Au revoir – MBC wishes Kate well as she and Howard set sail for a new life in France
After nine years working as MBC’s Administrator Kate Slater, and husband Howard will soon set sail to begin a new life in France.
Kate who besides having “a proper job” here at MBC has for as long as many of us can remember also been a part of umpteen volunteer projects including Barcaple with our Rock Solid teens, our worship group, playing starring roles in front of the 300 or so school children who attend our twice yearly Rewinds and leading prayer meditations.
As we send you our warmest wishes we say to you both thank you and bon voyage.
MBC marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an “inside if wet” street party
With enough sandwhiches, pies, pastries and cakes to feed a battalion of foot guards MBC celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an inside if wet street party.
Joining us around our giant E shaped table and in addition to many of our regular congregation were people from Beacon, Lunch Club, the Queenshill Gardeners, the super new flats development next door and even two of our local Community Support Police Officers
With John Hornby serving up a selection of unforgetable songs from throughout HM’s reign and a live feed to the BBC’s excellent padgent coverage on our big screens it really was a great way for our community to come together and celebrate such a momentous milestone.
So three cheers for Karen, Susan and everyone else who helped… your efforts really were appreciated.
Pentecost and Jubilee party – June 5th at MBC
It’s a big day tomorrow (JUNE 5th) at MBC. 11am in church and on YouTube we celebrate Pentecost and then from 1pm onwards it our Jubilee Party.
Oh and please remember there will be no Beacon Cafe on Monday June 6th.
Keeping you up to date with what our friends in Romania are doing to assist their Ukraine neighbours
This is a newsletter from our Manastur Church, with information about our projects among the Ukrainian refugees in Cluj and also in Ukraine. Please feel free to send, print and distribute it to your Moortown Baptist Church members. All this help we provided to Ukrainians was possible because of the faithfulness of generous and loving believers like you. Florin Fodor, on behalf of Manastur Church in Cluj. |
Everyone that is coming to the city of Refuge bring their personal experience, a dramatic story and trauma. When the Church become a city of refuge, things change and there we have a place of comfort, healing and transformation. This was our experience as Church in the last couple of months, receiving our Refugees brothers and sisters from Ukraine. We did our best to be a blessing to them and we experienced God’s blessings abundantly. We want to share with you the joy and encouragement from a new and surprising episode of our Church life. |
Jesus special visit to us |
On February 24 when Ukraine war started, we didn’t get the details of God’s plan. We simply realized that Jesus will pay a visit to us in a new special way and we will better be ready. With that in mind we had our shortest but most fruitful Church Board meeting – we opened everything we had as Church for Ukraine Refugees, including Church facilities, Camp site and Church apartment, plus our full support. A Refugee Team was appointed, an action plan and structure were settled the next day. We wondered how could we provide for all possible needs. God responded in just few days and Church Offering next Sunday was beyond any expectation. We were overwhelmed by the high number of people that opened their houses to host Ukrainian families, volunteered to provide clothes, food, transportation, translation or donate for this cause. We basically experienced God’s provision to start fulfill His plans. |
Ukrainian community in our Church |
We assisted over 300 Ukrainian Refugees since the war started. Some of them were brought by us by bus from South of Moldova. For some others we drove to the border to meet them. Some others contacted us by Telegram, Viber or simply called us. We hosted some of them for a night or two, for a week. We did heard from one lady that was in transit to Italy ““I NEVER experienced so much love in all my life. We want to be part of such a church, so please help us find one like yours in Italy”. We did see a lot of Ukrainians interested to stay here in our Church, hosted by our families and waiting for the war to stop and then return to Ukraine. Over the last month we had an average of 90-100 refugees that decided to stay. Currently we host 87 Ukrainians, of which 49 are Children. They are much more than a number, they became a Community, a Community of faith. We learned we may do a lot for them, but the best will be to help them become a Community. God sent here two pastors – Ivan and Oleg – from Dnieper and Cherkasy and Roman, a great evangelist from Mariupol. After that we got three Sunday School Teachers (Iryna, one of them is National Leader of the Children Ministry in Ukraine). After that we welcomed the Tutkyevich family – a complete musical professional family from Odessa. So, our Church worship is now Romanian and Ukrainian, not only as translation but also as input – Ukrainians are now a constant part of Church services – songs, messages, prayers and Ukrainian Classes Sunday School for Children. Now Roman and his team already shared the Gospel with over 100 Ukrainians in the City Canteen where a lot of unchurched Ukrainians go. They were also distributing Bibles, and Bible literature and some of the people he met, visited our church. |
How do we help Ukrainians? |
We provide help for Ukrainians in different ways:
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Projects for Ukrainians |
Creative workshop for Children |
We are so blessed to have over 49 Ukrainian children in our community, along with their families. We tried to hear their voices, understand their prayers and needs. Art is a good way to communicate in a trauma environment we helped them paint. Iurie Cojocaru, one of the best Christian Artists in Cluj, led us in this journey to Ukrainian kids’ hearts. It has been impressive to see great gifts but even more touching to see their prayers on canvas. “May the Lord have mercy on Ukraine” “God loves us very much” “Peace for Ukraine” “May the Lord protect Ukraine”. Simple but meaningful prayers through art. Marina, one adopted girl from Odessa drew “Ruins through my window” and one small girl from Mariupol painted “My house”. Few hours later they found out their apartment building was bombed again and is now a ruin. She and her family have no home to return back to Ukraine. All this experience helped us hear children’s hearts cry and see their hopes revived. It helped the parents discover the treasures in their kids. It has been a special moment that was a step in healing for kids and parents. We had a couple of hours when time stopped and joy refilled everyone. All artworks together built the image of a dove, the most suggestive symbol of the peace that the world and especially Ukraine are starving for. Retreat for Ukrainian friends |
We welcomed our special friends in our Church Camp site during Easter vacation – an amazing spot in the Carpathian mountains, one hour drive from Cluj. Fresh air, tasty Romanian food, great fellowship, inspiring stories, new relationships and bridges. We learned from pastor Oleg he was now losing his house in Cherkassy for the second time – first it was a dramatic burn and then his wife and kids were saved in a miraculous way. God was faithful and his house was rebuilt and was even nicer. He left the house two months ago but he trust the Lord is now and forever faithful Roman is a passionate and active evangelist from Mariupol. In our retreat he shared how he learned to be thankful even when he got the sad news – his block was hit twice by Russian rockets, the second time the structure was compromised. His wife is expecting a baby in early July. God helped him to get a good job here and answered a prayer they had – to have a car to drive his family. The company where he works allowed him to use the car for his family too. Seeing Roman and Vera, his wife you will be surprised to see a smile and hear an encouraging word every time. Andrei is the only Ukrainian in the group that speaks Romanian. He got a good job in a local brand coffee shop chain and now he feels so blessed to be so much loved and appreciated. His friends back in Ukraine are amazed to see how God cares for him. Time stopped for a while but still not enough. An experience to be replicated soon:) Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine |
We learned that the most significant material needs are in Ukraine, especially the places we are not able to reach. We prayed and searched and God opened doors and we discovered great partner Churches in Chernivtsi that can get to war zones and provide food, medicines and personal goods to people that needed the most. We did one such transport in April and we plan the second transport this weekend. All materials are good quality, brand new as we know God deserves our best. Please pray and be ready to join us in this significant effort to show God’s love in a very tangible way. |
What’s next |
It is hard to predict how things will look like in a few months as most of the elements are out of our control. But we do plan to respond to significant needs in a more articulated way. All this projects will be developed along with our ongoing material, emotional and spiritual support Please join us in prayer and support for next projects:
Thank you so much for being such a committed prayer warrior and supporter of this Ministry to Ukrainian Refugees. We know we have a limited time so it is our prayer to be used by God to help, comfort and bring hope through Christ. |
An update from your Leadership Team and a reminder about our Jubilee Party
Hello everyone. I hope that you have had a peaceful week.
Church sessions have run well and have been well attended. Lunch Club members and team all went out for fish and chips last Wednesday and a good time was had by all. Pam Fieldings funeral was held on Thursday. Thanks to Haddon for leading and those who helped.
On Sunday coming we will follow the ‘I am’ theme again and specifically ‘the good shepherd’. John Ch10 v 1-18. I will be telling the children about shepherds in Jesus’ time and why Jesus called himself ‘the good shepherd’. Nathan will be speaking in church.
Thanks to Andy Berry leading the music team and Adam Argyle leading the Tech team. Matt Graham is doing the reading and Carol Owen the prayers. We are grateful for everyone who has offered to take part. If you would like to help do come and talk to us.
The third session with the Queenshill gardeners will be at church on Tuesday 31st. 10am -3pm. There will be a film, lunch and then activities that all are invited to. Links with our community are invaluable so do try to call in
The following weekend is part of our Jubilee celebrations and it is also Pentecost on that Sunday. John Sherbourne is leading the worship.
Following the Pentecost service we need help to set out the tables and chairs for our big car park party. If the weather is bad it will be in the Sanctuary. We will also be screening the live festival from London. Everyone is welcome to join us at 1 – 4pm. Church is providing sandwiches, from a local caterer, some cakes/ scones and ice creams. It’s free to come and join in the fun and fellowship. The only thing we ask is you bring something for the table to share with others. Crisp, biscuits, fruit, vegetable sticks, pies, quiche, cakes etc. anything that can be easily eaten with fingers. Please ensure it is prepared, cut up and ready to put straight onto the tables. Label any plates or bowls you need returning. Dress in red, white and blue to celebrate the Jubilee as we wish her Majesty well for her long service.
Please be assured that the Deaconate is working as quickly as possible to put in a meeting for members to discuss the future. We do need and want your input. We are being stretched at present as we try to deal with everything due to various circumstances. Some of the LT have pressing work commitments. Two are away on sick leave. Others are running weekly events.
There are a number of things we are trying to deal with, including recruiting a new admin assistant and ensuring a written hand over is available especially on the H&S side.
Pastorally we need, along with the pastoral team, to ensure that people are covered as we have had a number of new people joining us and certain needs in the membership to consider.
Not excuses just by way of explanation!
If anyone feels able to support us please let us know.
Karen, Geoff, Paddy, Zac, Phil, Diane and John
May 29th – The Good Shepherd. 11am in church and on YouTube
The Good Shepherd. Sunday May 29th – 11am in church and on our YouTube chanel.
And don’t forget next Sunday afternoon (June 5th) is not only Pentecost but the day we will be celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the MBC carpark.
Be Filled and Flow, from Jane Coates
In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and as a result, believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, the One promised by Christ, as owned, and protected by God. The Spirit is the guarantee, the first instalment, the pledge, a foretaste of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own purchased possession, His believers, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1 v 13-14 AMP
Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him. Ephesians 5 v 18
Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians from his prison cell in Rome in about AD 60. Ephesus was a very large, influential, and cosmopolitan city in what is Turkey today, and was the centre of worship for the Goddess Artemis. In writing to the Ephesians, Paul was seeking to give clear guidance and teaching to Christians as to who they were in Christ and how they should live. Christians were under great pressure from the influences of their surrounding cultures. Greek culture at the time, included pagan gatherings called symposiums which often involved a lot of drinking in addition to their discussions and gatherings, and Paul would have been very familiar with these kinds of drinking parties. He wanted to warn the Ephesians against joining in with this style of gathering, which could often lead to excesses and so he encourages them to be filled, to be continually, constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted to show that the filling and flow of the Holy Spirit would lead to change, give a greater self-awareness and self-control not less, and an enhanced performance not reduced effectiveness. The filling and flowing were to be continuous. As God’s love flows into every part of our being, it is intended to flow out, fully, and freely to others around us and in our sphere of influence.
“Let love in and let it out. You are destined to be a channel for God to flow through and not a reservoir that merely sits and collects things. You are special and God has special plans for you.” Joyce Meyer
I remember listening to a talk by Joel Holm, United Christian Broadcasters entitled The Fluence Principle and he used the scientific principles of ‘flow’ using the key words of fluence, affluence, influence, and confluence. He asked his Christian listeners to evaluate their ‘fluence factor.’ He was referring to fluence being our outward ‘flow’ of Christian love and care. Affluence being God’s abundant, generous supply and flow of love and grace to us and through us. Influence was that love flowing out, the direction of that flow, and who we shared that love with. Who is in my sphere of influence? Confluence was about flowing together and delighting to work with others. As a church and teams, we can be compelling forces with greater influence as we work together.
The Holy Spirit is God’s mark on our life, His blessing and grace, His transformation energy, which we should not hold tightly to ourselves. His love and grace are to flow out for others.
A Prayer
Just as the owner’s seal is pressed into soft wax as a sign of ownership, I ask for your Holy Spirit to make His mark on my heart and my life.
May my life reflect His love and may that love be evident to those around me and in my sphere of influence.
As MBC, may we delight to join together and work for your kingdom here.
Charles Wesley Hymn
1 GRACIOUS Spirit, dwell with me!
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal;
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.
2 Truthful Spirit, dwell with me!
I myself would truthful be,
And with wisdom kind and clear
Let thy life in mine appear;
And with actions brotherly
Speak my Lord’s sincerity.
22 May – Communion Service 11am in church and on YouTube
Join us at 11am this morning (22 May) as we celebrate Communion together. That’s both in church and on our YouTube chanel.
Another terrific effort as Jenny and her team push our Ukraine Support Fund to over £12,500
At 1pm MBC’s Ukraine Support Fund stood at a little over £11.500 Three hours later that total has risen by a magnificent £1,363.
Once again, in what’s proves year by year to be one of our most succesful fundraisers our annual plant sale didn’t disappoint.
Besides scores of plants – everything from apple mint to sunflowers – the kitchen crew contributed almost £200 whilst a table of hand made craft more than held its own.
The few plants that are left will be available to buy following Sunday’s communion service and for Beacon regulars it looks as if Monday’s session will have a selection of real goodies on offer.
Many thanks to Jenny, Nicky and the rest of the team. Planning, setting up, tending the tables, “manning” the kitchen, taking the cash and in particular tidying away are not east tasks.
But extra special thanks to eveyone who grew and donated plants, without you none of this would have been possible.