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Despite a bomb scare taking us all by surprise Krys’s Table Top Sale still raises over £750

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Last week Krystyna Gadd’s Table Top Sale (that’s Krys above) was a brilliant if somewhat bizarre event.* With all fourteen tables let, on show was a wonderfully eclectic mix of novelty gifts and crafts.
 
These ranged from bric-a-brac to high end glass crafted items, from weaving to knitting and crochet, and from quilled items such as cards and pictures. We also had a sweet stall selling not only sweets but Christmas wreaths! One lady had made and was selling some beautiful scented products such as melts, lotions and room scents. Tricia Bainbridge was there showing her late husbands art work. And for children there was hair braiding, face-painting and henna. 
 
* Following brisk footfall in the morning, sadly, in the afternoon a sudden incident involving police and a bomb disposal team led to many of the roads around MBC either being congested or indeed closed.
  
However, as many of the folk who couldn’t get here in person still donated to the cause the total so far reached from the sale has topped £785 – a remarkable sum when you consider that £700 covers one month’s food for fifty girls and eight infants.
 
If, though you yourself would like to donate then you still can by using Krys Gadd’s Just Giving page which you can reach via the link below. 
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“It was, says Krys “a lot of work but having seen the work of the Woman’s’ Development centre for myself I know that this is such a worthwhile cause. The girls we support live in the refuge in Kandy, Sri Lanka and many have been subjected to gender based violence, something that is not recognised in their country as being serious. The refuge is their escape to a new life free from abuse. However, it is not simply a refuge, no, it’s a home that’s filled with love, somewhere where they get to complete their studies and vitally discover ways to support themselves.”

Krys adds “It was in April 2024 that I went out to help the girls improve their weaving skills, having sent out 13 looms in April 2020, at the start of the Covid lockdown.  Through Just Giving, Their Future Today, this UK based charity is the project which is providing a large portion of funding to the WDC”.

“I plan to go out again in 2025 but ahead of my trip I want to raise some much needed funds purely to help the girls, even with such basic needs as buying groceries”.

“I would love to post pictures of the girls, but they are in a secret location for their own protection and anything on social media may lead to their abusers finding them”.

Please see some more images from the day below

13th September – Shelley’s weekly message

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Dear Friends

On Tuesday, people shared some of the things going on in our church community, in Moortown, Leeds and further afield.  We heard good news, concerns, and personal stories as well as some decision making too.  The minutes will be available next week if you missed it.

God has called us ‘a city on a hill’ (Matthew 5:14) to be a community of light.  That’s why Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians…

“…Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”  (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Paul writes this ‘as a prisoner’ so he was well aware there are times when we may not feel part of that community due to distance of some kind, but Paul knew he was part of it and our calling as Christians is worked out with others in mind.  To bear with others, suggests patience and time.

The result is that all are honoured whether they play a big part or a small part.

“But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)

As we move into the Autumn, we continue to walk alongside each other. Let’s pray for every part, those who are at a distance in some way and those who are right in the middle of something.  Pray that God will continue to raise leaders in our church to work alongside all ages.

Here are a few things ‘the body’ are doing this week…

This Sunday we continue in John’s gospel with a story with similarities to the woman at the well.  Its John 6:1-15 and all ages will be in the room with activities for our younger friends.  We will also share communion.  We start at 11am in the building and on YouTube.

Rock Solid youth are back together again on Sunday evening at 7pm-8pm.

It’s the final instalment of the prayer course this Sunday.  See website  Prayer Course – see Krys Gadd for details – Moortown Baptist Church  This week it’s a Zoom meeting at 7.30pm.  Details from Krys or ask a deacon on Sunday.  As the last one is a Zoom, anyone who has joined at some point is invited to meet face to face to chat/pray on the 6th October after church.

Tomorrow, 14th September, it’s the tabletop sale, full of carefully made crafts as well as drinks and cake,  you can also get your face painted or hair braided by experts!  Its 10.30-2.30pm in church. Table Top Sale – 14th September – Moortown Baptist Church

On Monday 16th September it’s Beacon warm welcome café.

On Tuesday 17th September it’s Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their carers.  We had a busy but fun first week last week.  Contact Lesley if you are new and would like to come.

Tuesday afternoon House Group in church, see Rod or Howard

Wednesday lunch club for those booked in (see Rachel Beedle for details)

Wednesday worship at 1.30pm, all welcome for half and hour together, this week’s theme, God in the storm.

Wednesday night House Group in church, see Shelley this week for more details.  7.30pm

Bible study in church at 7pm (see Gareth or ask Lesley/Shelley/deacon for details).

Friday evening House Group starts at 8pm on Friday.  See Hilary/Jonathan or Steve/Helen or ask Lesley/Shelley/A Deacon for more details.

On the 29th September we’ll be celebrating a baptism in church!  If you would like to be baptised on that day too then do get in touch with me (or contact Lesley in the office to get hold of me) for a chat.

October café church, 6th October, will be our harvest and thanks service at 11am.  All welcome!  We are collecting food for North Leeds food bank and money donations for Caring for life but more details this week.

Some other things happening in Leeds..

“Dance, music and praise in Leeds City Centre!
We’re gathering children and young people from Leeds to be part of this exciting event. There will also be a live band!
Our hope is that people in Leeds and beyond will be able to witness a tangible expression of joy and hope that leads them to God’s love.”

And beyond…
http://worldinprayer.org Lots of prayer resources connected to world news to help us pray across the world at the moment…

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring
Minister

Shelley (and Daisy) join thousands more runners as they line up for the Great North Run

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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

Update : Table Top Sale – 14th September

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In less than 2 week’s time on the 14 th of September we are holding a table top sale in aid of a refuge run by the Women’s Development centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka. We are hoping that it will be a great family event with something for everyone: young, older and the young at heart.
To give you an idea of what to expect, there will be handcrafted items including:
 Cards
 Woven items
 Soaps
 Fused glass
And many more things…

For the young at heart there will be a stall manned by some of our youth selling something no house should be without – SLIME!!

There will also be face painting, hair braiding and henna artists should you wish to spoil yourself a little. There is also a stall selling a wide selection of sweets.

There will be a café and the proceeds of that will go to the church. So come along, have a cuppa and a cake, get your hair braided or painted and join in on a fantastically fun day.

Doors open at 10:20 and close at 2:30pm. There will be a raffle with some great prizes. Entrance fee is £1 only and children are free.

Please tell your friends, family and neighbours!

30th August – Shelley’s weekly message

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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

 

Florin and Dana Fodor bring us up to date with a message from Romania

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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

21.08.24 – Lunch Club meets Rock Solid

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Last Wednesday, in what may well be a first, two of MBC’s longest running projects – Lunch Club and Rock Solid –  came together to play curling, bingo and dominoes. Joined by two of the youth team’s leaders, that’s Val and Adam, the group also shared lunch together.  

“It was a great fun” said Adam, “enjoyed by both young and old and definitely something we’d love to do again.”  

A big thank you to all who made it happen.

 

Table Top Sale – 14th September

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Table Top sale at MBC in Aid of the Girls at the Women’s Development Centre, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
This will be on Saturday 14th September  from 10:30 until 14:30.
It costs £10 to book a table, and there will be a £1 entrance fee for the sale.
To book your table please contact Lesley Murphy, MBC Administrator on 0113 2693750.

Shelley’s weekly message – 24 August

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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

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