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Now it’s definitely looking a lot like Christmas as Santa visits Stepping Stones

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Last Tuesday and at the start of what for Father Christmas has to be the busiest part of the year, one thing he made sure he didn’t miss was his annual visit to MBC’s Stepping Stones.

For the thirty or so toddlers that were there – some nearly bursting with excitement, others not quite so sure the arrival of Santa meant that all those stories they’d heard of a man with a big white beard, a red suit and lots and lots of gifts weren’t nonsense after all. 

After a story from Diane which told all about the first Christmas and some lovely singing it was time for Santa to give our the presents. It would be lovely to think that everyone who was there will remember this special day for the rest of their lives. Sadly, however, I doubt that will be the case; but never mind there’s always some pictures to jog the memory.

Many thanks to all the Stepping Stones team, week in and week out you are all doing a fantastic job. Long may this very special ministry continue.       

  

You’re chance to ENGAGE with BMS

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From Myanmar to Ukraine and from Afghanistan to Chad the latest BMS magazine ENGAGE is out now. And once again it really does show the length, breath, height and depth of this wonderful organisation’s work. 

Like every other ENGAGE mag that you have delivered by post this one, the 64th issue comes complete with a Prayer Guide which on page 8 (that’s W/C Sunday February 1st to Saturday the 7th) relates to our Chad based BMS Mission Partners Andrea and Mark Hotchkin. 

You can find out all about Baptist World Mission, and the other ways you can support it by either visiting www.bmsworldmission.org or by speaking to Roger Robson. 

MBC’s new website – we’re getting there, albeit rather slowly

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For the last six months I have been out and about taking photographs of many of MBC’s projects, services and activities. These range from Stepping Stones, our Tuesday morning toddler group to Wednesday’s Seniors Lunch Club. The main reason being that when we do finally get the go-ahead to update our current website we will have some bright, up to date images on which to base it. 

The exercise, that I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed showed me that even after my fifty or so years of being associated with MBC the range of issues we embrace is as wide as the sky.

Rather, however, than have you wait to see these pictures on line, this last week Martyn Gray has done a wonderful job in not only blowing the dust off and resurrecting the two monitors we have (one in the foyer, the other in the meeting area) but he’s also managed to load more than thirty of my images on to them.

If anyone has any comments about the pictures, or if you simply want to know more about any of the subjects they illustrate please get in touch with me at mbcnewspics@gmail.com   

Shelley’s friendly update for Sunday 7th December

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Dear friends

It’s all about the number 7 tomorrow as we continue our advent theme of Wonder! We meet on the 7th day of December for our all-age Advent café church with songs, word, prayer, crafts and breakfast snacks at 11am.  It’s also the day Kevin Sinfield completes his 7th ultra marathon in 7 days to raise money for the Motor Neuron Disease Association and in memory of his friend and former rugby colleague Rob Burrows.  The money will also contribute towards the Leeds Motor Neuron Disease research centre at Seacroft. Rob wore the number 7 on his rugby top when he played for Leeds Rugby League. 

In the bible, the number seven is connected to themes of completion, fulfilment of promises and healing.  Some examples include the number seven in relation to the creation story in Genesis, also the seven statements given by Jesus on the cross, the seven metaphors Jesus used to describe himself such as ‘light of the world’, the cancelling of debts every seven years by the people of Israel and the discussion on forgiveness that Jesus had with his friends.  There are more!  As we continue in our advent journey may these themes help us pray and open our eyes to God’s healing, forgiveness and fulfilment of promises in our communities and those further afield in a broken world.

The week ahead..

Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ Advent 2: Peace, 11-12midday followed by a Christmas community café with live music, dance and refreshments 12.45-2.45pm.  Kevin Sinfield will be stopping at MBC at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please stay to cheer him in, join the Christmas café, invite some people along, then wave Kevin off as he runs onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash.  More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge.  There will be extra parking over the road at the nursery, look out for our volunteers in high vis jackets who are here to help and have a plan!

In the evening Rock Solid youth meet 7-8pm in the building

Monday 8th December 10-12 Beacon warm welcome space and café in the building

Tuesday 9th December Stepping Stones Christmas party for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents, and carers.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.

Tuesday 9th December afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley

Wednesday 10th December Lunch club for those who attend and volunteers.  Speak to Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 10th December 1.30-2pm Christmas Wednesday Worship

Wednesday 10th December House group with Dianne.  Speak to Diane or ask Lesley or Shelley for more information.

Thursday 11th December 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.

Thursday 11th December Bible study at 7pm, see Gareth G or ask Lesley.

Friday 12th December Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.

Friday 12th December House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.

Sunday 14th December 11 o clock service with communion, Advent 3:Joy with group for our younger friends to creatively explore the theme.  There will be an opportunity to sing carols in a local home for the elderly after the service (please bring your lunch if you want to eat in between the service and carol singing to keep your energy up!) Speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information. 

3-5pm we’ll host a Wreath Making workshop in the Sanctuary.  It’s £10 per wreath and everything is provided including natural and non-natural materials, Christmas refreshments and music.  Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult.  Booking is essential.  Please contact Lesley in the office admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk Places are now limited so do check with Lesley to book a place.  All welcome so do invite people and get them booked in.

A big thank you to all those who came to decorate the church building over the last few days ready for Christmas. We have working information screens now too in the foyer and meeting room showing many aspects of church life, so a big thankyou to all who have worked on this for a while.  There has been many other things going on behind the scenes that contribute to our physical and online presence together as a community and further afield.  Thank you all.  A thought for the day throughout advent goes out on our facebook page and the website is updated with all the new stories of the week. 

Do pick up a ‘wonder’ card in church to keep and one to give out.  It’s also available here www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

In December..

Monday 15th December after beacon, the hampers are being packed in the music room.  Please make sure you have brought in contributions by then.  Thanks to all who have brought things in.

Sunday 21st December is our All Age nativity (Advent 4) 11-12 midday.

Monday 22nd December Christmas Beacon and warm welcome space with Christmas crafts and snacks for all ages from 10-12midday.

Wednesday 24th December at 4.30-5.15pm it’s the All Age Christingle Service

Thursday 25th December 10.30-11.30am All Age Christmas Day Service

Sunday 28th December 11-12 Service together

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

How kind. A really generous gift boosts our Beacon wellbeing hampers

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Responding to an enquiry that Sophie made, The Little Bookshop which you’ll find in Chapel Allerton has kindly donated two boxes of books which we will give out along with food and toiletries in our Beacon Christmas hampers. 

From everyone here at MBC we say a huge thank you to everyone at the bookshop, and wish you all a very happy Christmas. 

Here’s how The Little Bookshop‘s website describes itself… 

Opening our doors to our first location in October 2017, The Little Bookshop is a place to explore literature and illustration with the whole family. We are dedicated to sourcing a diverse range of inclusive books and bringing them together at both our locations, the second of which we opened November 2023. We deliver special books all over the UK, from our shop at 47 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton and in Craven Court, Skipton.

The picture above shows Shelley and Sophie picking up the books. 

Wishing uke a very happy Christmas

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If over the next few weeks you get stuck remembering the words to The Twelve Days of Christmas, worry not, just ask one of our Lunch Club Seniors. The reason I suggest this is because last Wednesday Rachel and the gang welcomed The Meanwood Institukes… a ukulele band from just down the road who featured this traditional and much loved song in their repertoire. 

All dressed up in their festive best the band led a singalong of carols and songs which went down a treat. 

Well done Rachel, well done our Seniors but a special well done to our musicians.   

 

Surgeons Mark and Andrea Hotchkin tell us just how important MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is to their ministry

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For long-serving partners Mark and Andrea Hotchkin, MAF flights don’t just save time, but are instrumental in enabling their mission.

Mark and Andrea Hotchkin have worked as medical missionaries in remote northern Chad since 2010. Both trained in the UK – Andrea in obstetrics and gynaecology, Mark in general surgery and emergency medicine.

‘My wife will do caesarean sections, and I’ll treat people who’ve been shot in the abdomen, limbs, and sometimes the chest,’ explains Mark.

‘We work with Chadian doctors and nurses to deliver care, but also train people so that standards can be improved.’

Mark and Andrea have spent the last seven years serving in Bardaï. Surrounded by rocks and sand, it’s an isolated town in the Tibesti Mountains, deep in the Sahara Desert. Sent by BMS World Mission, they collaborate with The Evangelical Alliance Mission and local NGO, Association for Development and Peace.

Mark has made the road journey from N’Djamena to Bardaï by road on a couple of occasions since 2017. It’s a four-day trip which initially involves driving through the Sahel – semi-arid scrubland – and then getting into the large, hot Sahara.

‘The final day,’ he notes, ‘is spent climbing through the mountains at about 20km an hour maximum, often just at walking pace. The total distance is about 1,700km.

‘As we make the journey to and from Bardaï about twice a year, we’re very grateful to have MAF fly us there in less than six hours.’

The hospital where Mark and Andrea work is the only one in the entire province, serving a local population of around 50,000 people, along with an additional 100,000 ‘gold diggers’ who’ve settled in the region over the past 15 years.

The nearest hospital to theirs is 850km away – a journey that takes days over rough terrain.

Since then, Mark and Andrea’s work has expanded beyond medicine. Their team supports literacy and language development among the local Teda-speaking population, whose culture is being rapidly reshaped by the arrival of gold mining.

Looking ahead, Mark and Andrea hope to continue their work for another three or four years. But they’re also preparing for who might follow them.

‘It’s difficult for staff to come from the south of Chad to work in the north,’ Mark says.

‘Many who are sent simply don’t come. It would seem to be an impossible dream, but if one day they could fly like we do with MAF, that would be a great thing!’

Please remember Mark and Andrea in your prayers, particularly for safety for the missionaries serving in northern Chad. That Mark and Andrea will find people who are willing to follow in their footsteps and bring healthcare to Bardaï. And for MAF to find more people and organisations with whom they can partner so they can aid development in northern Chad.

Many thanks to David Casson for passing this MAF Prayer Letter on to us. 

Shelley’s friendly update – 30th November

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Dear friends,

Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of the coming King.  It’s a reminder of Jesus first arrival on earth as well as a second arrival that is to come. Stories of advent span the whole of the bible and beyond as we look backwards and forwards at how God loves and moves through time and through people.  For those of you who like time travelling stories and films in different time frames, Advent is a good one to wonder about and to think about what God has for us in this season. 

So, we start tomorrow with Advent Part 1: Hope and the wonderful plan.  We meet at 11am in the building and online and there will be a group for our younger friends to explore the same theme during the message part of the service. The first part of the service will introduce the theme for all.  Thankyou to Susan for the advent ring.

In the evening, Rock Solid youth meet at 7-8pm in the building.  Thanks to all those leading and praying for our youth groups and families.  If you are interested, then do let me or one of the leaders know.

We’ll have the first batch of MBC Christmas cards to give out tomorrow too so do pick one up to keep or give away.  All details are now on the website.

The week ahead..

  • Monday 1st December 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome space and café in the building
  • Monday 1st December 7.30pm Staff and deacons Christmas get together
  • Tuesday 2nd December Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents, and carers.  See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.
  • Tuesday 2nd December afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley
  • Wednesday 3rd December Lunch club for those who attend and volunteers.  Speak to Lesley for more information.
  • Wednesday 3rd December 7.30pm Hybrid bible study moves to Harewood this week Speak to Ruth or Andy B or Shelley.
  • Wednesday 3rd December House group with Dianne.  Speak to Diane or ask Lesley or Shelley for more information.
  • Thursday 4th December 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building.  Do pop in and say hello.  Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.
  • Thursday 4th December Bible study at 7pm, see Gareth G or ask Lesley.
  • Friday 5th December Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church.  See Shelley for more information.
  • Friday 5th December House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O.  Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.
  • Friday 5th December Decorate the church at teatime ready for Christmas.  If you are around through the week and would like to make the church look Christmassy in anyway then do let Karen, Lesley or myself know as we would love some help.
  • Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ (Advent 2: Hope) 11-12midday followed by a Christmas community café with live music, dance and refreshments 12.45-2.45pm.  Kevin Sinfield will be stopping at MBC at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please stay to cheer him in, join the Christmas café, invite some people along, then wave Kevin off as he runs onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash.  More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge.  There will be extra parking over the road at the nursery, look out for our volunteers in high vis jackets who are here to help and have a plan!

More for Advent and Christmas..

  • Wednesday 10th December 1.30-2pm Advent Wednesday Worship
  • Sunday 14th December 11 o clock service with communion (Advent 3) and group for our younger friends to creatively explore the theme.  There will be an opportunity to sing carols in a local home for the elderly after the service (please bring your lunch if you want to eat in between the service and carol singing to keep your energy up!) Speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information. 
  • Then at 3-5pm we’ll host a Wreath Making workshop in the Sanctuary.  It’s £10 per wreath and everything is provided including natural and non-natural materials, Christmas refreshments and music.  Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult.  Booking is essential.  Please contact Lesley in the office admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk Thanks to those who have booked in so far.
  • Sunday 21st December is our All Age nativity (Advent 4) 11-12 midday.
  • Monday 22nd December Christmas Beacon and warm welcome space with Christmas crafts and snacks for all ages from 10-12midday.
  • Wednesday 24th December at 4.30-5.15pm it’s the All Age Christingle Service
  • Thursday 25th December 10.30-11.30am All Age Christmas Day Service
  • Sunday 28th December 11-12 Service together

If you would like to get involved by doing a reading, saying a prayer, welcoming, helping with refreshments do let myself or Lesley or one of the deacons know or Karen if it’s about refreshments.  You don’t need to be in a team yet, just come and have a chat.  Or of you aren’t sure have a chat anyway, we’d love to involve you somehow. 

We are putting together some hampers again to give to those who use the food pantry at Christmas and to those who we think would appreciate a hamper connected to any group over the Christmas season.  We are looking at Christmas themed snacks and food, new woolly socks and hats, shower gel.  A few children’s gifts such as stationary, pens.  Please place them under the tree on 7th December.  We have had a wonderful donation of books from the Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton.  Thanks to Sophie for helping with this.     

Do check out the website and face book page to see what’s been going on this week and what’s coming up!  www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk  

Isaiah 9:6-7:”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

In Christ

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Keeping well in winter. AGE UK visits our Seniors Lunch Club

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On the theme of Winter Wellness, this last week MBC’s Seniors Lunch Club had a visit from Maria, Jacqui, and Christine from Age UK Leeds.  

If you or anyone you know needs to contact AGE UK, Leeds you can by calling 0113 389 3000 between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. Or alternatively there’s a direct link to AGE UK, Leeds’ website right HERE

Back in the UK, it was a very real pleasure to welcome to MBC our BMS Mission Partners Mark and Andrea Hotchkin

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MBC’s support for the BMS World Mission goes back more than seven decades. And that support hasn’t just been monetary. No, as far back as 1960 MBC members Dr Michael Flowers and his wife June were accepted for service in East Pakistan and since then this church has supplied an almost uninterrupted stream of men and women who following their call have served far and wide. 

Like Michael, our current Mission Partners are also in the medical profession. They are husband and wife Mark and Andrea Hotchkin; Mark is a specialists in emergency medicine, Andrea in  obstetrics and gynaecology. Normally their workplace is a hospital in Bardai, Chad, a small town on the very edge of the Sahara Desert. 

Back in the UK until next February, the couple are planning to spend time with family and friends ahead of Mark undergoing ongoing tests to confirm his heart is still behaving exactly as it should. 

The illustrated talk they gave today at MBC was as heartening as it was alarming. With regular stabbings and shootings keeping Mark busy, and with Andrea’s work being thwarted by either the cost or the lack of specific medicines it seems to the outsider that there must surely be an easier way of earning a living. But that’s the point. To Mark and Andrea where they are, the fact they live in a mud and breezeblock home and what they are doing isn’t their choice, no, it’s an answer to a call, a call from God. 

Although I’ve just told you that Mark and Andrea are based in Bardai, concern about Mark’s heart has forced the couple to move some 650 miles south to work, learn and teach in the country’s capital N’Djamena. 

That after all this time MBC continues to support BMS World Mission is not only something to be proud of, it is following Mark and Andrea’s visit a very tangible reminder that every prayer we pray and every penny we donate really, really counts. 

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