News and views from across the movement

This is the first Round-up since last week’s Council meeting, where a statement regarding Baptist churches registering for Same Sex Marriage was adopted. There is a report detailing some of the background to that statement, alongside another documenting the remaining items on the Council agenda.

One of these was the 40 Days of Good News initiative, ‘a time of deliberately engaging in mission’ in the 40 days leading up to Pentecost (10 April - 15 May). As part of the build up one Baptist church shares how it’s been daring greatly in a particularly effective way in recent weeks. Elsewhere we have a lovely story about the baptism of an 88-year-old.

It's also the day after the attacks in Brussels: 'In this Holy Week it feels like we are in a Good Friday world,' commented Helle Licht of the European Baptist Federation, as she assured Belgian Baptists of prayers for 'their nation and their witness to Christ the Prince of Peace at this difficult time.'

'We need to hang on to the hope of the resurrection beyond it.'

 
Opinions/features

Be an answer to prayer  
It’s good to pray - every Christian knows that. But it’s a real joy too to be the answer to someone else’s prayer

How can big churches support smaller churches? 
A Baptist minister shares eight ideas

Being grounded in your faith
When all around are losing it and causing panic, Heather Skull looks at why a field of sheep can teach a lesson about standing firm...

Finding hope in disability and child loss
In telling her story Chizor Akisanya is openly vulnerable in the hope that it will inspire and encourage those struggling with life’s challenges


Baptisms
Aintree Village Family Church, Merseyside: Matty and Laura Bentley
Bluntisham Baptist Church, Cambridgeshire: Carol-Ann Penfold, Lizzi Catterick, Pauline Beaumont, Rob Lemmon
Bromham Baptist Church, Bedfordshire: Steve Moynham, Alan and Chris Lake
Burwell Baptist Church,Cambridge: Ingebjorg Tozer (88) and Sarah Golding
Cemetery Road Baptist Church, Sheffield: Kanan, Reza, Mohammad, Majoud, Amir, Iman, Bita, Mitra, Sadiq, Omid, Ali, Mohamad and Abdol
Greenfield Baptist Church, Llanelli: Steve Lawrence, Philip Morris, Yvonne Davies, Susan Morris
Gunton Baptist Church, Suffolk: Kayleigh Palmer, Melody-Grace Prestige-Briston
Mexborough Baptist Church, Yorkshire: (see below)
Seymour Road Baptist Church, Nottingham: Cheryl Tongue and Leah Oglesby, Kat Marshall
Willesborough Baptist Church, Willesborough, Ashford: Sarah Guy, Emma Matthews

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

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

Baptism stories
The Revd June Love of Gunton Baptist Church, Suffolk, writes: ‘On Palm Sunday we were thrilled to baptise Kayleigh Palmer who came to faith on our recent Alpha course, and Melody-Grace Prestige-Briston who is just 10 years old but has incredible faith and love for the Lord.’

Denise Lancaster, Pastor at Mexborough Baptist Church writes: ‘In January we had a baptism for a young lady, on her birthday, who has been coming to our church for some while. Her circumstances don't permit her to come every week, but when she does come, she's much encouraged, and able to face the future with hope and peace. Baptism for her was another step towards wellness, and we are thrilled to support her in every way we can. This lady may be moving to live closer to her family. Whatever the future holds for her, we thank God for her ongoing discipleship and making new friends.’

A message from Bluntisham Baptist Church: ‘The four people who were baptised all attended our Puzzling Questions course last year and wanted to take their next step on their journey with the Lord.  It was a very emotional and uplifting service.’



Deaths
PIGGOTT, The Revd David Geoffrey John died peacefully on 3 March, aged 90, at Heathlands Care Home, Pershore, Worcestershire. The very much loved husband of Joyce, who pre-deceased him in 2014, and dear father of Andrew, Jane, Ruth, Stephen and Ann. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration was held at Pershore Baptist Church on 21 March and an Obituary appears in the online columns of The Baptist Times. Donations in his memory to the RNLI Torbay Lifeboat Station c/o E Hill & Son, Funeral Directors, Pershore WR10 1HZ. For further details contact Jane Machin at ahmachin@gmail.com

NOLES, The Revd Anthony George. Sadly passed away on 13 March 2016. Husband to Sylvia, much loved father of Deborah, Beverley, Jeremy and Jackie, grandad to Daniel, Fabio, Sarah, Tom, Rachel, Zack and Luke and beloved brother to Ron, Bill, Margaret and John.  The funeral will be held on Thursday 31 March at All Saints Church, Walton on the Naze at 11.45am, followed by a committal at Weeley Crematorium at 1.15pm.  Flowers or donations to Alzheimers Society via P.G.Oxley Funeral Directors, 43-47 High Street, Walton on the Naze, Essex, CO14 8BE, Tel 01255 675549 / email info@pgoxley.co.uk if desired.

HAYDEN, the Revd Dr Roger A service of thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Roger will take place at 2pm on 8 April at Broadmead Baptist Church in Bristol. Donations to Broadmead Baptist Church and the Leprosy Mission 

Jobs

Schools Counsellor, Fegans
Assistant Cellarer + Administrator, The Sheldon Community
Director of Ministry, The Nationwide Christian Trust
Children, Youth and Families Ministry Leader, Queensberry Baptist Church 
Regional Minister, Heart of England Baptist Association 
Public Engagement Officers, Sailors' Society  
Ecumenical Accompaniers, Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine + Israel (EAPPI)

For more information on all these positions, visit http://www.baptist.org.uk/jobs


Events/resources

Flames of Prayer
Lynn Green is encouraging all our Baptist churches to join together in creating a Beacon of Prayer – sharing the ways in which God is at work in and through our churches and communities.  She would like church leaders to download and print a flame template (if possible on yellow or orange paper), and then write down where you see God at work in and through your church/community.  Bring it with you to this year’s Baptist Assembly in Oxford on 14 May, or send it to the Assembly office by 29 April.  Full details are on the Baptists Together website.

Fire Camp - a new gathering for Baptists, around the campfire.
A captivating alternative to consumer-centric approaches.
Fired by the story of God
Organised by grass-roots baptists    
•   23-26 July 2016 (arrive a day earlier for the pre-party)    
•   3 nights to gather around the campfire  
 •   In year one tickets limited to first 100 people    
•   A vibrant, creative, participatory camp of all ages    
•   You will be Fire Camp: create, relax, party, explore and meet
See the video and book at www.firecamp.org.uk (video and poster can be downloaded for use in churches)

40 Days of Good News 
In the period between Easter and Pentecost Baptists have been encouraged to proactively share the Good News of Jesus. Churches have been encouraged to pray specifically for this initiative on April 3 and 10.

More here: http://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/463037/Forty_days_of.aspx

Click here to access this email in a PDF format.

For more visit www.baptist.org.uk/baptisttimes