Login

The Roaring Forties – Lunch Club step back in time

by
Dateline: MBC, Wednesday.
 
We had a forties day at Lunch Club today. John Hornby led a team of musicians and singers in a rousing collection of forties numbers – many from the days of World War II. 
 
Wilfred started the ball rolling with a couple of golden oldies, Shelley Dring delighted with a rendition of Acker Bilk’s million seller hit Stranger on the Shore on her clarinet, John entertained on his accordion and we even had a sixties moment with our very own Cliff Richard (Steve Scaife) singing The Young Ones and Travellin Light.
 
Finally ahead of some amazing poppy cup cakes John was back again to lead Claire Taylor and Kate Slater in some war time classics. 
 
All in all it was a wonderful day.
 

A Suggestion for Christmas from Haddon Willmer

by

Here is a book to give for Christmas. Buy it from Hive, (https://www.hive.co.uk), get it post-free, and support your local independent bookseller at the same time.

It is written for little children, so its words are few and simple, and the pictures pointed.   But don’t give it to a child. It is really for adults. We need it.

It is not a book for Christmas joy over beautiful things, though it is a thing of beauty. It is a book for deep reflection on the contemporary world, where there is no room at the inn, and Herod in modern guise slaughters babies in his ill-informed panic and desperate sense of entitlement.

Don’t read it, and don’t give it, without accepting the help of Aditya Chakrabortty –     https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/30/food-banks-childrens-books-britain-hungry-election. I am grateful he put me on to this book, and showed me its importance to adults, voters, and people accountable to God.

Many of us support food banks, and other charities like PAFRAS. Food banks were initially intended to give emergency help for exceptional needs. They are now a sign of what is ‘ the new normal’ for our society.

Give it for Christmas. Read it before Christmas and ask, so what shall I do differently? Or maybe, What shall I persist in doing ‘gainst all discouragements?  

For those with ears to hear, this untheological book announces the nearness of the kingdom of God, not as glib glad tidings of great joy and peace on earth, but God’s closeness hidden in the one word, Repent, the frightening call for a radical turn around. There is no way for us to get round that word, or leap over it, to get into the kingdom of God cheaply. God is not deceived.

Don’t read this book to little children. At the ending of Christmas Day, read it as adults together, while the tired children sleep happily cuddling their new toys.

Play, stay, study and pray (plus of course food glorious food)

by

Ben Powell has devised a brilliant plan to incorporate sport, bible study, prayer and food. However, for this to work Ben needs your help. Here’s Ben’s suggestions together with his contact details.

We are looking to build a group within the Church who might be interested in the following:

Structure:

– meeting to play some sport

– going back to someone’s home for food and conversation

– some time in prayer and focused study of the bible 

Ethos and accessibility:

– anyone is welcome to be part of the group

– there is a commitment to play, eat after and study 

– if you are part of the group you feel OK to host at some point

Logistics:

– a core team need to coordinate activity, hire a sport venue and ensure someone can host for food and study

– meet once every 6 weeks

– different types of sport (e.g. football, badminton, bowls, table tennis, snooker, squash etc- rotational)

– roughly 3-4 hours of your time

– the group co-fund the sport venue

Could you email Ben Powell (benpowell_10@hotmail.com) if you are: 

1) interested in being part of this group

2) you would like to be a core team member who will help coordinate 

3) outline any sports/activities that you particularly enjoy

Ben will then arrange an initial core meeting to set up the first number of dates/venues/homes and then communicate this to the wider group. 

Oasis café and Moortots – Tuesday and Thursday mornings – chill, chat and play

by

Moortots and our Oasis café are for everyone: that’s babes in arms, big brothers (either with or without their little sisters), toddlers, parents, child-minders, carers, grandmas, granddads… I think that covers just about everyone! 

Both are great fun and whilst there are differences they both always offer some fantastic craft activities, role play, sand and play dough etc. They’re also planned to give each of our young visitors the chance to play with or on a range of age-appropriate puzzles, toys, bikes and cars.

On Thursdays our Moortots sessions always rounds off with singing time but before that we provide light refreshments, birthday cards, craft materials and at Christmas there’s never a year goes by without a visit from you know who always arrives weighed down with gifts.

If you’re still a bit confused as to what’s the difference is between Moortots and Oasis let Shelley Dring our Children and Families Lead explain: “Oasis is a toddler friendly café that runs from 9.15am till 11.45am on Tuesdays during term time.  It takes place in our church’s large sanctuary space which means that adults are free to sit back, relax and chat whilst their children play safely within view. At MBC we believe that those caring for young children need a bit of time for themselves, so Oasis café is a place where they know they will be listened to, cared for and encouraged. Moortots, meanwhile, is perhaps how you would imaging a more traditional toddler club to be”.

As for cost, well, Oasis (that’s Tuesday mornings between 9.15am and 11.45am) costs £1 for an adult and 50p a child whereas Moortots (Thursdays, between 9.45am until 11.30) costs £1.00 for the first child and 50p for subsequent children. Both of course include coffee, juice and refreshments.

Right now our Friday Moortots is on hold.  However, if anyone is interested in coming along and/or helping could you get in touch with me, that’s Shelley Dring, Children and Families Lead, Moortown Baptist Church, 0113 269 3750. Email shelley.dring.mbc@btconnect.com

There’s a gallery of pictures we took recently at Moortots and Oasis here. If you would like to see a larger version of any of them simply click on the image.

 

 

Treasure and Heart – Graham’s blog

by

Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6: 21)  Your treasure tells the story of your heart. What you value most, it is the basis of your passion, energy and thinking.

Now Jesus urged us to value heaven most; the kingdom of heaven, the rule and way of God shown in Jesus. This is a noble and unfailing focus for our priorities and values. Our treasure being in Jesus and in God’s rule describes the orientation and values of a follower of Jesus.

That is the big question Jesus poses. But other more nuanced questions follow: If your treasure is in Jesus what other treasures is it displacing or what else is fighting for treasure status for us?

I have to say I am never 100% going for it with Jesus, as much as I wish I was. If I recognize this I can become aware of competing priorities. Then I can face and address them. If we don’t see or acknowledge competing motivations then they will run wild.

I know that Jesus is primarily addressing the motivation of money and possessions. But his words can also apply to status and power. It could be that my treasure is my position, my role – that is what my heart is set on. That is challenging; have I ever realized that I am wedded to the role I play and can’t let go or struggle to see others take a key role? If so then position and power have become my treasure – even for a good cause.

Jesus goes a little further saying; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…” Matthew 6: 19
Storing up treasure, draws our attention to the process I go about accumulating treasure. I can also be aware to processes I am going about to generate treasure. Storing up is about the ways we go about reaching our goals. So, we may ask – how am I going about storing up treasure? What is my method of investment? Supporting others, praying, giving or simply watching from the sidelines? Am I seeking a noble aim in an unhealthy way?

My last question is about the relationship between heart, treasure and storing up.

In recent weeks I have had many conversations with people looking at their priorities, passions and balance of life. Your treasure tells the story of your heart, your heart needs to be expressed in living. In this, I am aware that we all hold priorities that we care about and that we have a deep need and potential to play a specific part in reaching that priority. If heart, treasure and storing up are not in harmony we experience disheartening imbalance.

For some this is a question of admitting what these things are? For some it is creating space in the midst of work and family pressures to allow heart, treasure and storing up to grow. Maybe we need to order life and work, maybe we need to do something differently?

So we can ask: What is my treasure – what matters to me most?
How am I storing up – what am I doing to contribute to what matters to me?
In what I am doing am I doing things a bad way, a good way and could there be a better way?

So, without a doubt, Jesus is talking about our ultimate treasure in him and the priority of the Kingdom. Clearly we cannot adjust to this and turn from misplaced ways without Jesus’ help and our intent.

It is worth taking a deeper look at our treasure, heart and storing up and in the process to remember that a person is worth what the object of their heart is worth. From Jesus this is both a gift and a challenge.

Graham Brownlee, October 2019

As Shelley and James are commissioned MBC recognises and celebrates the importance of its children’s, youth and family ministry

by

Sunday’s Commissioning Service for Shelley Dring and James Wilde was far more than a time of welcome and blessing for two new members of staff. As the centrepiece of a service based around the theme of how ancient stones designed for one purpose can come to life and take on a new role the event was actually a recognition and celebration of all the work carried out by MBC’s Children and Youth teams.

In what might perhaps be described as a cross between a high five conga and the age old children’s nursery rhythm Oranges and Lemons the entire congregation were invited to weave their way between two columns of youngsters before those who actually serve on team (upwards of forty people) found themselves standing at the front of church.

I’m sure that for Shelley, our Children and Family Worker and for James, our Pioneer Youth Lead it was a very special day. However, I’m equally certain that for the whole MBC family it was a reminder of just how much emphasise the church continues to put on the nurture, spiritual growing and support of all.

The gallery below shows some more pictures taken on the day. To see a larger copy of any of them simply click on the image.

    

 

 

Ping pong pensioners

by

Okay so maybe it’s not the most energetic game of table tennis you’ve ever seen but you have to agree that with a combined age of 186 both of our players deserve gold!

John Hornby kindly sent in this video which he shot at this week’s Lunch Club, and which shows Raymond Newton and Jean Hiley.  Who won remains a mystery.

What next I wonder: hurling, curling, quoits?  

Lunch Club – on safari!

by

Sam’s Safaris visited Lunch Club this week to provide an interactive handling session. Sam’s Safaris is an animal education company providing  amazing animal encounters with exotic and rare animals from all over the world.

Our Lunch Club regulars enjoyed meeting a selection of creatures including Milly the millipede, Jaffa the tortoise and Tony the tiger salamander amongst others.

Here are a selection of photographs from the session.

Prayers for Hong Kong

by

For peace between people, and for understanding and forbearance between the government of China and the Hong Kong people.

I pray for the fruit of God’s Spirit to be seen in every young person who knows Jesus as LORD in HK.

We pray for safety of our brother’s and sisters and the whole community. We pray for a soft heart to law makers.

For meaningful dialogue

I pray for real wisdom for the Chinese government to respond humanely to achieve a visibly fair solution for Hong Kong.

Pray for decision making of government in a peaceful manner.

Praying for peace and reconciliation and a way forward into a settled future.

I pray that God will be in the centre of Hong Kong. That the people know he is there.

For peace and understanding among each other.

I pray for safety and peace of Young people who are growing up and have been caught up in this unsettling political situation. Bless them and their future. Amen.

Freedom for Christians and that God will turn the situation around that many people will be added to the church in Hong Kong. Peace for those in our church who are connected to Hong Kong.

That peace will be seen in Hong Kong, that resolution will be seen and compromise will be found and both sides will be willing to compromise for peace. That the church may gain a voice in the development of a new way forward.

I pray for a peaceful solution to the unrest in Hong Kong and a return to democracy there. Amen

Prayers for common sense to prevail.

Pray for self-control on all sides and safety for the people.

May democracy prevail. Show your power O Lord! 

Keep the children of Hong Kong safe, give them a peaceful life without interference from China. Bless them all.

Praying for the grace and peace of God for Hong Kong.

Pray for peace to return to Hong Kong
Safety of people and children living in Hong Kong.

Pray for the young people for their safety. For wisdom for the government’s & the decisions they make. 

Praying God to guide the leaders in the best way possible to prevent corruption where it is so likely to happen.

I am praying for peace in Hong Kong.

Pray for peace in Hong Kong in the midst of intensifying unrest. You are in control Lord.

Lord, our heavenly Father, I pray for the people of Hong Kong, Lord, grant them peace in their hearts. We pray for understanding between leadership and the people.

Lord, we pray for the people of Hong Kong that they would know the love of Christ and they would reconcile with one another. We pray that they would see the longing they have for a peaceful and just Hong Kong is a good and true longing that will only be fully satisfied in heaven.  Amen

Pray for wisdom for Xi Jinping and the Communist Party in China in regards to Hong Kong.

Peace, patience and grace

I pray that the people of Hong Kong would trust God’s sovereignty and know that he has a plan for them all. Help the Christian’s to be good witnesses of Jesus and they would be bright lights in these dark times.

I pray for wisdom, calm and self- control for all

We pray for peace in Hong Kong. For discussions that ease tensions. For freedom for all to express their ideas and reach a peaceful way forward.

Pray for decision makers and protesters to listen to each other and find solution which is best for the country.

Dear Lord, I pray for all those suffering in Hong Kong that they may feel the comfort and hope of your presence. Please give wisdom and guidance to all those in authority and that those trapped in situations that they can’t escape may find a way. Amen

I pray for peace and love for the people of Hong Kong.

Pray for peace and understanding and Gods guidance in Hong Kong.

Pray for wisdom & a peaceful outcome to the situation in Hong Kong.

I pray for reconciliation between state and people. I pray for clear demands from the protesters that don’t change. I pray for wisdom for the leaders.

May the Lord be with Hong Kong people

Pray for your Kingdom come and your will be done. For families to be protected. For unity.

Prayer for peace and wisdom to resolve the conflict in Hong Kong

Pray for effective and progressive dialogue between the governments.

Praying for peace, reconciliation and compassion for all in Hong Kong. Wisdom for those in positions of power and decision.

Pray for God to work in unimaginable ways. Pray that young people can hear God’s voice and aren’t swept up in violent activities. Pray that peace will come to Hong Kong. 

Praying for peace, resolution, reconciliation and safety in HK.

May the God of peace remember Hong Kong in Jesus name. Amen!!

I pray that God’s peace will be felt in Hong Kong. I pray for people’s safety and for peaceful dialogue between those in positions of responsibility to bring about change for the better.

Pray for responsible media coverage

We pray for Hong Kong that they have a peaceful solution to their problems. 🙏

I pray that those who hold power in Hong Kong will be brave and listen the voices of those who disagree with them and remember that they are individuals with families and friends who love them. I pray that hearts will not be hardened on either side. I pray that Christians can be understood as people of love, peace, hope and forgiveness. I pray that meaningful talks take place, and that a way forwards can be found that allows dignity for all parties. Amen. 

Exciting day at MBC with a baptism and seven people being welcomed into membership

by

What and exciting morning we had today (Sunday September 15th) as a packed church celebrated a baptism and seven people being welcomed into membership.

The baptism was that of Rochelle Peter, a lovely young woman who is currently studying dentistry abroad but who’s family are long standing MBC regulars.  The picture above shows Rochelle with friend and supporter Kathryn Thompson and Co-Minister Rev Graham Brownlee.

The picture below, meanwhile, was taken at the start of our monthly Communion Service when Graham, fellow Co-Minister Shona Shaw and the whole congregation warmly welcomed seven new members.

To view a larger version of any of our gallery pictures simply click on the image.

PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com