John Sherbourne 
By anyone’s standards, for any Baptist church to have two baptisms and a dedication during one morning Service is good going. But such was the order last Sunday at Moortown Baptist Church.
For Jess and Rachel their baptism will be a highlight of their young lives and one that neither will forget. For little Amber it will turn out to be something that as she grows up she will forever be reminded of.
It was a real privilege to be in the congregation, and a real joy to see MBC continuing to grow.
We’re back! We arrived safely back home on Tuesday morning from our visit to Romania.
For the second part of our stay we visited Manastur Baptist Church in the city of Cluj-Napoca. Bela and Jean stayed at the home of Florin and Dana Fodor who visited us in Leeds two years ago and I with Constantin and Mariana Rusu who many years ago joined us on a church holiday.
We continued to be blessed by sunshine right up until the last couple of days. We had a scenic excursion to the Apuseni mountains where we visited the new Christian centre at Belis. We also visited the salt mine at Turda.
On Sunday we joined the service at Manastur church where there was a wedding of two young people from Haiti who had come to Cluj as students. It reminded us of Candice and Nelson’s wedding at MBC a few weeks ago.
In the evening we went to the Gypsy Church in the nearby village of Floresti. We have supported this important ministry for a number of years. We were made very welcome and Bela shared some thoughts based on her experience in India.
We again gave greetings from MBC at both churches and we were asked to convey their greetings and best wishes in return.
On our final day we met Nicu and Rita Reparuc who over the years have taken in and fostered around 30 children.
We return with lots of happy memories of the warmth of our welcome.
If you would like to share some of our memories simply open up the gallery by clicking on any of the pictures below .
As a local church with a world wide mission, protecting the environment and in particular addressing the effects of climate change are, or at least should be, two of the most vital challenges we face.
Below you will see a number of flyers issued by the Alwoodley 2030 Climate Action Hub. Also you can find out more by visiting Alwoodley 2030: Climate Action Hub – About
Although specifically focused on Alwoodley this project is equally important to the residents of Moortown, or even Miami, Malawi or Mombasa. And that’s because without a global effort climate change, whether that manifests itself in the form of hurricanes, floods, melting ice caps et al is going to change the face of civilisation beyond recognition.
In the leadup to Christmas, that’s in October, November and December the artists featured are Chris Read, Rod Cordner and the HUM Gospel Choir.
All the information you need to book your tickets is on the attached flyer but for more specific queries you can always call The Barn on 0113 2625048.
Hello and greetings from Romania; it’s Bela, Jean and Howard here, and by the time you read this we will be just about half way through our visit.
So let me bring you up to date. We began our trip last weekend in the village of Cserefalva where we stayed in the guest house with former pastor Noemi and her husband Csaba, but now we have moved on to visit the churches in Cluj.
In Cserefalva we attended the Sunday service and took the opportunity to pass on your greetings. We also met their new pastor Elud Marton and his family and he made us very welcome.
I have to say that so far during our stay we have been invited for a number of superb meals with members of church congregations which for those of you who know the custom here means that we have been very well fed.
On one of our days we took time out to visit the must see historic city of Sighisoara, the place where Dracula was born. Another day we travelled to visit Zsuzsi and Andor and had a lovely time with them and their family – which of course included looking around their church.
As for the weather – I’m glad to report that so far we have been blessed with sunshine throughout our entire visit.
There are lots of pictures in the gallery below. To view them simply click on any image.
Dear friends
We meet tomorrow at 11am in the building and online where we look at the theme of Jesus sustaining us, in John 6 but also starting to look at the story of Ruth. There will be a separate group during the talk with linked teaching and activities for children.
Next Sunday we have our baptism service. Everyone welcome, do come and support and pray and join in. We’ll have some refreshments and if you can bring a cake or sweet treats (no nuts) then can you let Lesley or Karen or a deacon know. The week after is our harvest celebration where there will be opportunity to give money (for Caring for life) or food for the north Leeds foodbank. We’ll send a harvest specific email out next week.
A reminder that all those who have joined any of the Prayer Course are invited to bring lunch on the 6th October after church for a time of sharing and prayer.
Thanks to all those who helped with the tabletop sale last Saturday raising money for the women’s development centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Thanks to Krys who was behind the organising. Over £700 was raised at the last count!
Lesley reminded everyone last week that the last day to put in nominations for deacons is tomorrow. If you want a chat about any of this then do get in touch.
Do pray for Howard, Bela and Jean who flew to Romania today to meet with some of the churches we support and people where relationships have been built over the years with people at MBC.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
(Psalm 34:8)
Shelley
Minister – Moortown Baptist Church
Dear friends
This week we continue with John 4:43-54 as we journey with Jesus through Galilee and see the ‘ripples’ going out to households and communities. We will have an activity for our younger friends during the talk. We start at 11am in the building and on youtube.
Last weekend was a great celebration and lots of food for thought, from Candice and Nelson’s wedding on Saturday to café church on Sunday. Thanks to all who helped with the wedding on Saturday and all who were part of Sunday in anyway whether it be washing up or preparing sung worship. It was good to hear each other’s stories and a real privilege.
The prayer course continues this Sunday. See website Prayer Course – see Krys Gadd for details – Moortown Baptist Church
Rock Solid youth are back together again on Sunday evening at 7pm.
Beacon warm welcome café is back on Monday 9th September. Craft group is postponed this week but back the week after.
On 10th September Stepping Stones returns at 10-11.30am. Do contact Lesley if you are new and would like to come.
Also on Tuesday it’s our Church Meeting and this time it’s an opportunity to hear updates on the last few months, for members to vote on voting online, it’s a reminder about deacons elections which are coming up soon and a chance to hear how you can pray for what’s going on as well as getting involved.
There’s no Wednesday night housegroup this week but it returns the week after.
For Tuesday afternoon housegroup contact Rod or Howard, see Hilary and Jonathan or Steve or Helen about Friday nights group and Gareth about Thursday night bible study. If in doubt contact myself or Lesley or ask a deacon.
Lunch club is meeting on the 11th for all those booked in and the volunteers. See Rachel if you want to know more about helping or about someone who is maybe interested in going.
It’s the tabletop sale on the 14th September. See website for details Table Top Sale – 14th September – Moortown Baptist Church
On the 29th September we’ll be celebrating a baptism again in church! If you would like to be baptised on that day too then do get in touch with me for a chat.
October café church is on the 6th at 11am and it will be a harvest and thanks with chance to bring food/financial giving. More details to come next week.
Leeds Citywide prayer gathering is taking place on Tuesday 1st October 7.45-9.30pm at North Church, 98 Kirkstall Road, LS3 1HJ. All are invited to pray for the city in different ways.
I am running the Great North mini run tomorrow with Daisy and the Great North Run myself on Sunday for Leeds Hospitals charities. I’ll miss being part of worship with you on Sunday but I’ll join in later in the day and look forward to catching up after the run.
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” John 4:39
Lets keep sharing stories.
Shelley
Dear friends
We meet again for café church at 11am on Sunday! We will be joining for worship and creatively looking at the theme of Jesus stories as we look back over the last few weeks at the stories Jesus told in Luke and how we are all included in the story, just like the Samaritan woman at the well. If you like a jigsaw puzzle then come along as we have a bit of a jigsaw puzzle for you to try!
If you would like to share something you think God has said through the stories of the last few weeks or simply a thought, then we will have an opportunity for that on Sunday. Do pray about this as it will help someone else on their journey. Just a short thought/reflection is fine.
A reminder that Candice and Nelson’s wedding is on Saturday at 2pm. All of you are welcome to the ceremony to support, pray and worship with them. There will be time after the service for photos and mingling before their reception starts. We have a private YouTube link for friends, family and members who would like to be part of the service but can’t physically be there. Please do message me if you would like the link. We would like all to feel included.
The prayer course continues this Sunday at 7.30pm on zoom this week. See website Prayer Course – see Krys Gadd for details – Moortown Baptist Church
Rock Solid youth are back together again on Sunday evening at 7pm.
Beacon warm welcome café is back on Monday 2nd September and craft group is back on Thursday afternoon 2-4pmLesley is back in on Monday.
The Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening house group in church are on this week. See Howard Dews/ Rod for Tuesday and Ruth/Andy Berry for Wednesday night. See Hilary and Jonathan or Steve or Helen about Friday nights group.
Stepping Stones isn’t back until the 10th September but lunch club is back on!
Deacons meeting at 7.30pm Tuesday night to plan for the meeting on the 10th September
It’s the tabletop sale on the 14th September. See website for details Table Top Sale – 14th September – Moortown Baptist Church
Have a look at website for latest news including updates from our friends in Romania Florin and Dana Fodor bring us up to date with a message from Romania – Moortown Baptist Church
Finally, it was good to see so many at the ‘It is Well’ musical at the Fraser Theatre in Knaresborough last night. It’s the story of the writers of the hymn ‘It is well’ and the huge life events that happen including personal joy and tragedy, the American civil war and the Chicago Fire of 1871. If you went last night and would like to give some feedback or share something that may help others or write something for the website then do let me know or let Adam or John Sherbourne know if it’s the website purely. The show continues in Sheffield tonight. “It Is Well With My Soul” – Premieres In Sheffield (yorkshire.com)
I leave you with one of the verses in the hymn written by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss.
“For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live!
Though death’s waters over me roll,
no fear shall be mine, for in death as in life
you will whisper your peace to my soul.
It is well”
In Christ
Shelley
The Teacher as a Candle – by Crina Bob, volunteer in our Teachers’ Ministry
A teacher full of passion is like a scented candle- in order to spread light and aroma, it consumes itself. He/she is continually sacrificing, in a multitude of relationships: students, parents or colleagues.
Ionela was a young teacher who came to work at our school a few years ago. She was a selfless and sensitive person, full of desire to invest her best in the lives of future generations. We immediately connected with each other. We wished we could have met more often, but we did not have enough time. I enjoyed every time she came to me for advice (facing a challenge with her students or their parents). I knew God wanted to use me in her life and I tried to help her.
One day, I saw Ionela in the corridor. She told me she had a difficult week- a sensitive situation with a parent of a student. Later on that day, I called her. I encouraged her, I told her she is a wonderful person and I appreciate her. At the end of the call, she told me: „I am feeling better! Thank you for your nice words. You have brightened my day!” I was not aware these words were the last ones I would ever hear from her.
Two days later, her husband called me and shared terrible news: Ionela had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. For the next few days, the Holy Spirit moved the hearts of the teachers in our school. Catholics, Orthodox or Protestants- we all came together in prayer. But God had another plan. He decided to take her home. At the age of 24.
For me, her passing away is painful. I regret not being able to spend more time with her, to help her grow spiritually and professionally
At the same time, it teaches me important lessons. I need to live my life so that I will spread more light to those around me- family, society, teachers. Our life is short. Who knows what will be the last words someone will hear from us?
As Christians, we are like candles, consumed for the benefit of others. What kind of aroma will I leave behind? Am I investing my time in things that are eternal? Around us, some people need to hear about the Lord. Others need to be discipled. Still others feel lonely and need a smile, an embrace, an encouragement.
Ionela’s death reminded me that I am (and I need to be) „an aroma of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15).
Teachers Conference in Bocșa
Last month we went to the city of Bocșa, where we organized a conference (see picture above) 54 teachers came, representing 10 cities and 14 schools. The topic was Emotional Intelligence in Education (better managing the emotions of the students; building a value system; different learning styles of the students).
Here are some impressions from the participants
-These were the most valuable 4 hours for my personal development this year.
-I learned to be more confident, to dare to act beyond my comfort zone and to trust God.
-I learned to communicate better with the people around me and be more attentive to their needs.
-It was like fresh air to us. We hope we will be able to continue this ministry.
-I am glad I met you, I spent a quality time here. You serve Christ with passion!
-We enjoyed your presence and your involvement in our lives, as teachers! May God search the hearts of the participants and use us for extending His kingdom.
Thank you for partnering with us. With love and appreciation, Florin and Dana Fodor
Dear friends
We’ll be back in church at 11am with a service all together based on the third section of John 4.. just to recap…three weeks ago we started with exploring John 4:1-13 ‘Jesus story’, then John 4:13-26, how Jesus story became ‘My story’ and on the 25th August we look at John 4:27-42 ‘Our story’. We consider the ripple effects of the conversation between the Samaritan woman and Jesus and how it reached a whole community.
I often thank God that I have the opportunity to hear stories of the ‘ripple effects’ of the story of God in people’s lives. It starts with one person meeting Jesus, like the Samaritan woman by the well. So, transformation comes, one story at a time.
We are grateful this week for…
All who completed fire marshal training on Monday, we will look to go through a fire drill soon in church.
All those involved in the ‘Rock Solid meets Lunch club’ Day on Wednesday. See website for some photos.
All those who shared, sang and played at Wednesday Worship Songs of Praise
All those who have visited and prayed for others this week, in our community and further afield
All those helping with our tech issues and wiring this week
All those preparing for our services
There are many more thanks of course that we wouldn’t have room to put here including all our regular groups and all those unseen things that God sees in our day to day lives.
For those on a break we pray you will be refreshed over this time. For those who find themselves laying down what they would usually do, for many reasons, we pray that you will find your identity in Jesus, just as the Samaritan woman did and let Jesus lead you through the valleys and the mountain tops.
For all the activities and services at Moortown Baptist Church please see the website at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org,uk
News for the next few weeks..
The prayer course continues after church (See Krys Gadd or website)
No Rock Solid this week, its back on 1st September at 7pm-8pm
Beacon café takes a break this week, back on the 2nd September
Wednesday 28th August is a film afternoon in the music room arranged by Rachel Beedle. All invited to come watch Singing in the rain! 1.45pm start until 4pm. There will be choc ices in the interval for all!
Wednesday night house group in church takes a break this week, back on the 4th September
Craft group, warm welcome space is on Thursday 29th August 2-4pm in church
A reminder about a musical coming up on the 29th August (currently at Edinburgh Fringe Festival). A numb er of people are going from Moortown. Please ask if you have questions. Follow link here, It is Well with My Soul… a new musical playing at Knaresborough’s Frazer Theatre on Thursday 29th August. – Moortown Baptist Church
Saturday 31st August is Candice and Nelson’s Wedding Day. All are invited to support and celebrate with them at the service at 2pm. Invited guests to the wedding reception afterwards.
Sunday 1st September 11am All Age café church John 4: 43-54 with linked activities ‘The story continues…’
Lesley is on leave this week so be aware if you are sending emails to her admin email. If you need a quicker reply contact myself or a deacon or a group leader. She’ll be back in on Monday 2nd September.
Church meeting is 10th September 7.30pm and on zoom. Part of this meeting will be to vote on a small change to the constitution (discussed at the last meeting) connected to voting online. Voting for this change will happen in the building only (and not online) on the 10th September. However, if the members vote to change it on this evening, it will allow for online voting at future meetings. A zoom connection will still be available on the 10th but votes won’t be counted for those online.
Emails went out this week with details of the proposed constitution change as well as details about nominating new deacons in October. There are a number of paper copies that have been made for those who cannot currently access emails. These can be picked up on Sunday after the service. If you need a paper copy and can’t be there on Sunday please let me or a deacon know.
In Christ
Shelley
