Heartlands News Archives - Tasmanian Baptists

28 February 202418 March 2024

Reap the Rewards of Transition

Facing the Future - 2024 here we come, Heartlands news

Facing the Future – WELL!

Transition is never simple – but there is always a silver lining

By Jenny Baxter, State Director, EmpowHer

Oh yes! 2024 has really, truly begun.

Children have returned to school, or perhaps just begun. Uni and TAFE students are on the verge of new semesters. The city traffic around the state is at its max for the year. And here we are, ramping up for another twirly dance around our glorious sun.

What does your year look like? Is it a case of the “Same Ol’, Same Ol’”? Or, are you switching to something else? Perhaps you really want to switch, and it isn’t happening because you are stuck in the Same Ol’!

If you are anything like me, you may feel as though your year has begun without any sort of familiarity. We have put our house on the market – but have no idea if or when we will move. I have finished my job – but have not yet begun the next thing. Our daughter and family came to visit a few weeks back – but until recently we had no idea how long they would be staying.

So, we have a full-on mix of excitement, noise, house inspections, constant meal prep, and lots and lots of cuddles! Crazy? Yes. Lovely? Also, yes! Transitioning? Absolutely.

Recover your life

I always feel better when I remember I am not at my best when in transition. It can be so unsettling. Transition throws me sideways in unexpected ways. The “new normal” is not yet apparent. It takes work to remember that until I find an even keel, I need to be kind to myself, and cut myself some slack. Yes, things will level up again.

Over the years I have discovered there is gold within the tricky trials of transition. This liminal moment is an amazing opportunity to grow. I am beyond the usual flow of life. Situations come where it is essential to think outside the box. Unexpected and unprecedented problems beg to be solved. Learning curves are often steep, steep, steep.

There is gold to be found in the tricky trials of transition

Do you recognise the pattern? This is the growing and maturing process, common to every person on the planet. Whether learning to walk, to relate to others, or to solve complex problems, what I learn today will help me in my tomorrows.

This is Jesus’ encouragement to me (and to you too), as he says, “Take heart, dear one! I promise to be with you in your ups and downs. Keep company with me to live freely and lightly.”

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Managing transition

Here are some ideas to face your future, and thrive, through transition . . .

Get enough rest. Sleeping well helps you stay sharp. Here are a few strategies to help regularly get those 8-hours:
Breathe. I know – so simple, who would have thought? Long, slow, deep breathing does wonders. Try this: Get yourself comfortable, then . . . Breathe in through your nose for a count of five. Hold for five. Breathe out through your mouth for eight. Repeat five times. That’s it! You will soon be out to it.
Listen. Sometimes your mind is so active you need a bit more help. There are many sleep podcasts on Spotify and Youtube. Search around. Find some earbuds and find a favourite.
Keep up your exercise regimen. Exercise is more important than ever to get through these unpredictable days. There are many free apps to help you with daily exercise discipline. From gentle to vigorous, see what works for you.
Prayer and Bible study. These daily disciplines can be short, but incredibly valuable to keep priorities in the right place. There are free study plans on the YouVersion Bible App, and Lectio 365 has encouraging daily reflections and prayers. There are many others.
Ask for help. While this can be really hard, there is no shame in off-loading to a safe and trusted friend, family member, mentor or coach. Work with others to share the load, the kids, the laundry, and the nightmare! I know a do-it-by-myself girl, who was too proud to “suck it up” and ask for support. She toughed out incredibly difficult circumstances on her own. Sadly, she reaped consequences decades later, finding herself alone and physically broken. Learn from her mistakes.

Look for the GOLD

You know what they say: “Short term pain. Long term gain.” This is the essence of transtion. In reality, facing the future like this is a gift. Even if it is uncomfortable, good things will come. So stick at it, look for the gold, and know that one day not only will the “new normal” be the “Same Ol'” – you will have grown and matured as well!

Jenny Baxter is the State Director for EmpowHer, Tasmanian Baptists’ women’s ministry arm. During Covid she experienced burnout, and learnt that stopping for a bit to take a breather is probably a good idea. Jenny and her husband Stephen live in Hobart, and enjoy a walk on the beach together most days.

Need help? Contact Jenny to find a good mentor to talk through your transition: jb@jennybaxter.com.au

Go back to Heartlands Summer 2024

2024 Here we Come

Heartlands Summer 2024

Heartlands is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

WHAT WILL FOLLOW THE DAY OF COURAGE?

Women’s Event On the Way

After the success of the EmpowHer Day of Courage last November, the organising team are praying about what to do next, because clearly, women want to gather!

At this stage we are thinking there will be a similar event in early 2025.

Stay tuned for more details to follow.

A REQUEST: To create another special day like this, it will be necessary to grow the statewide team. Pleace get in touch to express your interest: empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS.

BE INSPIRED

2024 Here We Come

Perhaps transition a feature of your life right now? Facing the future “well” is for the brave-hearted!

READ HERE

TASMANIAN WOMEN CONNECT GLOBALLY

Join the Women Leaders Network

The concept of the WLN began with a whisper from God to Karen Wilson four years ago. Karen is the Vice President International Ministries – Global Leadership Network; CEO – Global Leadership Network Australia and New Zealand; and the International President of Baptist Women’s World Alliance.

God gave a clear and compelling vision for women in leadership. The vision was of women who are generals, standing alongside one another right around the coasts of every country of the world.

Karen says, “I believe God said that they are waiting for His Spirit to come to their land and are protecting those who are behind them. They are all magnificently tall, strong, brave, and united! Dressed and ready in the full armour of God, ready for what He needs them to do. These women stand together as a global army”. A local artist captured her vision in a beautiful artwork (below).

The Tasmanian Women Leader’s Network will launch in two areas in the coming months. The north will be led by Amanda Towns, and the south by Jenny Baxter.

Together, we will join in conversations of hope and encouragement, and seek God about the positioning of our Tasmania Networks.

If you have not already indicated your interest, you are welcome sign up by scanning the QR code.

A VIDEO to CHALLENGE YOU

Karen Wilson Sees Differently

Rev. Karen Wilson, guest speaker at last November’s Day of Courage spoke at Hobart Baptist Church.

TODAY’S THOUGHT

To Obey or, maybe, Disobey?

You can so easily limit your capacity

Did you hear of the lady-of-the-manor in old England? She was ordered bedrest by her family doctor to recover from an ailment. Straightaway, she began organising her household from her bedroom. Years later, a new doctor came to town, and when doing the rounds to visit his patients came across the bedridden woman. When she explained why she was still in bed, he said, “Get up woman! You are perfectly well!”

We can all be guilty of a little too much obedience at times. Especially when to comes to doing what an authority says. And really, there’s no doubt you need to take care, especially if being given doctor’s orders. But it’s so easy to misinterpret what is intended to be a temporary instruction.

It’s a good reminder that you are often a better judge of your body’s capacity than a doctor or other “expert”. Or put it another way, you are response-able!

Can you identify ways you have limited yourself because you’ve been told your limit by someone else?

MICAH WOMEN LEADER’S NETWORK*

Your Invite: Asuntha Charles Evening

The Micah Women Leaders annual gatherings (previously breakfasts) are now in their fourth year. It is a unique gathering, bringing together women Christian Leaders from across the state for an important conversation on justice, leadership, and how to use your voice as an advocate for change.

You are very welcome to attend! Be assured you will be amongst friends as several of our Baptist women are already signed up.

WHEN: Tuesday 19 March 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

WHERE: C3 Convention Centre, 64 Anglesea St, South Hobart TAS 7004

COST: $35

RSVP by Monday 4 March 2024

MORE INFO / BOOK HERE

GUEST SPEAKERS
Asuntha Charles, Global Women’s Rights Advocate. Asuntha was the National Director for World Vision Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover. She will provide a firsthand account of the needs she is seeing around her, as well as her experiences in some of the world’s toughest contexts.
Tim Costello, Executive Director of Micah Australia. Tim will connect current global events to our biblical mandate to pursue justice.

*NB: The Micah Women Leaders Network is quite distinct from the Global Leadership Women Leaders Network, referred to above.

Heartlands Spring 2023

29 November 20234 April 2024

Day of Courage En-courages

^{ABOVE Top: Jenny Baxter asks for volunteers to demonstrate C-O-U-R-A-G-E; Below: Speakers on the day}

The EmpowHer Day of Courage

MAJOR SPONSORS: BAPTIST FINANCIAL SERVICES

By Fiona Bradley

On Saturday 18th November, women from across Tasmania gathered at Longford for the inaugural statewide event, hosted by EmpowHer.

The Day of Courage sold out weeks ahead of time, with over 120 people from different denominations across Tasmania. The event provided an opportunity to connect with others learning to live out their God-given potential, hearing stories of courage.

Keynote speaker, Rev. Karen Wilson (Perth WA), opened and closed the event. Currently the President of Baptist World Alliance Women, Karen spoke openly and warmly. In particular, she focussed on a recent accident, which taught her courage in the midst of her international schedule.

Mixing humour with insight, she also told of her hiking trip in 2018 along the famous Camino de Santiago trail. Karen explained how the hike forged courage at a key point in her life, and inspired listeners to be well-grounded in courage. As she spoke, she provided practical tips and challenged the audience to do the same.

Four other Tasmanian women provided candid testimonies about how their lives had been shaped by courage. Each story was very different and described courage in grief, change, trauma and at work.

A “Gathering”, not a “Conference”

Jenny Baxter, State Director of EmpowHer, explained how the event and theme emerged as an idea with the EmpowHer team.

“We wanted to make it more of a gathering than a conference, and focused on small touches toward this. Such as having people sitting around tables rather than facing the stage. As well, we provided grazing platters over lunch with live background music, rather than singing during the event itself.”

According to Jenny, Karen Wilson was an obvious choice for main speaker.

“I know her personally. She’s warm, very accessible. And she has great stories from her travels meeting with courageous women in all parts of the globe,” she said.

One highlight of the day was the Baptist World Day of Prayer* session, when attendees prayed for women worldwide. Funds were raised for projects, in particular those organised by Baptist Women of the Pacific.

Day of Courage 18 Nov 23 - EmpowHer Tasmania
Day of Courage En-courages — By standing shoulder-to-shoulder, women affirmed that Courage is stronger when with others.

Jenny said the Day of Courage exceeded expectations, going way beyond what she thought was possible. “The event highlights the power of our stories and the benefit of showing up and getting together as women on the journey.”

Others present on the day agreed

Attendee Michelle Walters said, “It was lovely to spend time with like-minded women. Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this beautiful day together and sharing your gifts and talents with us”.

“Excellent, well organised, loved the little extras like gift bags, coasters. Food was superb. Great to have women from different denominations come together. Karen was excellent. Thank you to all those who made the day happen,” said attendee Anita Brooker.

“Well done on a beautiful event and doing such a great job gathering people from across denominations and from around the state,” said attendee Danielle Ratcliffe.

Fiona Bradley
Hobart Baptist Church

In Other News
Fiona has agreed to take on the position of Tas Baptist Communications Manager from January 2024!

*DONATE TO THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

EmpowHer Team: Jenny Baxter (S), Jenna Blackwell (N), Wendy Marston (N), Gabe Fife (NW). Ann Robertson (S), while unable to attend on the day, assisted with the organising of the event.

EmpowHer Day of Courage En-courages — Karen Wilson shared dinner with the team before the Day of Courage. From left: Jenny, Karen, Jenna, Wendy, Gabe.

Go back to Heartlands Spring 2023 >

SUBSCRIBE TO HEARTLANDS

Day of Courage En-courages

Heartlands Spring 2023

Heartlands is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Table of Contents

WOMEN GATHERED!

EmpowHer Day of Courage

What happened on the big day?

WHEN: Saturday 18th November 2023 Riverlands Baptist (Longford)

KEYNOTE: Rev. Karen Wilson President of the Baptist World Alliance Women, and CEO of the Global Leadership Network Aus/NZ.

Fiona Bradley (Hobart ) gives a rundown about the Day of Courage, when women from many denominations gathered with us for one day of en-couragement.

READ the RUNDOWN