. The first is on Saturday 13th October at Liverpool Cathedral and that’s a Men’s Day. The second, a Women’s Day takes place two weeks later that’s on October the 27th at Cathedral House in Huddersfield. 

For more details speak with Richard Thompson or visit https://www.new-wine.org/events

During our break Beacon Cast-Offs, our knitting and crochet group celebrated their first birthday in style!  There was a lovely caterpillar birthday cake (provided by Janis) and lots of other goodies. Co-ordinated by Susan Hartley and helped by Janis Armstrong, Kate Slater and Sue Gladman the Cast-Offs plan to meet on a monthly basis in addition to our group running at the Monday morning Beacon Wellbeing Cafe.

The Cast-Offs have joined forces with Hookers and Clickers (do it for charity) a local group who adopt a different charity every four months. We have embarked on making items for various charities and for the next four months are making cot size and bed size blankets, baby hats and mittens and hats, scarves and mittens for children up to teenage. These items will be sent to an orphanage in the Ukraine for ‘Orphan Smiles’.

Our next get-together takes place between 10am and 3pm in the Music Room here at MBC on Saturday 22 September. If anyone is interested in helping us in our endeavors, please speak to Janis or Kate, look either group up on Facebook or just turn up on the day.