New foodbank findings revealed
One of the most comprehensive studies into foodbank use has been published

Links between religion and well-being
Religion really can significantly improve your physical and mental well-being, new research has shown

Co-creation around the camp fire
A report from the first ever Fire Camp – not your usual Baptist gathering

'We vandalised it with wool and creativity'
Minister shares an initiative that has brightened up the main shopping street

Improving your cross-cultural competence
A Baptist minister wants to equip churches seeking to better engage with diverse cultures

AIDS: the risk of complacency
International AIDS Conference highlights risks in the face of a resurgent HIV
 

Meditation on Global Violence and Terror
This summer many major violent and terror related episodes have devastated our world. Our call is to pray and commit ourselves to being living answers to those prayers. Here’s a meditation to help

You will always have the poor with you
Jesus tells his disciples to be among the poor, yet 2,000 years later all too often we are not. Some lateral thinking may help

Because he was not “one of us”?
Wherever we look in our world today we may find men and women of good will – we should thank God for them, and pray for them

What about you... who do you say I am?
Those in the refugee camps of Greece and elsewhere are made in the image of God: we are all one in Christ, called to give and receive

BWA Annual Gathering - a reflection
Church planting in Nigeria and challenged by climate change – General Secretary Lynn Green reports from the BWA Annual Gathering
 

Abbey Centre Baptist Church, Northampton: Trish Newitt and Shellia Boateng 
Alvechurch Baptist Church, Worcestershire: Lisa Seeney
Clarence Park Baptist Church, Weston-super-Mare: Rosie Weeks, Tori Harper
Cromer Baptist Church, Norfolk: Jayne Bromwich and Susan Jacobs
Greenfield Baptist Church, Llanelli: Tony & Sally Richards,  Andrew Harris, Rob Howells
Greenfields Baptist Church, Crawley, Sussex: Jovy Apostol
Hill Street Baptist Church, Swadlincote: Richard Hill, Liz Smith
Marshalswick Baptist Church, St Albans: Esther Gill, Kirsty Adams
Socketts Heath Baptist Church, Grays: Jack Pittman, Winai and Sandra Akimu-Nyambosaini
Oakham Baptist Church, Rutland: Jennifer Toerien 
Underwood Baptist Church, South Wales: Ede Green
Upton Vale Baptist Church, Torquay: Adam Brace, Bekah Hine, Harvey Preston & David Roots
Well Street United Church, Buckingham, Bucks: Emilie Henrickson, Beverely Strong, Joanna Edworthy, Lydia Cooper and Clair Willoughby
Westward Ho! Baptist Church, Devon: Shirley Killow, Kevin Webdell and Paul Garrett 

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

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

Baptism stories
Cromer Baptist Church, Norfolk has a service on the first Wednesday of the month which, given its location, often attracts some holidaymakers during the summer.
On 3 August two members of the congregation, who are also members of the mother and toddler group, were baptised.  Each gave their testimony and shared their journey to baptism, which was a moving witness to all who came.  The two people who were baptised were Jayne Bromwich and Susan Jacobs – and both brought their children who were encouraged by the minister to stand by the baptistry to see them baptised.


Death
WILLIAMS, the Revd Edward
Passed away peacefully in Malvern on Saturday 23 July, aged 84 years. There was a service of committal at Worcester Crematorium on Wednesday 3 August, followed by a service of thanksgiving at Malvern Baptist Church on the same day.




 

Click here for more information on these positions

Free resources for new Disney Film Pete’s Dragon
Disney’s Pete’s Dragon (in UK cinemas on August 12th) is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. This mainstream, family film from Disney explores themes of faith, family and trust.
Ethos Media has created a family activity booklet helps people to explore together the themes of faith and family evident in the film. An all-age service resource contains film clips, talk outlines and activities to explore the concepts of faith and trust. Click on the link for more: http://ow.ly/Cz6t3033Yuk

Made for goodness: A faithful response to the refugee crisis
This new briefing from the Joint Public Issues Team provides context and information on the refugee crisis, biblical reflection and suggestions for an effective response.  It looks at the history and consequences of the current humanitarian crisis and highlights four specific areas that Churches can engage with and campaign on.  Click here to download from the JPIT website.

Education Sunday - 11 September
For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales.  It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education.  From 2016, it has moved to coincide with the start of the school year and will be on the second Sunday in September.  Resources for this year’s day can be downloaded from the Churches Together in England website.

Copies of Baptist Praise and Worship
Romsey Baptist Church has approximately 100 copies of Baptist Praise and Worship words and several large print copies which are no longer used. It would be willing to donate them to anyone who could use them. Possible help with delivery if needed. Contact Rosemary Green: rosemary.green60@gmail.com