John Sherbourne 
This dropped into my inbox today. I could have spent hours trying to dream up some clever caption, but instead I’ll simply tell you what Rod Russell told me…
Hi, John, another Rod’s (geriatric) tours, this photo in Barmouth, staying in Llandudno, cumulative age 637 years !!!!
That ladies and gentlemen is an average of 79,625 years per person.
Left to right in the top pic – Malcolm H and Sheila, Malcolm R and Rosemary, Frank and Kathy Harrison and bus driver Rod.
To coincide with the COP26 meetings in Glasgow, last Saturday was designated Global Day of Action for Climate Justice. There were around 100 demonstrations in the UK and 100’s in other countries worldwide. In Leeds a small group of local Churches from Chapel Allerton and Meanwood joined a throng of organisations – including many Environmental groups, Trade Unions, Fair Trade organisations, The Salvation Army, and Tearfund – in Millenium Square prior to a march round the city centre. They included one member of MBC and several former members now with other churches.
We followed the banner of the Chapel Allerton and Meanwood churches, with one side reading “No Copping Out”. The atmosphere was friendly and enthusiastic as we listened to speeches urging us to chant “What do we want? Climate Justice. When do we want it? NOW”. The emphasis was on the need for fine words to lead to real change and particularly for justice for the developing nations, many of which are experiencing the most immediate consequences of global warming whilst being the smallest emitters of greenhouse gases. Surely all Christians can join with others in working for Global Justice?
We then set off following the Unite union brass band to march into City Square (where we passed the impressive 8 metre cube which shows what just 1 tonne of CO2 looks like); then along Boar Lane to The Headrow and back up Cookridge Street to Millenium Square.
Here we were entertained by the band and could begin to reflect on the event:
In many ways going on a demonstration is an uplifting and enjoyable day out, with a strong sense of belonging with fellow marchers. BUT it is what we do now, after COP26 is no longer in the headlines, which will be the real test.
3.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5 v 5 KJV
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. The Message
“Blessed (inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect) are the gentle, the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled, for they will inherit the earth. AMP
Contentment is a beautiful word. I am told that the word contentment comes from the Latin word contentus which means ‘held together’ or ‘intact, whole’. Contentment is a sense of being complete, of wholeness, accepting who you are, what you have and your situation. The ability to be satisfied despite circumstances.
In our western society we pursue goals, happiness, our desires, ambitions, financial gain, control, validation, success, and stuff. We look for external sources of happiness. We compare ourselves with others and with who they are and what they have. But perhaps contentment is about appreciation, the reality of the present and satisfaction.
A group of isolated nomads, high in the Himalayas of Eastern Bhutan, were shown images of various emotions and asked for their own words to describe each emotion. When asked for the word that described contentment one of them said “It’s hard to translate it exactly, but the closest word is chokkshay, which is a very deep and spiritual word that means ‘the knowledge of enough.’ It was the idea that right here, right now, everything is just right as it is, regardless of what you are experiencing outside.” Daniel Cordaro Research Anthropologist.
I need to know that ‘I am enough’. I am who I am, and I will not compare myself with someone else. How whole do you feel inside? Of course, it is always possible to change and to grow as an individual. ‘My situation is enough’. It may not be ideal, it may be challenging, it may be painful, but I can have an attitude of gratitude for the bits that are good. I can accept the reality of the present without kicking against it. I can be intentional about accepting my situation and choose to be content, while making any adjustments that are possible.
I want to be in this ‘enough’ place- held together, intact, whole, and content. If I can reach for this then I may become a gentler person, sweet spirited, self-controlled, kind, gracious, not brash or boasting, and my life will have a positive influence on others. If I can be at peace with myself and willing to wait and let God take control of my life and my circumstances, then I will have more of the meekness and contentment that He wants for me.
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult, and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general, and in particular, I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me. Paul Philippians 4
Dear Friends
It was great to see some of you on Sunday at the light café, hear from you through messages or catch up with you on Monday at Beacon.
This week we began our Reading Romans experiment with over twenty people attending Haddon’s expertly led “seminars.”
Whilst we are talking about the bible some of you might want to check out the www.bibleproject.com that has ways to explore the bible for all ages including cartoons book overviews, podcasts and accessible videos.
Also a reminder about Karen Ross’s email from last week that if you have made anything in lockdown (don’t be shy!) and its transportable could you bring it to put on display as part of our worship this coming Sunday which under the theme of ‘The body focusses on hands’.
Then on Sunday 14th November we discover ‘The body…the feet’ as well as sharing communion and commemorating Remembrance Sunday. Some of you have offered to make symbols of peace and remembering for this day as you did last year so if you’d like to bring anything, we’d love to include it.
Please keep an eye on the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk as all the latest news is on there.
Finally, Christmas is one of the most special times in the year for Christians as we remember the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel ‘God with us’! We know some people feel the pressure of Christmas in different ways but I’m really keen that Christmas at its heart is a time to creatively encourage everyone with this truth that God is with us. So, I’ll be around for a Christmas Catch up 12.15pm-12.45pm on Sunday 7th November in the church building and on zoom on Monday 8th November at 7pm-7.30pm. It’s an informal time, for any age where you can share your thoughts and ideas, ask questions and I’ll share my ideas too.
Details for zoom below…
Topic: Christmas catch up
Time: Nov 8, 2021 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83343273159?pwd=REh0VU8wTXYrNUtPWkdZTDlETDVJZz09
Meeting ID: 833 4327 3159
Passcode: 945053
If you can’t make those times but want to share something then do get in touch with me on the church number, my number if you have it or shelley.dring@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com or pass it onto the leadership team
In Christ
Shelley
Did you know that each Friday MBC hosts a bible study group. It starts at 10am in our Music Room and is led by Robert and Carole Owen.
Like everything else here at Moortown it’s open to anyone and everyone.
So for more information call Robert or Carole on either 0113 2692939 or 07973741051.
Sunday 31st October – 11am Light café service for everyone followed by light lunch.
On the day we put the clocks back and the nights draw in, we gather to find out about God as light in the body! There’ll be croissants, tea and coffee, light crafts, a talk, songs and prayers. Bring your lunch to eat afterwards at 12am with others as you chat and have the option to make things to take home.
Everyone welcome., particularly if you’ve carved out a pumpkin. In fact if you have bring it along and we’ll provide the Tea light.
And don’t forget if you can’t get to church you can always join us either live or in the future via our YouTube channel.
Our next Church Meeting will be held here at MBC at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 9th.
All members and attendees are invited and are encouraged to take part in the debates, although when it comes to a vote only members will be eligible.
A full agenda will be available shortly.
We have now set a new date for our Tabletop Sale; it’s Saturday the 20th of November between 2 and 4pm. Each table will cost £10, and all profits will go directly to the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store.
Already items are mounting. We have cards, pictures, Christmas decorations, Romanian crafts and gifts, Body shop gifts, knitted items, jewellery and plants. If you would like a table, or even perhaps just half a table please contact Karen Ross.
As the sale will take place in the Sanctuary, and to ensure we don’t fall foul of any Covid recommendations facemasks must be worn and we will be operating a strict one-way system. This means that visitors will come in by the main, front door – buy lots of gifts – and then leave by the door next to the Music Room.
Entry of course is free, so what better way to snap up some crafty Christmas stocking fillers.
Oh, and if anyone would like to help us on the day itself then please speak to one of us in person or drop an email to leadership.team@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com
Lockdown Crafts.
Also, some of us have been wondering if during any of the lockdowns you discovered a hidden talent? It could be anything: knitting, crochetry, woodwork, paper crafts, painting etc. etc.
If you did and you would like to share something with us, on the Sunday that we are thinking about ‘Hands’ that’s Sunday November 7th we would like to put on an exhibition featuring some if not all the things you have made.
As we’ve been hearing over the last few weeks, MBC, as the body of Christ, is made up of so many different parts, so many different people each with their own individual talents so what better way of demonstrating these gifts than by loaning whatever it is you’ve made for display in church.
Again if you do have something you want to share with us please speak to any member of the Leadership Team or email us on leadership.team@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com
Many thanks
There’s one thing we all have in common; each and every year we all have a birthday. A couple of weeks ago I had mine and let’s just say that I’ll never see 72 again!
But for years now I, and a small number of others here at MBC have supported one of the Baptist church’s main outreach project… BMS World Mission. However, unlike some I have chosen to give that support through what might best be described as one of the Society’s softer options, that the BMS Birthday Scheme.
It’s actually incredibly simple. All you need to do is to speak with Roger Robson, tell him your birthday – but not necessarily your age and then on the day he’ll send you a card, a BMS Birthday Scheme newsletter (see above) and an envelope in which you can pop a cheque in and give him it back.
Of course the Birthday Scheme is just one of several fundraising initiatives that BMS World Mission run. I won’t go into all that now but Roger will be keen to explain more. And if you’re looking to see where and how MBC plays its part in providing direct support just think back to July and our first face to face service when John and Sue Wilson, now working in Paris, were our guests and all those newsletters we receive from our other mission partners Mark and Andrea in Chad.
A last word. In the book of Acts it says this: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Happy birthday
With a new banner in place, and our rooftop cross all trimmed up (you can catch a sneak preview in the video below) it’s going to be a busy few weeks here at MBC.
Make sure you don’t miss out on anything!
