Around the Churches, Apr-May 2023
May 10, 2023
Every two months you can catch up with the latest news in Tasmanian Baptist Churches.
North
GATEWAY
Combined service
On Sunday 30th April we had one of our 5th Sunday Combined Services in which people from Gateway, Agape and Gateway Nepali Fellowship join together. These have been so enjoyable in the past and we anticipate another great meeting.
Plans for May Mission Month
During the month of May we will have a variety of speakers sharing of a number of Missions Gateway is connected with, including Prison Fellowship, Shoe Boxes, Thailand, Haiti, Shekinah House, Rahab Ministry,
Stamps!
Gateway Ladies Pizza and Stamp Cutting Night took place recently, where they trimmed stamps in readiness to be sent to QLD to raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia. The used stamps, and national collection raises approx. $70,000.00 every year! Gateway member Jill Ashdown is the “Tasmanian Stamp lady”.
Read how to participate in the Stamp ministry in the NEWS, next week.
CITY BAPTIST, Launceston
Easter | Your prayers appreciated!
We had lovely services over Easter – the Good Friday reflective service was a particular highlight for many, working through a Protestant take on the Stations of the Cross.
City Baptist is still prayerfully seeking a more permanent home to gather in – we would appreciate your prayers for/with us as we seek God’s guidance.
Impacting our community
Members in our community continue activism and pastoral work among migrant communities, the street community and with regard to climate action, representing Jesus’ (and our) heart for going to the margins.
Jeff McKinnon and Garry Billing have started a home-grown discipleship opportunity titled Learning Circles, for people of all backgrounds, who are interested in growing in discipleship, spirituality and mission – learning the ways of Jesus. If you would like to know more, please contact Jeff (jeff@citybaptistchurch.net).
IN OUR THOUGHTS
- John Tomkinson passed away in late March. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Gwen and the family.
- David and Pat Jacobs celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.
NEWSTEAD
Hutchison Family Update
Newstead Baptist Church is very pleased to announce the safe arrival of its newest member, a baby boy, Rafael (Raffy) Warren Hutchison. Raffy was born at 1:56pm on 3rd April and weighed 9.8 pounds (4.46 kgs).
Congratulations to Dan and Maria, Skylah, Octavia and Boaz for this exciting addition to the family. Pastor Dan is on leave until May 17 to be with his family.
Drop-In Centre
Our Friday Senior’s Drop in Centre has recently dropped the “Senior’s” from their name in order to better align with our Strategic Plan.
People of all ages are now welcome to attend the Drop-In Centre each Friday from 1pm until about 3:30pm. Activities include good conversation, tea and coffee, yummy food (cake on special occasions!), darts, eight-ball, and a range of board games including scrabble and upwords.
We really appreciate the willingness of the older members of our congregation to embrace change and the future vision of our church and we look forward to what is in store for this special ministry.
Family Fun Walks
Newstead Baptist Church has partnered with Scripture Union to promote a series of Family Fun Walks. These monthly, short family-friendly walks, are on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm, and easy to get to for those in or near Launceston.
All walks are manageable for families with young children, although not all are pram/stroller-friendly. Our walks so far have been a great opportunity to meet new people and create deeper conversations around our discussion topics. For example, “Are you feeling full or empty?” for recent Trevallyn Dam walk.
All northern Baptist Churches are invited to join us at any of the upcoming walks listed below. This list of walks, along with Scripture Union’s bushwalk series, can be found at https://bootsnall.sutas.org.au, including some useful preparation and safety tips.
Anyone from other local churches or the surrounding community are also welcome.
Upcoming walks
- 4th June Youngtown Regional Park
- 2nd July Lilydale Falls
- 3rd September Gorge Circuit
- 8th Octobe Tamar Island
- 10th November Old Macs Farm
THE POINT
Baptisms
The church was blessed with the baptism of the Cousens family at Greens Beach on the 24th of March: Adam, Sarah, Erica and Tom.
So great to see the family growing in the Lord.
Passover celebrated
On Palm Sunday, The Point Baptist Church welcomed Mark Rogers from The Friends of Israel, who conducted a Passover Seder meal as part of the Sunday service. The event was greatly appreciated by the church, and helped understanding of the significance of the Passover event.
Northwest
LATROBE
Harvest Festival
On March 19th we celebrated our Harvest Festival. The bread, water and the sheaf of wheat along with the Bible, were centre of place, as they remind us of the basic things needed for life.
Food items were brought and displayed, and Pastor Ralph shared with us a reading from Leviticus reminding us of the need to be continually thanking the Lord for all our provisions.
The food was available for purchase after the service and the money raised along with remaining items was given to Gran’s Van. Gran’s Van operates in Devonport to help feed the homeless and people struggling to feed themselves.
SASSAFRAS
Please pray!
Although it would be true to say our congregation is “getting on”, we have suddenly experienced quite a few ‘sickies’!
Please pray for David’s back op; Sheryl’s leg op; Gordon’s cancer struggle; Jean and Karl’s Covid attack and Frans’s back attack! That is a third of our church! Join us to pray for their rapid recovery in every aspect of this attack. We ask in Jesus’s Name:
“Ask in my Name and I will do it”!
John 14:14
WESTBURY
Welcome little Macey
On 18th March, Pastor Matt Holloway, Lacey and big brother Larry welcomed Macey Kate into their family. Let’s celebrate with them for a safe arrival.
WYNYARD
Strengthening our community
- Recently, 17 of our ladies enjoyed a day out with JUST GIRLS to Stanley, where they visited Highfield House, and Joe Lions cottage.
- Many people attended a day of fun and fellowship at the Church Family picnic at Railway Institute hall in April..
- Due to inclement weather, the combined churches Good Friday service was held in our church rather than in Guttridge Gardens as planned.
- Chat n Choose continues to meet on Thursday morning in the school term.
- Wednesday Get Together meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month when people meet for morning tea ,and fellowship and carpet bowls and table games.
- The Food Hub continues to operate on Monday and Friday.
Franz and Heidi Brosch
We are pleased to have welcomed our associate Pastor Franz and Heidi Brosch into our church family,
They input into our church services, with Heidi in the worship team and Franz on the keyboard.
Around the Churches Apr-May 2023
South
CITYWIDE
Clean Up Australia
On 5th March again participated in the Clean Up Australia Day, this year at three different locations. We did not hold a service at Mornington that day, and at Lenah Valley had a prayer time for those not in the field, linking into some of the sites for a report on what was happening. Evaluation of the day will see some changes for next year.
Renovations
There has been some energy and money expended in our first stage of some renovations. We painted our front rooms, and refreshed with new carpet, windows and blinds. Also there has been significant hours and work effected on our roof in a bid to fix numerous leaks. Fund raising is underway for stage 2.
Mission Partnership
Our BMA grant towards outreach to the Hindu community in Hobart has seen the purchase of a 12-seater bus and employment of a coordinator for two-days per week. to facilitate community services. This is now up and running. Praise God.
Anzac Day
In conjunction with the local RSL, we’ve had another exciting Anzac Day in the Park at Lenah Valley. This has grown to be a significant annual community event, this year with an estimated attendance of 800.
We offer various crafts and activities to suit the whole family, all with an Anzac Day theme. We gave away Sausages, drinks and Anzac biscuits. The public were involved and everyone has a fun time. Conversations take place, and links are established. Citywide is blessed by serving.
CLAREMONT
Garage Sale
Claremont Baptist members cleaned out their garages and storerooms to hold a very successful Garage Sale.
While we benefited financially the purpose was to open our doors to our community. We offered a free sausage sizzle and tea and coffee which gave us time to chat to people. At least four people told us they never knew there was a church on the corner (it is a quite inconspicuous building!) Church families got to socialise too and there was a wonderful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the event also proved to be a Covid super-spreader! So, by Easter Sunday we only had eight attending.
A moving and intimate service, a wonderful time of rejoicing that Our Lord has Risen! On Good Friday we were also able to share in coffee and buns at Edge Anglican as has become our tradition.
HOBART
Sanctuary Sunday
On Sunday 19th March, Hobart Baptist celebrated Sanctuary Sunday when all our congregations gathered to worship together. This includes the Karen Community, Mabuhay (Filipino), Vietnamese Fellowships, as well as Hobart Vision Church (Korean). During the service, Yvette Ambrose was baptised.
The Vietnamese Christian Fellowship National Conference
From 11-14 April, almost 200 registrants from the mainland and Vietnam took over the building for their annual conference. Our Vietnamese Family Fellowship hosted the visitors.
Karen Wedding
Congratulations to Karen couple Pan Tay and Nya Le, who were married on Saturday 15th April by Joel Ortiz.
Pray for Christians in Kyiv
Pastor Anton, who we support in Kyiv, sent this message on 1st May. Please pray for him and the faithful people there who are providing hope, help and lodging for refugees:
There was a missile attack 25km south of our refugee centre. Some of our men have been working in the rescue team and were able to help save some of the people in the attack.
Read ReCharge
April/May 2023
- Psalm 91 – A Devotion By Frans Ammerlaan, Sassafras
- Assembly Report 5-6 May 2023 By Linda Guy, Gateway
- Ministry Profile Matt Henderson, Hobart
- BMA’s Geoff Maddock in Tasmania during May Mission Month
- Deep Thought The God of Bethel, by Maddy Svoboda
- Passion and Perserverance Elements for church growth By Michael Henderson
- An Easter Exercise by Crossover’s Andrew Turner
- Greater Launceston Youth Gathering Monthly! PLUS Taking Strides in Basketball
- APRIL News