News items for public viewing
Sometime over the next few weeks we will be having a fire drill. The drill will be announced ON THE DAY and not before. However, it will take place during the second service, and after the children have left for their groups. During the drill the building will be evacuated with the EXCEPTION, for safety reasons, of those with limited mobility.
In the event of an actual fire, Stewards will assist those with mobility issues to exit the building safely. If you normally only come to the first service we will ask on the day if you can possibly stay for the second so that as many people as possible are aware of the procedure.
Please read the fire safety notice at the back of church and be aware of all fire exits and routes. Children will be evacuated with their groups (please see the notice for parents on the notice). On the morning of the drill you will be informed of what you need to do in order to evacuate, including which exit to use from where you are sitting.
There are notices in all rooms with full evacuation procedures and fire exit routes from each room with diagrams. In order to comply with health and safety regulations we will need to have annual updates of fire safety procedures (without evacuation) and have a full evacuation every few years.
If you have any questions please speak to Kate.
In the week of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we have commemorated sacrifice made to achieve a greater good.
Many important issues are raised in reflecting on this. What was the greater good being sought? The extent and nature of the sacrifice? How can we ensure that good is preserved without the ravages of war in the future? What are the threats to our common good today?
The Queen made an interesting observation in her speech at the state banquet attended by President Donald Trump: “After the shared sacrifices of the Second World War, Britain and the United States worked with other allies to build an assembly of international institutions, to ensure that the horrors of conflict would never be repeated. While the world has changed, we are forever mindful of the original purpose of these structures: nations working together to safeguard a hard won peace.”
Here she blended welcome and respect for President Trump with a firm reminder of the purpose and value of international institutions. The latter which are so decried by many populist leaders of our time.
Let’s make a connection:
“Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.” (Philippians 1: 15 – 18, NRSV)
Here Paul observes that many preach the gospel (the good news of Christ) for noble or selfish motives. Rather daringly he concludes, what does it matter as long as the gospel is proclaimed.
Now in the case of the Christian good news, surely bad motives and practises discredit the good news? Yes, but the good news is bigger than the messenger and which of us ever promotes the good news without elements of rivalry and envy? We will find ourselves being asked to encounter people of questionable motives for the sake of the greater good.
What does that tell us? Whether our good news is the Christian gospel, or international relations, or environmental protection motives it will always be mixed and if the good cause is bigger than the rivals we must be prepared to engage with diverse and even antagonistic parties for a greater cause. The goal is paramount and the agenda is bigger than the participants.
Hopefully, powerful participants will recognise the importance of coming together for a greater goal and adapt their approach to foster partnership. Otherwise we are all the worse off and the goal may not be achieved. This is something of the reminder the Queen was offering to Donald Trump. It is one to bear in mind in UK politics also in church life.
For the sake of international relations, environmental policy and the Christian gospel we will need to engage with people of different emphasis and motives. If we fail to do this greater sacrifices and higher prices will need to be paid.
This asks us to keep our good aims and goals in clearer view and to tone down our rhetoric and posturing to allow people to find common cause. This is a tough ask, in seeking models and motivation Paul was drawn to Jesus Christ:
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 4 – 11 NRSV)
Graham Brownlee, June 2019
Just image you’re six and a half thousand miles from home, facing the prospect of six months living and working in a totally alien culture among people who speak a different language.
That’s the situation that faced Becky Plummer, Bethan Toward, Katie Hutchins and Marika Jones when last October they landed in Peru at the start of their six month posting as a BMS Action Team.
Today, back in the UK and half way through an eight week tour of local Baptist churches the girls are using each and every one of their Peruvian experiences to share hope and encouragement with those of us perhaps too timid to contemplate such an enormous challenge.
On arrival in Peru and soon realising that a lot of things were going to be tough and that any hopes they might have had of instantly changing the world were unrealistic they carefully and prayerfully decided that their number one priority would simply be to make relationships. This meant to be alongside people, often doing the most menial of tasks so that day by day, one step at a time the little things they were doing and saying would enable their practical commitment to the good news of the gospel to make a difference.
So if like me you were touched by some of the stories that Becky, Bethan, Katie and Marika shared with us remember this… it’s only our support for BMS World Mission that makes such opportunities possible.
Today as the girls move into week five and on to their next church we wish them well, we thank them for calling on us and we pray that the relationships they and their message made in Peru will not only live on but will flourish.
To find out more about the whole raft of ways you can help finance this amazing work visit www.bmsworldmission.org or have a word with MBC’s BMS link Roger Robson.
* The picture at the top of this story was taken by School Chaplain Kay Brown when the team visited Abbey Grange Church of England Academy. And it seems as if the girl’s gifts for making relationships continues as Kay has now issued an invitation to Shona for us to contact her re ongoing collaboration.
It may be a coincidence but in the same week that we say farewell to our BMS Action Team, BMS World Mission’s magazine ENGAGE lands on our doormat.
Published three times a year and accompanied by a free 24 page Prayer Guide ENGAGE brings you all the latest news from just about every country that BMS World Mission operates in.
With articles from as far afield as South Sudan, France and eastern Ukraine and with stories, letters and features about ceramic heaters, thermal underwear and a three year old’s sponsored scoot the one thing you could never accuse this mag of is being boring.
The Prayer Guide which runs through May, June, July and August most effectively mixes people and places with projects far and wide.
Both are totally free of charge and can be obtained either by post or on line by visiting www.bmsbaptistmission.org
Also this week we received the latest update from Chris and Bela Singh (see below). Besides keeping us up to date with his travels Chris who works with WEC Worldwide and who spends much of his time jetting round the globe teaching broadcasting techniques, journalism and radio ministry makes a number of quite specific prayer requests; things that we here at home can focus on.
To launch a new series of services and sermons based on the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, Graham took a most novel approach.
Reading from Ezekiel Chapters 2 and 3, a passage of scripture which describes Ezekiel’s call to be a prophet he asked for a show of hands before picking out certain members of the congregation by trade and profession: teachers, doctors, internet technician, sales people etc.
He then gave them each an A4 certificate (aka a scroll) on which was written a list of the skills they needed to do their work and asked them to tear off a corner, share it with those around them and eat it.
Then, taking five reference points from the text, the headings of which spelled out the word GOALS, we were invited to discuss ways in which through faith the bitter, sweet experiences that happen to us all equip us to live out our beliefs.
The scrolls of course were made of rice paper – although we’re not too sure about the ink.
With occasional breaks the Ezekiel sermon theme runs right the way through Pentecost and ends on July 28th with a service with an equally enticing title “Two sticks”.
Huge congratulations to Jenny Dixon (above left) and her brilliant team for once again organising and staging a superb plant sale. With everything totted up the total raised was £1,218.97 which means that this year’s two chosen charities: Christian Aid and Pathways Counselling will benefit with over £600 each.
As you will appreciate getting seedlings and cuttings etc. to their peak takes both planning, patience and skill – particularly as no one quite knows what the weather is going to be like one week to the next. So once again top marks to all our green fingered friends, and of course the bakers and kitchen helpers who between them brought in donations of just over £100.
To see a larger version of any of our gallery pictures simply click on the image.
Last Saturday, from 10am to 10pm the MBC sanctuary was open for prayer. Through words, silence, art, music, movement, dance, food, song and more, all ages were encouraged to have a conversation with God.
The day was themed around ‘Abiding’ and there were 4 zones linked to different understandings of abiding. One zone focused on abiding memories and God with us on the journey, another zone looked at what we cannot abide, a third zone encouraged us to simply ‘abide’ in God and a fourth looked at the theme of kingdom and who we abide by. People were encouraged to move around the zones at their own pace or indeed just ‘to be’ in the space. A variety of chairs and cushions were dotted around the room as well as space to move.
There was also testimony, mission stories, mindfulness, sung worship and movement/dance opportunities lead from the front throughout the day that people could choose to engage with on whatever level they wanted. People prayed for those who were sick, they prayed for their city, the places where they lived and worked, they meditated on Jesus as the vine, they heard personal testimony from mission and prayed for persecuted Christians, they used globes to think about the wider world and they sang songs and picked up flags to declare God’s love and faithfulness.
There was a welcome stream of drinks and snacks available, including a ‘banqueting table’ with fresh bread, fruit and cake under a canopy of vines. A book was left by the entrance/exit for people to write their thoughts in as they left and it will be a reminder of what God was saying throughout the day.
Some people dropped in for a short time, others stayed for the full 12 hours, some came on their own and others came with friends and family members. A number people have given feedback and words that came up quite a lot were space, peaceful, safe, freedom, grow, colour, unity, connected and ‘spring up’.
The whole day came out of discussions in a home group hosted by Abi and Sam Tillie around 24/7 prayer. The group want to thank everyone who helped to plan, facilitate and take part in the day.
For more information about prayer days/nights see www.24-7prayer.co.uk
To view of a larger version any of our gallery pictures simply click on the image
Between Monday 13th and Sunday the 19th of May we are being joined by Becky, Bethan, Katie and Marika four young ladies who between October 2018 and March ’19 made up a BMS Action Team serving in Peru. Now safely back in the UK they are part way through a tour of churches sharing their story.
During our Communion Service on Sunday May 19th the girls will be telling us about some of the amazing experiences they have had during their year of voluntary service. They’ll also be popping in to and meeting families at the Oasis Cafe on Tuesday, and at the other end of the spectrum going on armchair travels with the Seniors on Wednesday.
The remainder of their time here in Leeds will be spent working alongside students from Abbey Grange High School where they will explore cross cultural mission and of course getting to know our young people at both Impact and Momentum.
With Graham taking on the Eamonn Andrews role and a 10 inch Samsung tablet replacing the big red book MBC’s Lunch Club have paid a warm and fond This is Your Life style farewell to Chris Puckrin.
Very soon Chris will be heading off to Scotland to live near daughter Lorraine and her family. However, quite literally no sooner will he have first footed the suburbs of Edinburgh than he will he will be heading back to Leeds for a knee op. Immediately following his discharge Chris’ other daughter, local lass Sarah, who most conveniently just happens to be a physiotherapist will then take charge of his recovery.
Armed with a whole load of surreptitious obtained background information, and an equally impressive gallery of pictures Graham led us through Chris’ life story from the day in 1947 when he was born, through his childhood, his early working life with ICI, through his training for the Anglican priesthood and of course through the umpteen churches in which he and his late wife Doreen have subsequently served.
Before heading through for lunch Carole Smith, MBC’s Seniors’ Worker presented Chris with a number of gifts and cards. She also thanked him for all the love, guidance and support he has given her, her predecessor and also the many Lunch Club regulars who during his time here at Moortown have got to know and love him.
There’s a gallery of pictures here taken at Lunch Club’s special event, plus of course a couple taken recently when on behalf of the whole church Graham paid tribute to this lovely man.
Chris, we know this move is far more than just a need to live nearer to Lorraine and Will, and we know that because when you recently preached at one of our 9.30am Services you told us so. No, this move like so many others you have made is happening because once again you believe it’s what God wants. So as you leave Moortown and as you plan yet another fresh start all we can add is thank you, take care and God bless you.
You can read the full text of Chris’ sermon, titled The Journeying God and based on Exodus Chapter 14, verses 13 to 29 by following this link.
