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Hi, Shelley’s message for week commencing Sunday 11th of January

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Dear friends

Blessings at the start of January 2026

Here are the main things going on next week…

Sunday 11th January 11am Service with group for our younger friends followed by cake and drinks for everyone!  Service focus follows on from last week with Matthew 2: 13-23

Sunday 11th January 7-8pm Rock Solid youth group in church. 

Monday 12th January Beacon Warm Welcome Space 10.00am – 12.00pm – everyone welcome.  The Lord pantry will be available during this time.

Just to let you know that at the same time as Beacon café we will be hosting Ed Whiting, Leeds City Council Chief Executive – 10.00 – 10.15am as he meets Leeds City Council employees in the Moortown area.

Tuesday 13th Tuesday Steppingstones Group for under 5’s and parents and carers – 10.00 – 11.30am, speak to Diane S or Hilary D.

Tuesday 13th January House Group in the music Room 12.30 – 2.30pm, speak to Howard Dews

Tuesday 13th January Living Local Hub Craft Group 1.00 – 3.00pm in the meeting area.  We are hosting this group for a couple of weeks whilst the roof is repaired at Living Local Hub.  It’s an open group so any of you are welcome to go along.

Wednesday 14th January Lunch Club for those in the club and volunteers 10.15am – 1.15pm speak to Rachel or Lesley for more information.

Wednesday 14th January House group in the church building and on zoom 7.30 – 9.30pm Andy B and Ruth B can give more information if you are interested.

Thursday 15th January Warm Welcome Craft Group in the music room 2.00 – 4.00pm Contact Karen R or Lesley/ Shelley for more information.

Thursday 15th January Bible Study in the music room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley for more information.

Friday 16th January Bible Study in the music room 10.00 – 11.00am – talk to Shelley for more information

Friday 16th January House group at 8pm See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen O

Sunday 18th January Service with Communion and creative group for our younger friends 11.00 – 12.00pm

Sunday 18th January Rock Solid Youth Group 7.00 – 8.00pm

Also coming up…

Wednesday 21st January – PACT Meeting (Policing and Communities together, Moortown area) 6.30 – 7.15pm in the music room.  All welcome to share and hear what’s going on in our community in terms of concerns and positives in the local area.

Wednesday 21st January Wednesday worship at 1.30-2pm

Thursday 22nd January  LJHA Women’s Self Defense Group –  1.00 – 5.00pm Sports Hall Do ask Lesley or Shelley for more information.

Wednesday 28th January Creative Psalm Writing  7.00 – 9.00pm in the Sports Hall in the church building.  See Krys and Cas for more information.  Anyone welcome, you don’t need to feel you are creative or an artist but do come and be open with a guided workshop using image and words. All resources provided.

A couple of you have mentioned some UK prayer initiatives in January…

Turn the Battle A national 3 days of prayer and fasting supported by the Evangelical Alliance and others including the Send, HTB… see here.. Team — Turn the Battle

And

A month of prayer organised by National Day of Prayer and Worship.  Click at the link below..

NDOPW – National Day Of Prayer and Worship

Church meeting dates are being finalized and will be out for the year in the next 2 weeks.

Next Monday to Wednesday, myself and some of the deacons will be at Fresh Streams Leadership Conference in Staffordshire.  We will be praying for the church as we did last Tuesday at our deacons meeting and looking to learn and share with others over the next few days.  You can find out more about the conference here Awaken Leadership Conference 2026 — Fresh Streams | Rooted. Alive. Together – Giving Courage!

There have been many things going on in our world locally and globally that we will be praying about, weeping over and asking for Gods wisdom on. This is as well as all the joys we see, the moments we are grateful for, every act of love and there is often more of this than we will ever know. We seek God’s face intentionally in 2026 and look to Jesus as we follow Him this year.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

Hebrews 6:19

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

At the start of a new year, a timely reminder that as followers of Jesus its not just Him, but we too who need to bring light to the world

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As the old year made way for the new our last Sunday service of 2025 reminded us that what we had just celebrated wasn’t simply the update of an age old tradition in which for many people Mary and Joseph, a bunch of shepherds and three learned stargazers have all but given way to the “joy” of exchanging Amazon vouchers, Pokemon and Secret Santas. No, what we were being reminded was that what we had all so recently celebrated was, is and always will be the day Jesus was born; Jesus – the light of the world. 

To demonstrate this seemingly simply yet enigmatic truth, Cas, in typical Cas style, set about creating a picture by squirting a single blob of white acrylic onto the top right hand corner of an inky blue canvas and randomly brushing shards of “light” into the dark world. 

Either side of Cas’s contribution were songs, readings and prayers all making the overriding message of the service as plain as the nose on your face: yes Jesus is the light of the world but as His followers we too need to be beacons of grace, hope and most especially light.

The service also featured a video about a renowned sculptor called Nic Fiddian – Green. Fiddian- Green excels in two fields. Firstly he’s an expert in sculpting horses heads, and secondly for crafting and casting personal depictions of how throughout his life Jesus might have looked and felt anytime, anywhere and in any particular circumstance.   

There are a couple of links here which I would encourage you to look at. The first is to the short video that was shown in church about the sculptor https://vimeo.com/1129579468?fl=pl&fe=sh   and the second is to MBC’s YouTube channel on which you can watch our entire service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHz5u4vFTIs&t=1826she

To MBC, Howard Dews shares new year greetings from Mănăștur

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A message from Liviu Marin, secretariat Biserica Creștină Baptistă nr. 1 Mănăștur Cluj-Napoca, Biserică Baptistă Mănăștur.

We wish you a blessed New Year, filled with peace and joy! Thank you for all the support you have given this year to the various ministries of our church. 

We pray that God will reward you and bless the work you are doing in His service.

In the following lines, we share messages of gratitude from the young people/students who have benefited this year from the support you provide.

May God bless you and richly reward you!.. “For God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Dear Mrs. /Miss,

My name is Izra FINFIN. I am from Haiti and I am a student in Computer Science, specializing in Automation of Applied Informatics (AIA), in my second year at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. I am also a member of BBM (Biserică Baptistă Mănăștur).

You may not fully realize what you have done for me, but I know that God used your heart at the right moment. That is why I thank you with all my heart. Your help means much more to me than I ever expected to receive this month.

Thank you so much. I believe that God will protect you and your family and bless you every day with His goodness.

Please receive these simple words as a sign of my gratitude.

Sincerely,

Izra FINFI

Dear church in Leeds,

We thank you deeply for you generosity!

In this 6 years of marriage, me and my wife saw the mighty hand of God who always provided for us beyond our shortcomings. In this year, although we’ve encountered financial problems and there were months without revenue, we’ve been blessed beyond any expectation!

When we heard about your generous gift we were filled with gratitude and joy and tears filled our eyes because we know that this is part of God’s grace. So there’s not much to say, but we give thanks to the Lord!

I (Gabriel) have fond memories of Norman Hiley who was many times at my parents home when I was still a boy. His memory still lingers with us and we are glad for his beautiful legacy.

Our salute to you is from Hebrews 13:7-8, which says: ‘Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘

May God fill you with abundance and in this days of apostasy (in which most churches are more concerned with entertainment and organizing, than Jesus), may He found you strong and Holy!

With gratitude,

Gabriel and Daniela Cosman

Dear brothers and sisters,

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the financial support I have received. Your help is a great blessing to me and an important support in continuing my studies.

My name is Marin Andrei, I am a first-year student in Pastoral Theology at Emanuel University of Oradea, and a member of the Cluj-Mănăștur Baptist Christian Church. Through your generosity, I am able to devote myself with greater peace of mind to my preparation for serving the Lord.

May God reward you and bless you!

With gratitude,
Marin Andrei

 

For just two weeks our online Newsletter is taking a break. But not before we’ve shown you these images from our wonderful Christingle Service

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A bit like Santa, when it comes to the end of the year those of us that look after our Facebook page, our newsletter and the MBC website need a bit of a break. 

That’s why between now and the second week in January, that’s week commencing January 11th, we’re having a digital detox. 

That said, it would be remiss of us if we didn’t share these pictures with you that were taken this afternoon at today’s Christingle. 

Happy Christmas everyone, see you in 2026.

Wow that really was some build up to Christmas 2025. Here’s our look back at Advent.

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www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Right the way through Advent, MBC has either taken part in or hosted almost a dozen Christmas events. 

From Kevin Sinfield’s 7 in 7 visit on the 7th of December through to today’s Christingle we have embraced a whole raft of events including: a wreath making workshop, Santa’s visit to our Stepping Stones party, a nativity that at times bore an amazing resemblance to a panto, Lunch Club’s Christmas dinner, carol singing in a local care home, Rock Solid’s end of term bash,  umpteen Beacon Cafe’s and finally today a wonderful Christingle Service.   

It goes without saying that each of these festive celebrations are available on the MBC website, in fact you can see a taster for each of them at the top of this post. 

But stepping away from the website, and definitely closer to the true meaning of Christmas we have on every single day throughout Advent, put a special post on Facebook – many featuring pictures taken here at MBC. 

Again you can see a selection of them in the gallery below. 

So, with Advent now behind us all that’s left for us to say is please, please do come and join us at 10.30am tomorrow in church or on YouTube to celebrate Jesus’s birth. 

www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Shelley’s Christmas message

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Dear friends

We look forward to joining together in person and online as we share the story of the first Christmas together over the next few days. Tomorrow is the all-age nativity with carols so do come along and bring your friends and family. We’ll be lighting candle number 4 in our advent ring. On Monday everyone is welcome to bob into the Christmas café at Beacon with Christmas crafts for all ages!  On Wednesday we join together for a candle lit all age Christingle service and on Thursday we celebrate Jesus birthday.  We meet again together next Sunday for a short Christmas service together.

Sunday 21st December All Age nativity with carols Advent 4: Love 11-12 midday.  

Monday 22nd December All age Christmas Beacon and warm welcome space with Christmas crafts and Christmas snacks from 10-12 midday.  

The funeral of Micheal Riches will take place at 1pm in the Sanctuary followed by refreshments in church.  All those who would like to go are welcome. The family are encouraging those going to wear red and green.

Wednesday 24th December 4.30-5.15pm All Age candle lit Christingle Service with carols

Thursday 25th December 10.30-11.30am All Age Christmas Day Service  (note the slightly earlier start!)  Bring a present to open or show!

Sunday 28th December 11-11.45 All age service together ‘Wonder part 5’

No Beacon café, stepping stones, lunch club or craft group during the week of the 29th December.

Sunday 4th January New year café church ‘Star of wonder Part 6’

Groups begin again this week including Beacon café, craft group, lunch club, Stepping Stones and house groups/bible studies.

There are a few ‘wonder’ cards left in church so do pick some up to give out this week!

The card is also available online at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk Please come and support us as we open the doors to many who don’t usually come to the church building.  Our services have also been advertised online.

An advent ‘thought for the day’ is going out every day on our Facebook page each day so do have a look and share the journey.  The website is updated with all the new stories of the week as well as some articles written by people in the church.  We share many of these on social media too across our local communities.   

Thankyou to all those who came along last week and supported in all sorts of ways from the carol singing, wreath making, children and youth Christmas parties, lunchclub Christmas and all those who are supporting our activities in prayer.  Hampers have kindly been put together from all your wonderful donations and the beacon team and staff will be helping to give these out on Monday and throughout next week.  Many of our housegroups and bible studies have finished for a small break, but we want to thank all those who contribute and share in these throughout the year as they are such an important part of discipleship and fellowship.

We continue to pray and visit those who are unwell at the moment, and we miss those who haven’t been able to join in some of the fellowship in person due to illness or bereavement.  We know the church is the people, so do keep in touch with each other and continue to let us know if people might benefit from prayer, support or a visit.  Equally if there is something you want to get involved in then do let us know.  If you can’t find myself or a group leader, then do send a message to Lesley to pass on.

Many blessings

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

As predicted today’s nativity service was as comical as it was meaningful

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You’d think by now, that after all these years of trying that just once in a while we’d get the nativity story right. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. Yes we manage to tell the story in the correct order, and more or less on cue our angels, shepherds, sheep and wise men each acted out their parts as best they could. 

However, and here I’m not naming names but whoever it was that was in charge of central casting had forgotten one vital component… they’d neglected to recruit someone to play Mary! 

Fortunately following a fair bit of cajolling from the congregation someone did eventually step up and with much aplomb took on this not insignificant part.

In the end, as always, Jesus was born, everyone congratulated each other on managing to blag their way through another production and following a hearty rendition of Oh Come all ye Faithful the costumes were packed away until next year. 

  

Season’s greetings from a very Christmassy Lunch Club

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Whoever it was that first coined the phrase “act your age not your shoe size” clearly didn’t have MBC’s Lunch Club in mind. Then again maybe they did, but if so, had they taken any notice of him or her today’s Christmas Lunch Club would have been a much more dowdy affair than it was.

With Christmas jumpers, hats and trees, reindeer ears and even flashing lights all adding to the already joyful mood, the balance of seasonal quizzes and carols rounded off with a wonderful lunch was absolutely top notch. 

It’s sometimes all too easy to forget just what a blessing Lunch Club is to many of our Seniors. As one said to me this morning “If it wasn’t for Rachel and the team, life would be a real struggle. Thank God that at least once a week I get to come here and meet up with my friends.

      

  

The holly and the ivy, not forgetting the baubles the bangles and the beads combine to make our wreath making workshop a huge success

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There are few events that can bring together two, three, or possibly even four generations quite like MBC’s annual wreath making workshop. But once again that’s precisely what happened here at Moortown last Sunday. 

Starting with exactly the same raw material (that’s with a round twelve inch mossy covered frame) and with exactly the same choice of decorations to choose from (fern, holly, dried fruit and red berries etc) the forty or so enthusiasts that joined us not only had the time of their lives but designed some really fantastic creations. 

To witness the expertise with which  our visitors handled their secuteres, and to marvel at their speed as they bound their growing designs with near invisible wire was truly amazing. 

Well done to you all, particularly to those of you that staged it. 

#community  

From carolling in a care home to our very own Rock Solid party MBC spreads some Christmas cheer

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For the residents of Grove Park Care Home in Meanwood a recent visit from a group of carol singers from MBC was we would hope the perfect way to prepare for Christmas.

Our choristers, young and old returned full of praise and enthusiasm, even reporting that they had been invited back to Grove Park next year. 

Later that same day it was also the time for our Rock Solid youngsters to party. Adam Argyle who is a member of the team, tells me that they played some good “old fashioned” games such as pass the parcel and word search, and there was of course the customary pizza. 

All in all you could say that this last Sunday, like the previous one, when during our community Christmas Cafe we hosted Kevin Sinfield and his team on the last leg of their 7 in 7 Together challenge MBC is now well and truly in the mood. 

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