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Shelley’s message… 22 February

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Dear friends

Just a short email this evening as I will send another email on Monday as we have a number of things coming up.  I took a couple of days out of what I usually do with church to rest (in a Shelley kind of way) but I look forward to seeing many of you on Monday.

Tomorrow, we meet in the building at 11am.  There will be some linked activities using clay to connect in with what Phil C will be sharing.  Last week was a good time of fellowship and hearing from God although we had a problem with the screen and youtube.  Thank you to those who have been working on this through the week, we hope to have a livestream tomorrow.  Rock Solid youth group have a break for half term tomorrow but return the week after.

Just a couple of notices before Mondays email..

A reminder about the deacons meeting next Monday at 7.30pm

The funeral of Gillian Bayliffe takes place in church at 11.30am on Thursday 27th February followed by refreshments in church.  All who remember Gillian or want to support David and the family are invited.

Next Saturday we will be joining in with Gather25 from 1 until 2 (mentioned in last week’s email) then we will be joining to pray together for our world, country, city and church until 3ish.  Everyone welcome

Blessings

Shelley

Saturday March 8th, FAIRTRADE CAFE is revived and you’re all invited

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A message from Roger Robson.

Some MBC folk may remember the Fairtrade Café run by the Beehive in past years. Well, this year the idea is being revived by Churches Together in Chapel Allerton and Meanwood on Saturday 8th March in the Chapel Allerton Methodist Centre from 10am to 1pm.

There will be refreshments, Fairtrade stalls and good company. All are welcome to support Fairtrade and Green Christian organisations seeking to help tackle climate change and help those in vulnerable countries that are most affected.

Please come along.

Shelley’s message for w/c 16th February

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Dear friends

We meet on Sunday at 11am to hear from the next part of Luke in Luke 3.  There will be a group for our younger friends and communion too.

Next week is half term so if you want to go to a housegroups do check with the leaders or contact Lesley although to date I haven’t heard about any changes in housegroups/bible studies.  There will be no Lunch Club this week and youth meet on Sunday night at the usual time of 7pm.  They will break for a week on 23rd February and be back again on Sunday 2nd March. Warm welcome Beacon café and craft group are on this week as usual too.

We love to make space for people to chat over a drink and food and we do this every first Sunday of the month at café church (as well as Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays).  Lesley sent out an email this week to ask if anyone could help every so often with topping up water, sorting cups etc for café church.  If you can, can you let Lesley know please, it won’t be every month but if we have more people, it will help share the roles a bit and make other things possible.

Gather25

On 1st March Gather25 takes place across the world.  It’s a livestream of worship, prayer and stories live from 8 worldwide locations plus the persecuted church.  We want to partner in prayer and worship with brothers and sisters around the world.  The livestream will be broadcast in many languages.  We will be broadcasting in English and will be showing the livestream from 1pm in church which happens to be live from Cluj in Romania.  You will have chance to watch, sit, write, pray, sing during this time. Between 2 and 3pm we will have some live sung worship, art area and activities, map of the world, prayer.  Then 3pm-4pm I will lead a movement workshop ‘Prayer for 2025’ with props including flags for all ages and no experience needed, just come and learn how to move in prayer. Adjustments will be made for different fitness levels/abilities. The livestream will continue… the livestream then moves to Kigali in Rwanda and then to the UK at 7pm. www.gather25.com  I will send a separate email out this week but if you know you can contribute then can you let me know and everyone else just come along and feel free to invite people.  This isn’t about an ‘event’ but it is an opportunity to pray at the same time with many other brothers and sisters around the world and to be encouraged and challenged by how God is working across the world and to motivate us where we are.

Notice of funerals

We will be hosting the funeral of Gillian Bayliffe at 11.30am February 27th followed by refreshments.  All those who would like to remember Gillian or support David and her family are invited to come along.

We will be hosting the funeral of Jenny Trout at 4pm March 6th. More details to follow.

Change of Date for MBC plant sale It’s now 10th May!  It seems a long way off, but Jenny says “if anyone is splitting up perennial plants that have got too big, then it would be great if you could save and pot up the bits they don’t want so they will be nice and big and healthy by May time!  Probably not something anyone is going to want to be doing this weekend though due to the weather!”.

Wednesday worship songs of praise

There will be a songs of praise at Wednesday worship at 1.30pm on 26th February.  If you have a favourite hymn or bible reading to share can you let Rachel B know please.

Seminar on Cristian considerations of potential changes in law regarding “assisted dying” Venue: Woodlands Methodist Harrogate Date: Saturday 22th February 2025, 10.00 – 12.00 noon with breakfast available from 9.30 am Tickets: General admission: £5 Under 18s: free Tickets: On EventBrite Seminar – February 2025: Assisted Dying – Harrogate School of Theology & Mission  Session delivered by David Hanson, retired Consultant ENT surgeon, who in addition to his medical career, has been a leading supporter of WYSOCS (West Yorkshire School of Christian Studies) which became the Thinking Faith Network https://thinkfaith.net/about/

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

 

 

Shelley’s message… “keep going, don’t stop!”

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Dear friends

On an early morning long run I ended up in the city centre.  The weather was overcast and drizzly and it felt like I had been running for a long time.  Then a voice shouted from the bridge “keep going, don’t stop!”  The command woke me up from the greyness as I saw a man sat on the floor, wrapped in a sleeping bag.  Hebrews 10:24 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.”  A spur is a small spike or small wheel a rider wears on their heel to help urge a horse forward or to direct the horse’s steps.  It gives direct action to the horse and complements the words of the rider.  It had the desired affect on me as I shouted thank you, picked up the pace and decisively picked my route.  It’s a thought..

This week looks like this..

Sunday 11am service with group for our younger friends and on youtube.  Luke 2:40-51

Sunday 7-8pm rock solid youth group in church

Monday 10-12midday Warm welcome space beacon café

Tuesday 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and parents and carers

Tuesday afternoon house group in church, see Howard Dews

Wednesday lunchclub, see Rachel Beedle

Wednesday 7.30-9pm house group in church, see Ruth/Andy Berry, also one in Alwoodley, see Diane Sunter

Thursday 2-4pm warm welcome space craft group

Thursday 7pm bible study with Gareth

Friday 10am Bible study in church, any questions, chat with myself

Friday 8pm housegroup, see Jonathan and Hilary or Steve or Helen

Saturday 15th 9.30am sung worship breakfast at the toby carvery.  See Andy Berry for more information.

Sunday 16th 11am service with communion and a group for our younger friends.

Sunday 16th after church, Sunday morning pray group meet with lunch, Shelley leading a session on ‘Hearing God’s voice’.

We are linking with Gather25  www.Gather25.com We will be gathering for some prayer, art, music, dance in the afternoon to evening on 1st March.  If you have an idea, a prayer, a picture, a song please get in touch, it is a shared gathering.

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley’s update – Connections, 1 February

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Dear friends

Usually, one good piece of advice I have been given in the past regarding technology is ‘turn it off and back on again”. Usually, things sort themselves out.  Since my laptop and phone have been ‘temperamental’ this week I tried it out on them both.  For my laptop, it worked.  My phone was a different story.  Only specialised, high-powered intervention involving connecting the phone to equipment that was able to do all sorts of things whilst it was ‘asleep’ was able to bring it back to life temporarily. It’s a reminder again about the importance of being connected. Trees are connected to goodness in the soil to remain healthy and stand.  Tomorrow, we’ll hear more on this at café church starting at 11am looking at John 15.  There will be pastries, fruit and drinks and an activity to practically explore the theme.

Connection can look like many things.  If we are talking about connection to God, the word ‘prayer’ may come into our minds.  Prayer is one way we keep our roots strong.  Christians have always prayed but in 2025 there seems to be a renewal of focus to pray again, pray with others, prayer in a new way with or without words, pray across cities, across countries…

The Baptist Union have started some online prayer gatherings for 2025.  The first one happened last week but there are more throughout the year.  The next one is on 25th March.  Please follow the link below to catch up and join in.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain : Prayer Broadcasts

One of the Wednesday evening groups has started The Prayer Course by Pete Greg of 24/7 prayer, a course that has been run once already at MBC last year.  For more information for your own group or if you want to find resources for yourself or to do the course with others talk to Krys Gadd or myself.

On 1st March ‘Gather25’ is planned, see Gather25 | 25-hour Global Christian Conference in 2025 described as using the technology we have to Gather, inspire, share stories of the whole church around the world so that we can commit ourselves again to live the Great Commission and see Jesus everywhere.  There are 7 areas from where worship, prayer and stories will be broadcast.  These include the UK, Romania, Malaysia, Rwanda as well as an 8th area hosted by the Persecuted church around the world. I will share more information tomorrow and on a separate email but for now put 1st March in your diary (afternoon into evening)!  As well as the livestream we hope to have some live worship/prayer/art in the building as well as a Movement and prayer workshop praying in a new way for the year ahead. Do get in touch of you have a thought/idea/can help.

Also, aimed at those aged 13ish to 35ish or anyone with a heart for this age group including friends, youth and children’s leaders, teachers, parents, grandparents you might want to join us in ‘TheSend’.  It’s happening across the UK, 5 regions; Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Northern England and Southern England, similar to Gather25 with worship, prayer, inspiration and commissioning.  The big gathering for Northern England is at Leeds Arena on 22nd November and we have been invited to go to our nearest local pre-event prayer/worship hub (they are happening all over the region) at North Church on 8th May.  More information to come in the next two weeks.

Also, a reminder that all those who lead by playing/singing worship at any point throughout the week are invited to breakfast on 15th Feb at the carvery in Chapel A to hang out/share at 9.30am.  Each week there are different groups/bands so it would be great to spend some time altogether.  There will be a Tech team breakfast on 8th March 9.30am.

All our groups are running as usual this week.  Do check with Lesley, the group leaders or myself if you have questions and check out the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples” (Isaiah 56:7)

In Christ

Shelley

MBC shares in a special Holocaust Memorial Day Assembly at Leeds Jewish Free School

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Last Monday, the 27th of January, Shelley Dring and John Sherbourne had the great privilege of representing Moortown Baptist Church at a special assembly at Leeds Jewish Free School to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. 

The 45 minute service, held exactly 80 years on from the date in 1945 that Russian troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps, was a hard hitting yet poignant reminder of the evils of hatred, which not only led to more than 6 million Jewish men, Jewish women and Jewish children being exterminated, but also to the brutal massacre of hundreds of thousands of Roma, Slavic and black people, homosexuals and those with a physical or mental illness. 

By contrast, however, through the simple act of lighting candles, and the fine use of  poetry, prose and prayer the service delivered a palpable feeling of optimism and hope. 

Besides Shelley and John from Moortown, the event was  attended by the the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Marshall Katung, and representatives from many community and faith groups. 

The fact that MBC was invited to take part in such a meaningful event is yet further evidence of our standing in the community. That’s why I have no hesitation in saying that for Shelley and I to stand alongside the Lord Mayor, rabbis from a number of local synagogues, members of both the LJHB and the LJWB, representatives from West Yorkshire police and the leaders of other religious traditions, and then to be invited to light a candle and share a prayer with the entire Leeds Jewish Free School family really was very special. 

Shelley’s weekly update – 25th January

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Dear friends

A slightly later email than usual but one I hope that is helpful over the week. 

Firstly, a thank you to all who prepared for the meeting on Tuesday and all who came.  The minutes will be out shortly.  I shared from 1 Corinthians 12:7, a reminder that to each one of us we are given gifts from the Holy Spirit for the common good.  The New Testament Greek word for ‘common good’ means to bear or bring together, so there is a sense of us carrying something together, combining what we have with others.  This goes against any ideas of relying simply on our own self-development in order to grow, instead the gifts flourish when in community. It is good to be reminded of this through our reports on the year and current MBC news.   I was also encouraged by your support for myself and the other staff in the team, so thank you.

At the church meeting people were encouraged to write down words or bible verses that came to them through the evening that God may be saying.  I will make sure we add these to the minutes next week.  They will be good to look out for and pray about.  

The last couple of Sunday we have followed the events after Jesus’ birth with thoughts about developing strong roots for 2025.  We looked at..

What are we following or choosing not to following?

What do we treasure and what treasure have we been given?

Tomorrow, we look at what happens when we are shaken?

The next week looks like this..

Sunday 26th January 11am Service with a creative group for our younger friends. Matthew 2:13-14

Sunday 26th January 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth

Monday 27th January 10-12 Warm welcome café beacon

Tuesday 28th January 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their carers

Tuesday 28th January afternoon housegroup in building

Tuesday 28th January mission group meeting 2.30pm

Tuesday 28th January Deacons and Shelley meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 29th January lunchclub (see Rachel Beedle)

Wednesday 29th January bible study in church building at 7.30pm

Thursday 30th January 2-4pm Warm welcome space craft group

Thursday 30th January bible study in building 7pm

Friday 31st January bible study at 10am in the building

Sunday 2nd January 11am all age café church ‘What are your roots like?’

Please contact me, a deacon or Lesley for more information on any of these.

Some other dates..

Next week there are two sessions run by Faith in kids, one on zoom and one at Gateway church on Thursday night.  Click the links below..

Welcoming children with additional needs zoom.. click here for information..

Buy tickets – Inspire (Children’s Ministry Leadership Training): Welcoming families with additional needs – Zoom

Raising confident kids in a confusing world ‘in person’

Buy tickets – Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World (Leeds) – Gateway at St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Rd, Leeds

Let me know if you are interested in going.

Also coming up..

Gather Leeds Mini Summit (including Launch of Leeds Lent Prayer Diary) (Tues 25th Feb)  There will be food served from 6pm with stalls from the projects in the diary, followed by speakers and round table discussions about how we can impact the city. Please reserve your tickets here

The return of MBC plant sale Saturday 17th May! Save the date

As we start the week again, I am reminded of the words of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde who spoke at Trumps inauguration this week.

“Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley’s weekly message flags up MBC’s AGM, plus two special events aimed at anyone with a heart for children’s ministry, or welcoming families with additional needs

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Dear friends

We have the theme ‘Rooted’ emerging on Sundays.  We’ll talk more about this over time, something to think about. We are taking some time in January to look at the events just after Jesus’ birth to see what God might be saying to us about ourselves, our communities and the wider world. Last week we looked at Matthew 2 and considered what do we choose to follow and what do we choose not to?  I wonder if you have given it some time this week to ponder about the things you follow and the things you don’t in order to be healthy as a disciple of Jesus?  January is full of ideas on how to start strong, some helpful and some maybe not so but its good to have January as a month to ponder things through and be intentional, not rushing but discerning, writing things down, sharing and praying things over.  Tomorrow, we look at the treasures the magi brought and the treasure they found.  We start at 11am in the building and on the YouTube channel.  There will be a group for our younger friends and we’ll also have some stories shared.

In the evening Rock Solid for youth meets  in the building 7pm-8pm.

Most of our groups continue as usual this week apart from Tuesday afternoon housegroup and Wednesday housegroup in the building as they want to allow for people coming to the church meeting on Tuesday evening.  Do keep in touch with your group leaders or contact Lesley at the beginning of the week in case there is a change. 

Tuesday evening is the Church AGM and church meeting at 7.30pm.  It would be great if you can come to this to pray and share and get a feel for what has been happening in the church and what God is doing.  We thank God for all those who volunteer in all sorts of ways including all those who are part of this community.  There will be a zoom link for those unable to be there.  We will send it out next week.

I wanted to let you know that Faith in Kids are doing a few sessions across the country called Raising confident kids in a Confusing world.  Its for anyone connected to any child, so you don’t need to be a parent, just anyone with a heart for children right now (parents, grandparent, those who are like parents and grandparents to others, children/youth leaders/helpers…) Its on Thursday January 30th 7.45-9.30 at Gateway Church, St Marks Road, Leeds, LS2 9AF more info here.  I’m going so if you are interested let me know. Buy tickets – Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World (Leeds) – Gateway at St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Rd, Leeds

There’s also a zoom training session on 28th January for welcoming families with additional needs… Buy tickets – Inspire (Children’s Ministry Leadership Training): Welcoming families with additional needs – Zoom for those involved in this area.  I intend to invite Children/youth leaders on your whats apps with some information so I will be in touch this weekend!

Finally this verse from Matthew 5:9 seemed appropriate at this time.  Do pray for all who work for peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”

The Baptist Union have released a statement and a prayer that you may want to join with.  Click on the link below

The Baptist Union of Great Britain : Statement on the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow

Shelley

Today and tomorrow – it’s business as usual, Shelley updates us after a somewhat challenging week

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Dear friends

The church building will be open tomorrow for a café style all age service at 11am.  There will be drinks available and some time to chat together.  A big thank you to those who came down to church today to help with clearing snow and ice, and those who have been monitoring it and working with me through the week.  Even if we had decided not to open tomorrow, it was appreciated and it helps us with the groups next week.

A few things to note:

The full car park will not be open tomorrow. The west side of the carpark (the bit that slopes by the creche room) still cannot be used so there will be a small team of people helping people park and move between the cars and building in front of the church and by the entrance and the bins in the available space.

Please use the usual entrance and exits to the carpark.

Please drive slowly.

We don’t want to encourage people to put themselves in unnecessary danger so we have a volunteer who is able to broadcast the service on youtube as usual tomorrow.

Rock Solid youth group is taking place 7-8pm at church tomorrow evening.

Decisions about activities in the week will be made after tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to worshiping together tomorrow.

In Christ

Shelley

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