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The Baptist Times News Round Up
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There’s quite a story developing in Reading, with reports of more than 1000 people giving or rededicating their lives to Christ this month. The Baptist minister at the forefront has described it as an outpouring, and believes it will spread to other towns and cities.  

We have a couple of pieces to coincide with Refugee Week, including a reflection from Clare McBeath, Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College, on time spent in refugee hotspots in Greece. Elsewhere a Baptist pastor highlights three things we can learn from the life of murdered MP Jo Cox; there are moving prayers in the wake of the atrocity in Orlando, and one writer ponders the question of suffering, and turning away from God.

A number of new links have been added to the collection of Baptist thinking on the EU Referendum, shared in the previous Round-up. If you want some last minute reading ahead of the vote, there’s plenty here. The above visual (which is free to use as you wish and sits in our Flickr account) was created for the Referendum, but its message is really applicable any time. In a world of conflict, may we hear your voice clearly, Lord.
 
Paul Hobson
Faith and Society Editor/Writer
phobson@baptist.org.uk

News

A mix of Baptist blogs and articles on the EU referendum
Evangelistic outpouring reported in Reading
Queen's birthday honours for Baptist minister and cardiologist
Evangelistic outpouring in Reading
In just over three weeks, more than 1,000 people have prayed to give or rededicate their lives to Christ

Queen's birthday honours for Baptists
A paediatric cardiologist and a minister were among the Baptists recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list

The Baptist Assembly in Wales: 2016
This year's Baptist Assembly in Wales took place under the theme Worth Saving. Jonathan Langley was there 

Father's Day welcome at Finchampstead
Vintage sports cars, a golf simulator, sports activities – just some of what was on offer at a Berkshire Baptist church

Theology resources made available
A new website has launched offering theological and spiritual resources which formed the bedrock of the Workshop programme - a move welcomed by former Spurgeon's College Principal Nigel Wright
 

Opinions/features/reflections

The mum who tried to change the world
Three things Jo Cox taught us

For is not life more than bread?
Christian faith is about truly encountering God and other people, on a human level – as Jesus did. Clare McBeath, Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College, reflects on time spent in refugee hotspots in Greece

Refugees: the stories behind the headlines
The founder of a Christian organisation serving destitute asylum seekers explains why he was compelled to tell their stories

'A salve to my weary soul'
Chaplain Anna Spiegel was among those to share her reflections on the recent Yorkshire Baptist Association Assembly

Keep faith or give it up?
The question of suffering leads many to leave their faith. Why didn't I?

Prayers for Orlando
Prayers in the wake of the atrocities at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida

Latest book reviews
 

Baptisms and other notices

Bognor Regis Baptist Church, Sussex: Paul Boniface
Charnwood Road Baptist Church, Shepshed, Leics: Sandra Baxter, Nicola Baxter and Cameron Lucas
Cottingham Road Baptist Church, Hull: Hannah Surguy
Stockport Baptist Church, Cheshire: Mohammad Ali, Majid, Maysam, Mohammad B, Mona, Rasool, Shahin, Toni, Ebrahim
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Penarth: Sarah and Jack Westmore
Treeton Baptist Church, South Yorkshire: Katie Emma Saynor

Know anyone preparing for baptism? Check out our range of cards

Send your baptism notifications and stories to phobson@baptist.org.uk

Baptism stories
At Treeton Baptist Church (South Yorkshire) on Sunday 19 June Katie Emma Saynor was baptised by our Lay Pastor Chris Nuttall.  At the same service her son Louis Leo was dedicated. Both Katie and her husband David were welcomed into membership, with David having been baptised at a church which is now closed. The service being a wonderful spiritual family event with refreshments after the service provided by Katie and David. (submitted by Ida)

On 12 June we had three baptisms at our church, writes Maureen Walbey, deacon at Charnwood Road Baptist Church, Shepshed, Leics. Sandra and Cameron had been through baptism classes prior to the day. However, after the baptism Howard Ketton, our minister, asked if there was anyone else who felt called to be baptised and Sandra’s daughter in law stepped forward to everyone’s surprise. Luckily spare clothes were available in anticipation of just such an event. This very special occasion was followed up with a bring and share lunch. 


Death
NOLES – Sylvia Ann, died on 16 June 2016.  Wife of Anthony, much loved mother of Deborah, Beverley, Jeremy and Jackie, grandmother to Daniel, Fabio, Sarah, Tom, Rachel, Zack and Luke, beloved sister of Valerie.
The funeral will be held on Thursday 7 July at All Saints Church, Walton on the Naze at 11.45, followed by a committal at Weeley Crematorium at 1.15.  All are welcome to join the family afterwards at The Bowling Green, Colchester Road, Weeley, CO16 9AD, for some time together over food and drink.
Flowers or donations to Alzheimers Society if desired via P.G.Oxley Funeral Directors, 43 – 47 High Street, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8BE, Tel. 01255 675549, email info@pgoxley.co.uk.

Jobs

  • Pioneer Worker, The Upper Thames Circuit and The Church of Christ the Servant, Abbey Meads
  • Warden of St Peter's House, Chaplaincy to Higher Education in Manchester 
  • Schools Counsellor, Fegans
  • Discipleship Pastor, Merton Park Baptist Church

Events/resources

Message for the millennials
A brand new, 10-week discipleship course for those in their 20s and 30s has just been launched. Freedom in Christ: disciple is a 10-session multi-media interactive small group course that communicates the life-changing message of Freedom In Christ to the millennial generation in their own language.
Created by Freedom in Christ in partnership with YFC, The Awaken Movement and UCB TV.
http://www.ficm.org.uk/disciple

Germinate Leadership programme
Applications are being taken for the fourth national Germinate Leadership programme starting on 5 October. Germinate is an exciting programme on leadership in the rural church to help lay and ordained leaders from all denominations to develop creative, entrepreneurial skills for effective rural church leadership.

The Arthur Rank Centre is especially encouraging Baptist participation, for whom a 50 per cent bursary is available. Details are at www.germinate.net

Two years for Urban Life
Urban Life is a Baptist-led network of people exploring and researching new approaches to a Christian presence in deprived and marginalised urban neighbourhoods. It recently celebrated two years, having launched in 2014. It has started to deliver learning experiences around the country, and develop resources for learning and research. The work has been facilitated by a growing group of experienced and innovative facilitators. Here are some milestones Urban Life celebrates: http://urbanlife.org/news/urban-life-celebrates-two-years/

 
New course for the millennials
Baptist bursary for leadership course
Milestones for Urban Life
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