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Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Jane – Family, family and family

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We are very privileged to belong to several families. We have our own nuclear family, our son and daughters, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and several distant relatives. We love them dearly and keep in regular contact as much as possible, even though distance from Leeds can present challenges.
 
We also have our church family at MBC which has become a very significant part of our lives, and particularly very recently. Our Christian family at MBC has begun to feel like a real family. We have felt a deep ’ground swell’ of love developing in our fellowship, which has become almost tangible. One of our newer members calls me ‘sister. ‘There is a sense of a shared awareness of the needs within the congregation and a willingness to respond to those needs practically, prayerfully, with numerous methods of contact, and connection. There is a deep change that has been happening.
 
Then we have our China family. For many, many years we have had connections with key Research colleagues, men and women who are Leaders and senior members of several top Universities and Institutions, in Sichuan, Beijing, and Changchun. Through many years of regular contact, communication, support, visits to China, research exchange visits to Bradford and China, and their visits to our home, we have established a close connection- a family connection. We are regarded as family members, and we know many of them as family. When the news of my illness and surgery was shared with them, they immediately responded with messages of love, concern and even prayers. “Jane is a very important member of our AMRI family, and we are always with you.” When Phil returned from his most recent trip to China, he brought back with him a bag of Chinese medicine and many other personal gifts – tangible demonstrations of their love.
 
Over many years we have connected with some wonderful Christian individuals and families and have become involved with them, their challenges, successes, work and witness. It is a joy and a challenge to know so many people and to stay in connection. Family is about connection-real connection. I am so thankful that I am a part of these different families.
 
So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith. Galatians 6 v 10 GNT
 
A nighttime prayer
The peace of God be over me to shelter me.
Under me to uphold me.
About me to protect me.
Behind me to direct me
Ever with me to save me.
The peace of all peace be mine this night
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
 
Jane Coates.  November 2024

Shelley’s update for w/c Saturday 16 November

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Dear friends

Here’s a reminder of whats going on this week and some dates to come.

Tomorrow, on Saturday 16th November there will be an Art Exhibition in church 11-3pm with refreshments, all welcome.  It’s called Ralph Bainbridge: The painting machine.  Click on this link for more details. 

The Painting Machine – art sale pays tribute to an extraordinary talent – Moortown Baptist Church

On Sunday 17th November we meet at 11am to share communion, sing, share and look at Ruth 4: 13-22.  There will be a group for our younger friends.  We look forward to hearing in the service about the recent visit to Romania from Bela and Jean.

Rock Solid for young people is on Sunday evening 7-8.00pm in church.

On Monday 18th November it’s Beacon warm welcome café. It’s the end of interfaith week and we have this week invited, along with the support of Simon from Leeds Jewish Housing Association, those from other faiths who meet in the local area to see if they would like to come and share a drink and food. We pray the space will be a welcoming space, where people can get to know each other.  It’s also Mitzvah day, a Jewish led day of social action so Simon has encouraged those Jewish friends he knows and works with to bring food for the café as an action on this day.  If you are free, do come along too as we show hospitality and offer spaces for people to come alongside each other.  We are currently in receipt of funding from the church Urabm Fund to support things like Beacon and craft group.  If you want to know more about the positives of places of welcome, the project they run, then click on the link here Your stories — Places of Welcome

On Tuesday, its Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers, 10-11.30am

Tuesday afternoon there’s a house group on church.  See Howard Dews.

On Wednesday, its lunchclub for those registered and the volunteers.  See Rachel Beedle for more information.  Wednesday evening there’s house group at 7.30pm, see Ruth and Andy Berry.

Thursday is warm welcome space craft group 2-4pm in church.

Thursday evening there is a bible study with Gareth Gadd at 7pm in church

Friday evening there is a house group at 8m in Adel, see Jonathan and Hilary Darling.

Friday morning at 10am its bible study.  See me or Lesley if you are interested.

On Sunday 24th November we have our service in the morning at 11am with a group for our younger friends.

At 4pm on the same day you are invited to come together to meet Sue and John Wilson, BMS missionaries from Paris. It’s designed with all ages in mind around tables with food and drink provided.   Sue and John are retiring from their work in Paris but are coming to share what God has been doing there over the years.  There will be chance to ask questions too so do come along with your questions for Sue and John.  Everyone welcome.

Meeting’s coming up…

Tuesday 26th November 7.30pm Deacons and Shelley meet in church

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Church AGM.  It will be a good time to thank God for all He has done in the year and to pray expectantly for the year ahead!

A little look to Advent and Christmas…

We’ll be producing some cards to give out about Christmas at MBC to help us share the good news of Jesus.  For now here’s some dates for your diary and chance to share with others

Sunday 1st December at 11am Advent café church

Saturday 7th December at 1.30-3.30pm, “Sing along Christmas carols and festive songs with Steel Crazy steel pan band, festive treats and a fun Christmas quiz.”

Sunday 8th December 3pm “Stepping Stones and friends” Christmas Nativity

Wednesday 11th December Christmas Wednesday worship,1.30pm -2pm in the music room with refreshments.

Sunday 15th December at 3pm “Creative wreath making workshop where you will learn how to make your own Christmas wreath to take home, materials and festive refreshments will be provided.  £10 each.  Please book in with Lesley so that we can provide the right number of wreaths and resources.  If you have a favourite pair of scissors/secateurs you may want to bring them along, but we will have some for you to use anyway!”

Sunday 22nd December 11am All age Nativity

Monday 23rd December Festive Beacon

Tuesday 24th December afternoon Christmas Eve All Age Christingle

Wednesday 25th December morning all age Christmas Day celebration

Do continue to check the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk or ask a deacon or Lesley in the office or Shelley about anything that is going on so we can point you in the right direction.  There are also information sheets in the foyer of church. 

I have also been asked to pass these onto you…

A job vacancy for a part time admin role with the Yorkshire Baptist Association (click on link)

Admin Job pack 22 October 2024

And a lecture at the Grammar School at 8pm on November 27th organised by the council of Christians and Jews entitled ‘Religion and the Future of Europe’.  Bishop Nick is regularly heard on Radio 2 and 4 and before he became Bishop he worked as a linguist at GCHQ. 

Bishop Nick to give annual Leeds Council of Christians and Jews lecture – Diocese of Leeds

“You have heard that it was said, ‘ Love your neighbour’ and Hate your enemy’.  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

Let us keep responding to Jesus radical call of love in all we do

In Christ

Shelley

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Christmas is coming, but MBC’s Christmas programme is coming even sooner

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In six weeks time Christmas 2024 will be all but over, and we will have moved into that period of time that airlines and tour operators market as “Twixmas” – the days between Christmas and New Year. 

However, here at MBC, while December 25th is one of the defining days in the Christian calendar, the build up right the way throughout Advent can be almost as exciting as the big day itself. 

And that’s because our first “Christmas” event takes place on December 7th when between 1.30pm and 3.30 the Steel Crazy Band return to Moortown Baptist Church to once again host an afternoon of sing along carols and festive songs, book-ended by some seasonal treats and a Christmas Quiz. 

The following day at 3pm (Sunday December 8th) it’s our Stepping Stones Nativity to which you are all invited. 

Then the following week (15th December, starting at 3pm) we have what is fast becoming a hardy annual and that’s our wreath making workshop.  

Add to this a festive Beacon on the 23rd, a Christingle Service on the 24th and the following day our traditional Christmas celebration and you’ll see why once again MBC is throwing its doors wide open and saying to everyone within earshot that God loves them, and that’s the reason for Jesus. Of course, and actually it goes without saying, at the heart of that message is an invitation for them to come along and join us any time they like. 

Do look out for more information about Christmas 2024, either here on the MBC website or in Shelley’s weekly update. And remember what I told you, no matter how much or how little preparation you have made it won’t be long now! 

There are a few pictures from previous Christmas events in the gallery below. To look through them simply click on any of the images. 

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. The gate and the gatekeeper.

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He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
Psalm 147 v 13-14 NIV
 
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to serve on several of the BMS World Mission Short Term Placements. Perhaps the most memorable and significant for me, and where there was also a measure of risk, safety concern, and culture adaptation, were the times spent in Herat, Afghanistan, teaching in the International School, and teaching in the Pre School-Education Projects, in Luanda, Angola.
 
In Herat, the accommodation was securely behind high walls and there was always a gate keeper on duty, especially at night. Before I left the compound in the morning to walk to school, the gate keeper’s job was to open the heavy wooden and barred gate. He would walk down to this gate at the end of a long passageway, look out, then walk to the main road, to check that everything was safe. In the early weeks it was safe to walk alone to school or to go by tuktuk. But on some days, he would have to walk me to the school- a job which he hated as he did not want to be seen by others with a westerner. He would walk a long way behind me. But his main job was to guard that heavy gate to the compound. There’s a picture of The Herat Gate at the top of this article.
 
In Angola, a nurse, a teacher and I shared a house. My role was to teach in the newly established Pre School-Education Projects (PEP’s) placed in Luanda. The PEPs were often a two-hour drive away on dreadful roads. At night, there was a gate keeper at the door of the house. He sat all night in a small marquee in front of the house, and his role was to look out for anything suspicious or any threat. Many of the houses on the road had a similar night guard or gate keeper, and we would often hear them whistling and calling to each other through the night, alerting other guards to any possible threat. His was a nighttime role only, as during the day the driver of the jeep provided the protection needed as we travelled to the different projects in the areas where few westerners would be allowed to go, but where the need for the PEP was greatest.
 
I remember that heavy wooden gate with its strong bars across, the high walls of protection around the compound and the gate keeper. The gate keepers and guards were essential to safety and a measure of calm and peace of mind.
 
Psalm 147 begins and ends with the words’ Praise the Lord!’ It is a psalm which encourages us to praise Him for His protection and care. He is the all-powerful, creative God. Our God is the One who provides for us, gives security, strength, and peace. He strengthens the bars of our gates so that we can always feel safe and secure. He protects those that are within. He grants His peace to our borders
 
In heaven, there will be no need to lock or guard a gate as the gates will be permanently open. The gates will never be closed. There will be no need to feel unsafe or vulnerable, there will be no darkness but only light.
 
“The gates of the city will stand open all day; they will never be closed, because there will be no night there.” Revelation 21. V 25
 
But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Yes, I am the Gateway. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.  John 10

Shelley’s update – 8th November

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Dear friends

This Sunday we meet a little earlier at 10.50 for a service together and a group for the children exploring the themes of remembrance.  Over the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at the story of Ruth and last week at café church looked at what a redeemer was and how restoration started to come back to Ruth and Naomi.  They were people who experienced tragedy, but we also see Gods restoration beginning to shine through, we planted seeds of hope.  As we look to Remembrance Sunday we see the sacrifice, we remember Jesus ultimate sacrifice and we are reminded that God is able to bring restoration through his love and grace.

Next week is also the United Nations Climate Summit known as COP29.  As we were reminded last week that Boaz restored both the people and the land, we pray for our planet.  Here are some prayer points and thoughts…

COP29: Is climate change a Christian issue? – Evangelical Alliance

Locally, Leeds had some climate action hubs so you can find out about how people in our city are trying to look after the planet.  Here’s a link to the Alwoodley Climate hub,

Alwoodley 2030: Climate Action Hub

They have  an update meeting on how to help nature in Yorkshire, at St Barnabas Church on 19th November.  You need to book a place to go but its free.  See link below.

Alwoodley 2030: Climate Action Hub – Nature & Biodiversity

Through the week, all our regular groups take place as usual, see the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk or ask a deacon or Lesley in the office.  There are also information sheets in the foyer of church. 

Rock Solid is back on Sunday evening 7-8.00pm for young people in church.

Wednesday 13th November is Wednesday worship,1.30pm -2pm in the music room with drinks for those who arrive before 1.30pm.  The theme this week is Exciting God.  All welcome.

Next Saturday 16th November there will be an Art Exhibition in church 11-3pm with refreshments, all welcome.  It’s called Ralph Bainbridge: The painting machine.  The exhibition will include a large collection of canvases, framed paintings and unframed ink and powder abstracts.  Ralph was Trisha’s late husband, and he painted all his life.  Trisha and friends have organised the exhibition in aid of Parkinsons UK.  There’s more information on the website or you can ask Mandy or Trisha for more details.

On Sunday November 17th we meet at 11am to share communion, sing, share and look at Ruth 4: 13-22.  There will be a group for our younger friends.

On Sunday 24th November we have our service in the morning at 11am and then welcome Sue and John Wilson, BMS missionaries from Paris at 4pm in church around tables with tea provided.  Designed for all ages to come along, share food, hear how Jesus is working in France.

A little look to Advent and Christmas…

We’ll be producing some cards to give out about Christmas at MBC and to help us share the good news of Jesus.  These will include some of our services but also some festive events.  I’ll share more about Advent and Christmas next week as there’ll be opportunities to help, get involved and come along.  Here’s some of them for your diary…

1st December at 11am Advent café church

7th December at 1.30-3.30pm, “Sing along Christmas carols and festive songs with Steel Crazy steel pan band, festive treats and a fun Christmas quiz.”

8th December 3pm “Stepping Stones and friends” Christmas Nativity

15th December at 3pm “Creative wreath making workshop where you will learn how to make your own Christmas wreath to take home, materials and festive refreshments will be provided.  £10 each.  Please book in with Lesley so that we can provide the right number of wreaths and resources.  If you have a favourite pair of scissors/secateurs you may want to bring them along, but we will have some for you to use anyway!”

22nd December 11am All age Nativity

23rd December Festive Beacon

24th December afternoon All Age Christingle

25th December morning all age Christmas celebration

Finally…

The church AGM will take place on January 21st 2025.  It will be a good time to thank God for all He has done in the year and to pray expectantly for the year ahead!

In Christ

Shelley

The Painting Machine – art sale pays tribute to an extraordinary talent

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To Ralph Bainbridge painting came as effortlessly as breathing. Whatever the medium, be it pastels, oils, acrylics, inks or charcoal Ralph, known to friends and family alike as The Painting Machine was little short of a genius. 

A lifelong painter, much of the work of this former Leeds engineer is soon to go on show here at Moortown Baptist Church as between 11am and 3pm on Saturday November the 16th, Ralph’s widow Tricia shares (and hopefully sells) some of more than 200 of his works. 

For many years, Ralph who died aged 72 and whose funeral was held here at MBC last January had Parkinson’s Disease, and whilst he’d always painted it was in fact the medication he was taking for this illness which, says Tricia, “turned a hobby into an addiction.” 

And that’s no doubt why no matter what the subject – portraits, landscapes, seascapes or merely something quirky that happened to catch his eye, the combination of Ralph’s imagination, that keen eye and above all his delicate touch made everything he approached come alive.

Looking back, the first exhibition he himself staged was eleven years ago, that was in 2013, and it was very much a home grown affair. That’s because one sunny Saturday, and out of the blue he decided to take his easels and a selection of paintings outside and  invite passers by in to his front garden to view his work.  From that modest start, and later, with the aid of a local school teacher The Painting Machine’s art work is now shown throughout Horsforth each July in churches, schools and community centres.

So, with much of the  money raised from the sale being donated to Parkinson’s UK it’s now our turn to show our appreciation of Ralph’s work.

Don’t forget 11am until 3pm, Saturday the 16th of November here at Moortown Baptist Church. Oh and I know there will be refreshments available because my wife and I are part of a team “manning” the kitchen. 

There’s a gallery below showing just a very small selection of Ralph’s work. If you would like to view it simply click on any of the images.  Oh would you also please note that we will only be able to take payment for pictures in cash and not by machine. 

 

 

A big “Thank You” from North Leeds Foodbank

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Shelley Dring, our Minister writes ” I’d just like to share with you a message of thanks we have received from Simon at North West Leeds Foodbank.  In it he mentions “gleaning” which is something we too have been focusing on in our Harvest Festival.

Over the last few weeks we have been reminded that Ruth was a “gleaner” – a gleaner in Boaz’s field. The reason that she was able to glean was because Boaz was intentional about leaving a margin around his fields; his workers would not keep every scrap they picked but would allow others to glean from what was left… a perfect example of God being intentional and not wanting us to keep more than we need.

Simon wrote:

Dear Shelley I’m writing to Thank You and the congregation for your generous harvest donation of food and toiletries to our foodbank . Trusell fooddbanks rely almost entirely on donations (of food or money) to meet the increasing needs of people in our area in these challenging times.

Your donation of 54KG will provide about 128 individual meals.

Bishop Nick Baines, in a recent “Thought for the Day” talked of the Biblical principles of tithing and “gleaning” (Leviticus 19:9-10).

That is, not keeping everything God has given to us ourselves, but building community by allowing the people who have least to collect what they need from  what others have to spare. 

That’s what were doing by offering a warm welcome and practical support, as well as food, to all who come to our centres.

Thank You again! 

Remembrance Sunday – in order to observe a two minute silence our morning service will start at 10.50am

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This coming Sunday, that’s November the 10th, our morning service will begin at 10.50am. 

Being Remembrance Sunday, this slightly earlier start will give us an opportunity to gather ourselves before observing a two minute silence, in which we will pay our respects to all the men and women who throughout the years have fallen in combat. 

If you can please join us for this act of remembrance which will take place at precisely 11am. 

Jane Coates. Thoughts and prayers. Safe and Sound

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         Safe and Sound
 
The idiom ‘safe and sound’ is a wonderful phrase that conjures up other words such as secure, home, free from anxiety, safety, settled and established. I love going away on holiday, but I am a ‘home bird’ now and at the end of a break I am ready to come home. When our own teenager with the group of Scouts returned from ten days of camping, trekking, and glacier walking in the Alps, we were thankful to have him home ‘safe and sound’ at the end of the expedition.
 
In the very familiar story of the prodigal son, we read that when the younger son was alone, without means of support, hungry, with no one to give him either help or food, he came to his senses and then he came home to his father. The phrase ‘safe and sound’ stands out in the story. One of the servants explains to the elder brother, the reason for the music, dancing and celebration. “Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” Luke 15 v 27 The father also explains his reasons for the feasting, the best cloak, the ring and the shoes gifted to his son. “We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ Luke 15 v 33
 
We do not know how long the prodigal had been away from the family home, but the impression would be for an extremely long time-certainly months or even years. Without news of the son, the father in his worst moments, may have assumed that his son could have died in some far country. But he was now ‘safe and sound’, secure in the family and the home.
 
I often think of the story title more as ‘the waiting, loving father.’ The father who is constantly on the lookout for a returning son, his eyes monitoring that road home. The father who never gave up hope and who longed to wrap his arms around his youngest child. The father who ran towards his returning son to welcome him back-home before anyone else, such as the town elders could turn him away.
 
Our Heavenly Father is constantly on the lookout for us to come home to Him, -to be safe, sound, and secure in Him. He welcomes us back no matter what kind of condition we are in. He wants us to be free from all fear, and anxiety, and simply to come near to His heart of compassion.
 
As Moses, the ‘man of God’, was about to die, he gave each of the tribes of Israel a special blessing. His blessing to the tribe of Bejamin is particularly poignant. Let us claim this blessing for ourselves. Know that you are beloved of God, surrounded with His loving care and preserved from harm. You are safe in the father’s embrace.
 
Concerning the tribe of Benjamin, Moses said:
“He is beloved of God
And lives in safety beside him.
God surrounds him with his loving care,
And preserves him from every harm.”
Deuteronomy 33 v 12 TLB
 
Jane Coates, November 4th 2024

Shelley’s news for week commencing Sunday 3rd of November

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Dear friends

We look forward to seeing you at café church tomorrow to worship together, catch up, have breakfasts pastries and drinks, pray and hear more from the book of Ruth as we move onto Ruth 4:1-12. Its an all age service so there are things designed for all ages and experiences including a planting activity linked to the themes.  We start at 11am in the building and online.

Through the week are activities are as usual..

Monday – Beacon warm welcome café 10-12midday

Tuesday – Stepping stones group for under 5’s and their parents/carers 10-11.30am

Tuesday afternoon – house group in church, see Rod/Howard

Wednesday – lunch club for all those booked in and the volunteers, see Rachel Beedle

Wednesday evening – house group in church, see Andy/Ruth Berry.  There’s also a house group of women led by Diane Sunter on Wednesday evenings.

Thursday – warm welcome craft group 2-4pm in church

Thursday – bible study at 7pm in church, see Gareth Gadd

Friday  – bible study at 10am in church, see Shelley or send a message to Lesley for more information

Friday evening at 8pm – house group, see Jonathan/Hilary Darling

Do call or send a message to Lesley or ask Shelley for more information on groups through the week.  Lesley is in the office Monday and Tuesday 9-4pm and Wednesday until 1pm.

Next Sunday we have a service in church and online with an opportunity to think about remembrance.  This service will start ten minutes earlier at 10.50 so that we can observe the 2-minute silence.  There will be a group for our younger friends.

The next Wednesday worship is 13th November at 1.30pm in church.

On Saturday 16th November there will be a special art exhibition in church with opportunity to buy box canvases, framed paintings and hundreds of ink and powder abstract works created by Tricia’s late husband.  It is called Ralph Bainbridge: The painting machine. It will take place from 11am to 3pm.  More information to come but do ask Mandy, Tricia, or Shelley if you have any questions.  Messages can also be sent to Lesley to pass onto them.  It is open to all.  There will be a small table out on Sunday 17th too.   

On Sunday 24th November at 4pm, we welcome Sue and John Wilson for a retirement visit and tea at church to catch up with them about life as missionaries in Paris with BMS.  All welcome!  More details to come.   

More details to come about Christmas! Just a couple of dates for your diary and chance to let others know about…

1st December Advent café church together at 11am

7th December at 1.30-3.30pm, sing along Christmas carols and songs with Steel Crazy steel pan band, festive treats and a fun Christmas quiz.

15th December at 3pm Creative wreath making workshop where you will learn how to make your own Christmas wreath to take home, materials and festive refreshments will be provided.  £10 each.  Please book in with Lesley so that we can provide the right number of wreaths and resources.  If you have a favourite pair of scissors/secateurs you may want to bring them along but we will have some for you to use anyway!

“I know that my redeemer lives…I myself will see him with my own eyes” Job 19:25-27

In Christ

Shelley

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