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Shelley’s message for 6th November

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Dear friends

I am reminded this week that we have a God who sees us.  It was Hagar in the Old Testament, pregnant to Abram and on a dangerous journey through the desert fleeing for her homeland who was met by the angel of the Lord who “found her” (Genesis 16:7).  The angel tells Hagar what she should do and Hagar, encouraged by these words, calls God ‘El Roi’, the God who sees.  First God sees Hagar (Genesis 16:7-12) and then Hagar sees God (Genesis 16:13-16). Hagar felt God’s compassion for her and trusted God for her present and her future.

We too can call on ‘El Roi’ today and can trust that whatever we have experienced this week, God sees us.  Today you may want to recognise ‘El Roi’ as Hagar did and know His love and hear His words to you.

Tomorrow, we continue in our series about fruitfulness as we look at the fruit of the spirit at café church.  It starts at 11am and is planned to finish at 12. There will be drinks and breakfast pastries/fruit for all.  Thanks to those who have helped set up this week.   You can also join online on the Moortown Baptist Church YouTube channel.  Rachel will be running a dementia awareness training session after the service tomorrow which is open to all.  She can take about 10 at a time so do let her know if you want to join.

Our groups continue to meet next week with Beacon café, house groups (I know we have one in church on Wednesday at 7.30) and there are others.  There’s bible study in church at 10am on Friday. I am working on making groups clearer for people to find out about.  Do get in touch of you want to join a group. Craft group is open to all on Thursday.  Steppingstones and lunch club meet again this week. 

Next Sunday we look at fruitfulness and planting on Remembrance Sunday from James 3:13-18.  There will be a group for our younger members during the talk. The service will start at 11am. 

In the afternoon Shelley will lead a simple short service in church for all who want an opportunity to remember those who they miss who have died.  We will light a candle for each one.  It will take place in church at 4pm. 

On Monday, following Beacon, there is a short get together for anyone wanting to support ‘warm spaces’ in the daytime midweek.  I know this isn’t good for those wanting to help on a weekend or evening (we haven’t committed to this yet) but we thought we’d start somewhere.  If you help with Beacon or have expressed an interest in warm spaces and can make it on Monday after Beacon at 12.30 then come along.  If you come to Beacon feel free to bring your lunch as we chat.  If you can’t make it and want to help on other days, such as contributing to hospitality at café church or other times then can you let me know?  Thanks so much.   

Thanks to all those who attended the church meeting and have contributed to healthy discussions.  We are still replying to people following that meeting.  Thank you for your prayers, patience, and action.

In Christ

Shelley

 

  

Dementia Friendly training – 12.30pm, Sunday November 6th

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Next Sunday, November 6th, Rachel Beedle will be hosting the first of our Dementia Friendly training sessions. 

Immediately following our morning service (that’s as near to 12.30 as we can make it) this 45 minute session will introduce us to how best to go about addressing this increasingly worrying subject. 

There’s no need to sign up, simply stay behind this Sunday or turn up on Sunday 27th November for a second run of this fascinating course.   

30th October – Shelley’s message and a reminder about Tuesday’s Church Meeting

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Dear friends

As half term ends we thank God for his faithfulness in October.  As we see the leaves changing colour and falling from the trees in the UK we are reminded again that we live in seasons.  A friend of mine who moved to Gibraltar said the one thing she missed was the seasons in the way we have it here. 

In our two funeral services this week, we thanked God for the life of Joan Baker (Kate Slater’s mum) on Wednesday and for Michael Losits (Magdi’s husband) and in both we heard words from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3

“..there is a season or time for every activity under heaven.” We live in a world of change, it was never meant to stay the same all the time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 goes onto say that although in this world there is a time for beginnings and endings, that God is always the same and he has put something of ‘forever’ in our hearts.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men”.

So we live in the tension of being ‘forever’ people in an earthly world of change.

Thanks to all those who came to support church family in different ways this week.  We know there are a number of people with colds, covid or a mix and we pray for them too.  For all who have enjoyed holiday we pray it’s been peaceful and fun.

Talking of change, the clocks go back an hour tonight. 

We also have a shift in theme on Sunday too as we move into a mini series on ‘Fruitfulness’.  I’ll explain more about this tomorrow and to those I know want to be involved.  So it will go like this…

Sunday 30th October – Seed                John 15:1-8

Sunday 6th November – Fruit               Galatians 5:22-26  (café church)

Sunday 13th November – Planting      James 3:13-18

Sunday 20th November – Flower                   Matthew 6:28-34  (communion)

On the 27th November we develop this into our Advent to Christmas season…

Services are 11-12ish in church and on YouTube.  Tomorrow there will be a group for our younger members.

Many of our groups are back next week including Beacon, stepping stones, rock solid, lunch club and craft group.  Do check out the website or ask someone if you are unsure.

A reminder about the AGM and church meeting and update at 7.30 on Tuesday 1st November in church and on zoom.  Zoom link will go out on Monday.

In Christ

Shelley

Clocks back please!

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To suggest you all stay up until 2am on Sunday October 29th is perhaps too much to ask but please don’t forget that according to a long standing tradition that’s precisely the time we put our clocks back by one hour. 

I think I’ll do mine before I go to bed. 

Shelley’s update, and regarding our AGM an important change of date

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Dear friends

Quick email today…lots going on in church, our community and our nation. Lots to pray for but I am reminded of putting on love over all, we are a people of love not fear.

Last week Space took place in church and there’ll be an update on this tomorrow and on the website.  It was great have some time to be and worship in different ways.

Zac and I took all the harvest gifts to the food bank warehouse and Caring for life.  Thank you so much for all you have given. They were very much appreciated.  Immediately some of the food was taken away to be made into something by the chefs at Caring For life for dinner. 

Later in the week I was welcomed to a food club in Middleton where they are doing some of the things that we may want to develop as part of our warmwelcome project. This was just an initial visit to see friends doing something great in the community and sharing God’s love in a practical way but they said I could go back and bring with me those who may be interested to see it.

I haven’t a lot of time to follow up with you from what I said last week in the harvest service but we’ll provide some times to chat over the coming weeks and I’ll share more of my thoughts and see what you might want to do in terms of using our building and our resources as a hospitable place for our community.

Tomorrow we are in church 11-12 midday (and online on our you tube channel).  We continue discover Paul’s letter to Philippians in a fresh way and there will be the opportunity to share communion.  If you are online remember to get your bread/juice ready.

On Monday there will be no Beacon café as some of those who faithfully set up and run the café each week are away.  If you’d like to be involved in Beacon then do let me know. 

Stepping stones under 5’s group and their carers take a break and chance to plan the new term this week.  It will be back on the 1st November 10-11.30.

After church next Sunday (Oct 30th)  the Pastoral team meet for lunch and a catch up and then at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 1st we hold bith our AGM and a regular Church Members Meeting. 

Do check out the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk and follow MBC on facebook and twitter for prayers, news and events. On Wednesday MBC hosts the funeral of Joan Baker (Kate’s mum).  There will be refreshments afterwards.  Thanks to those helping on the day with tech, welcome, music and refreshments.  On Friday MBC hosts the funeral of Micheal Losits (Magdi’s husband).  Please keep both families in your prayers.

We have had a few technical problems this week with computers and emails so do bear with us if some things have taken longer than expected or you have had bounce back emails.

I am taking next Thursday off and will be in and out of the building the rest of the week (feel free to check the diary in church to see what is going on through the week). You can get in touch with the deacons or myself if you have something to share.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called to one body.  And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15)

See you tomorrow

In Christ

Shelley   

Meet Lesley Murphy – MBC’s new administrator

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A huge welcome to Lesley Murphy who at the beginning of this week took over as MBC’s administrator. 

Lesley will be working part-time; Monday and Tuesday 9am to 4pm and on Wednesdays from 9am to 1. 

Right now we are in the middle of trying to sort out what is probably the UK’s most complicated email system so until we can give you Lesley’s new email address perhaps the best way to contact her is via the MBC office on 0113 2693750.

MBC joins the Leeds dementia friendly project

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MBC has joined with many other businesses and organisations across Leeds in becoming part of the Leeds Friendly Communities Project which aims to make Leeds an Age and Dementia Friendly City. This involved choosing six actions which we will commit to as a church.

Our three actions to become more Age Friendly are: to have a member of staff as an Age Friendly Ambassador; to improve the signage around church so that it is visible and clear; and to make sure that we continue to be open and welcoming to all.

Our three actions to become more Dementia Friendly are: to hold Dementia Friends Information Sessions so we can learn about dementia and how it affects those living with it and their carers; to assess the building for any practical and visual adaptations we can make to help those living with dementia; and to have patience and understanding as we support those living with the repercussions of a dementia diagnosis.

The Dementia Friends Information Sessions will be led by Rachel, our Seniors Worker, who volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Society as a Dementia Friends Ambassador. Each session lasts for about 45 minutes and is for up to 15 people. They will be held regularly so you can find a date to suit you, with the first sessions taking place after church on the 6th and 27th November and more dates to follow in the New Year. If you would like to attend either of these sessions please let Rachel or Lesley, our Administrator, know.

A prayer for Florin Fodor and his team that are heading into Ukraine

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A message from Howard Dews.

I’ve heard from Florin Fodor that he and a team from Cluj are planning to go into Ukraine next weekend (29th/30th Oct).

They will be taking two minibuses with aid for refugees, poor people and schools. Some of this has been bought with the money we have sent.

Prayer needed for safety particularly given the latest situation with bombing across the country.

MBC registers as a Warm Welcome Space

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Ahead of what looks like becoming a particularly challenging winter Moortown Baptist Church has registered as a Warm Welcome Space. 

Warm Welcome Space is a nationwide project intended to provide precisely that. However, with Beacon cafe, Stepping Stones, Open Door Craft Group, etc. etc. already in place our thinking is we don’t really need to set up special spaces but simply to invite anyone who may be struggling with the choice of either eating or heating to join us.

You’ll hear more about this as we approach the longer nights and the first heavy fuel bills arrive but if you or anyone you know might like to speak to us about our Warm Welcome Space simply contact Shelley or any of your deacons.  

Below there is a link to a PDF explaining what needs to be done to register as a Warm Welcome Space which we hope you will find interesting.

https://assets.website-files.com/62fe158e1405a70fe1c31da5/6330436ce5a2540e5e0c4eeb_WarmWelcome_StepbyStepGuide_V1.pdf

There’s also some late news from Shelley that MBC is also now registered with Leeds City Council’s Warm Spaces project but more news on that later.  

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