Dear Friends
I was reminded of this verse on the Caring for life website.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Words of Jesus to encourage us that with Him we shine as we do good things. The glow can highlight a way forward in all sorts of different ways. At Caring for life, the support is practical, emotional and spiritual. Having just left the Caring for Life supporters’ day at Crag House Farm I can see some of this first hand in the people I meet and the buildings and goods made. Every year at Moortown Baptist Church we send money and food at Harvest time to support the projects at the farm and I know many of you give other types of support throughout the year as well as enjoying the food in the café or buying things for the garden. If you haven’t heard about the work they do then have a look here at their new introduction video www.caringforlife.co.uk
Another way of shining light is through the Arts. In August there will be the first opportunity to see the musical ‘It is well with my Soul’ in Yorkshire. It’s a dynamic story of celebration, tragedy and hope behind the well-known hymn. The musical was written by a friend of Nathan and I’s, and I spent 4 days choreographing movement last year for its London tour. The nearest show to Leeds is Knaresborough on the 29th August. Do get booked in. If you would like to go but can’t get there let us know. Equally if you can give lifts can you let us know too It is Well with My Soul – Knaresborough at The Frazer Theatre event tickets from TicketSource
On 21st July we will be holding a strawberry tea 3-5pm with money raised going to our link churches in Romania. There will be an opportunity to hear about these links next week in the service on the 14th July. We are looking at following the tea with some games on the field with youth and anyone else who wants to join. If you can help with the tea, either with bringing scones or helping on the day, can you let Karen Ross or Howard Dews know or email/call Lesley in the office on Monday or let me know? Please note that Lesley is on leave from next Tuesday and will return on Wednesday 17th July.
Thanks to those who are helping to do the chairs between services/activities. We don’t have anyone to do this role yet but if you are around on Sunday after church, Monday after Beacon, Wednesday after Lunch Club or Thursday at some point, these are the times we reset the church. Please talk to Karen if you can help with one of these times.
We continue to look at stories Jesus told in Luke on Sundays and Haddon is leading two sessions (both sessions will be the same content) next week about why Luke told the stories he did. The first sessions will be on Monday 8th July at 12.30-2.30 in the music room. Feel free to bring your own lunch and eat at midday together before it starts. The session will be repeated on Tuesday 9th July 7.30-9.30pm in the music room.
A reminder that on Monday 15th July 1-3pm we’ll be hosting a ‘Wise up to Ageism’ course led by a team from Leeds Older People’s Forum. If you would like to attend, please email, or call Lesley or Rachel Beedle. If there are spaces left, we will open the course up to those working locally in our community.
This week we saw a new government elected. Some of you may be interested to read Lyn Green’s thoughts. She is the General Secretary of Baptists Together. See link below. In Lyn’s thoughts she thanks Baptist churches for being involved in building positive relationships in communities. Moortown Baptist Church was a polling station on 4th July and it was a great opportunity for those who were in the building to be open and friendly to those exercising their vote and volunteering on the day. We had several people come and ask questions about church and a thanks to those, including people in craft group, for answering their questions and inviting them to our services and activities. We also take turns to host the Alwoodley Community Forum (Rachel and I attend), the PACT meetings for Moortown as well as other events. Last week I joined the Leeds Inter Faith forum to meet and pray for the new Lord Mayor, Abigail Marshall Katung. I know some of you have other roles in our communities. Do let me know if there is a way we can support you.
Post-Election Mailing to Churches (campaign-archive.com)
Also coming up…
Sunday 7th July All age Café church at 11-12 with refreshments and breakfast bits Luke 14:1-14… hospitality
Sunday 7th July 7-8pm Rock Solid for youth in church
Monday 8th July 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café (talk and discussion on Luke in afternoon, see above)
Tuesday 9th July 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers (last one before the summer break)
Tuesday 9th July house group in the music room. See Rod Russell
Wednesday 10th July Lunch Club for those booked in and the volunteers. See Rachel for more information
Wednesday 10th July house group in church 7.30pm -9pm in the music room. See Ruth and Andy Berry
Thursday 11th July Warm welcome craft group 2-4pm
Thursday 11th July Study on evangelism with Gareth Gadd 7-9pm
Friday 12th July Bible study in church at 10-11am. See Shelley for more information.
Friday 12th July House group at 8pm in Adel. See Hilary and Jonathan Darling or Steve or Helen Olijnyk
Sunday 14th July 11-12 service in church with activities in a group for our younger friends (Luke 12:13-21)
Wednesday 17th July Wednesday worship at 1.30pm – 2pm in the music room
Tuesday 10th September 7.30pm Whole church meeting
In Christ
See you tomorrow
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister