John Sherbourne
BMS World Mission – catch up with its latest news
Question: what does a pioneer church planter working in a Buddhist village in Thailand have in common with a group of people from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Blackwood?
Answer: stories about both feature in BMS World Mission’s latest ENGAGE magazine.
Amongst other things issue 42 also contains a message from General Director Kang-San Tan, a feature about how in Afghanistan field workers are helping to reduce the number of mother and baby deaths by educating villagers about preventable illnesses and birthing complications, and a thank you from Lebanon for the help BMS World Mission is giving Syrian refugees.
In the package I received (free, by post) there was also a timely reminder that whilst Christmas may still be more than three months off it’s never too soon to stock up on cards or notelets from the organisations 2018 catalogue.
ENGAGE is available totally free of charge either by post or on line. To subscribe call 01235 517700, email mail@bmsworldmission.org or go to https://www.bmsworldmission.org/get-involved/stay-informed/engage/
Moortown Baptist Church, both as a church and through individual giving supports BMS World Mission in a number of different ways. For information about how you can help please speak with Roger Robson.
Where do we Grow from Here? Sept 22 – 23, a weekend of learning and sharing
On Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd of September we will be welcoming Pastor Ken Benjamin to MBC. Ken who is Minister at Chichester Baptist Church will, between 2019 and 2020 serve as the President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Having recently led a large church through a programme which looked at new ways of addressing mission and discipleship Ken will spend the Saturday morning (10am to 12.30pm – coffee and croissants from 9.30) )leading a number of seminars and discussions designed to support leaders from both our church and other local fellowships.
On Sunday morning he will be preaching on the title you see in our headline: Where do we grow from here?
As growth and diversity are two of the prime elements driving MBC’s ongoing debate about change there is an open invitation to everyone to come along to attend on Saturday, Sunday or both.
Farewell Cas – we’ll see you soon
Six years after taking over the role of MBC’s Children’s Worker Cas Stoodley has moved on to pastures new: well, she has and she hasn’t. Yes Cas has stepped down from paid employment here at Moortown but she’s certainly not leaving us.
In a number of ways you could say that in terms of mastering lots of new skills Cas’ new job, at Meanwood Church of England Primary School, isn’t a million miles away from her old one: particularly so as MBC’s links with the school go back many years through our Rewind to Christmas and Easter projects. One big difference, however, will be that this Christmas when sixty or so of Meanwood’s C of E’s Year 4 pupils hike up Stonegate Road Mrs Stoodley, not Cas, will be walking with them rather than waiting to greet them.
As Cas was joined at the front of church by an army of people who in one way or another had been a part of one her teams she was presented with a number of gifts. But as Graham was quick to point out it was typical of her to quickly turn the occasion on its head and after sharing a favourite poem to pray for the church and a smooth transition.
God bless you Cas. From all of us, young and old alike thank you for everything.
Three score years and ten… celebration time for six of MBC’s “more mature” members
If you Google The Wine Society, and on its excellent website search for the year 1948 you’ll be surprised by just how many different wines are still available to buy. The one I fancy most is a Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec, Domaine Heut. Why? Because according to the blurb it’s: “Almost tawny in colour, with copper highlights, but very much alive on the palate, with a refreshing pithy citrus note, long and fine on the finish. That life-giving acidity and concentration make for a cheeseboard treat. Some harmless sediment.“ Sadly, though, you will also see that seven decades after the Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Secgrapes’ grapes were harvested a 75cl bottle will cost you £245.00, or if you’ve really got a thirst £2,940.00 for a case of 12.
However, I’m glad to say there was no such extravagance on show when six of MBC congregation recently got together to celebrate their seventieth birthdays. Okay, so you could argue that six birthdays (there were more who couldn’t make it) in one year is nothing special… equally you could argue any excuse for a party!
Hosted by Karen and Dave Newell the Saturday evening soiree fulfilled every requirement for such a bespoke guest list: a start time which meant you weren’t eating too late, a finish time which meant you were home well before anyone in their teens had even set out and a beautifully balanced selection of food and drink which meant that no matter what medication you were on you didn’t need a supper.
The picture above shows the actual 1948 gang, left to right Nicky Gibb, Karen Newell, Jean Carlisle, Karen Ross, John Sherbourne and Mary Grayson whilst the one below includes partners who have either just passed or are approaching this significant milestone. These are: Gwynneth Sherbourne, Dave Newell and Michael Grayson. 
Why church?
Haddon Willmer recommends this feature by Dawn Foster, a Guardian columnist. The first paragraph is reproduced below
“Have you written a will?” my doctor asked, matter-of-factly, while taking my blood pressure last Saturday, in the same tone you’d use to ask someone whether it was raining outside. To a 30-year-old, outwardly healthy woman, the question felt odd. But I was leaning against the wall for support, having woken that morning crumpled in the well of my shower, choking on soapy water with no immediate memory of how I had got there, my head and ribcage feeling wrenched apart by an all-consuming pain. Speaking to paramedics over the phone had proved a challenge as my verbal skills were decimated, and holographic lights floated across my field of vision, turning the banal familiarity of my bathroom into an experience akin to a child’s kaleidoscope toy.
NEW WINE – 2 SPECIAL EVENTS
This autumn New Wine are holding two very special events. The first is on Saturday 13th October at Liverpool Cathedral and that’s a Men’s Day. The second, a Women’s Day takes place two weeks later that’s on October the 27th at Cathedral House in Huddersfield.
For more details speak with Richard Thompson or visit https://www.new-wine.org/events
Norman Hiley 1927 – 2018
It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Norman Hiley. Norman who was 91 passed away on Tuesday August 7th.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with Jean and with all Norman’s relatives and friends at this sad time.
Norman’s funeral will take place at MBC at 1pm on Thursday 30th August with refreshments to follow.
Gifts in memory of Norman are for MBC Romanian Aid Fund, the account number is 56170607, sort code 05-01-26 with Yorkshire Bank. Norman was involved in the support a number of mission initiatives in Romania and visited on many occasions.
Say hello to Carole Smith – MBC’s new Seniors’ Worker
Carole Smith, MBC’s newly appointed Seniors’ Worker was born and brought up in Essex. However, having lived in Leeds since 1995, she considers herself well and truly settled and at home in Yorkshire!
Carole, who trained and worked as an occupational therapist, has been a member at Chapel A Baptist Church for ten years. She sees her new job as the perfect way to use her skills and build relationships with senior people and volunteer teams alike.
Although her official starting date is in early September Carole has already been familiarising herself with MBC’s Lunch Club programme initially as a volunteer and then working alongside the regular team on a sessional basis for several weeks.
‘Lunch club is wonderful,” says Carole, “particularly so as its members are drawn from both here at Moortown Baptist Church and from our wider community. It provides a valuable opportunity for people to spend time together, and to take part in activities and conversations of interest to them – as well as enjoying a delicious lunch of course! I hope to build on the fantastic work which MBC does in valuing the roles of seniors and appreciating them for who they are’.