ReCharge NEWS June 2022
Jun 29, 2022
29th June 2022
Pictured Above: Worship time at the Mid-year Assembly, May 2022
APBF Hybrid Congress
5-7th September – online
The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation Congress meets regularly every five years, touching thousands of Baptists every time. APBF has witnessed the faithfulness of God in Asia and the Pacific over the period of 40 years as they have grown to almost 40,000 churches today.
The 10th APBF Congress calls Baptists to gather with the theme Stronger Together in its first Hybrid Congress (available to both in-person and online attendees) and witness yet again God’s faithfulness. In-person in South Korea will allow delegates to interact face-to-face with the speakers. While the online version will provide a seamless flexibility to join the Congress from your location.
Find out more > | REGISTER Church ($250) > | REGISTER individual ($50) >
Citywide Prays for Hobart
Encouraging prayer event
During the shortest daylight week of 19-26 June, coinciding with Dark Mofo, Citywide people were encouraged to seek God through prayer and fasting.
In addition to personal resources, everyone was encouraged to do a neighbourhood walk, praying over the homes and people as they passed.
As well, they met on Rosny Hill on the shortest night to pray for and over the City.
Maybe you could organise a time for your church to pray for your town or city?
Library Aid International
Burnie, Tasmania
We are ecstatic at Library Aid International in Burnie. Ten more boxes will fill our ninth shipping container of teacher resources, school supplies, books and computers that will head to Zimbabwe (see picture at right). It was expected to be ready in September but will now be in the next month or so.
Our greatest need
We want to make a start on our tenth container, but our inwards goods container is pretty empty, see picture below.
Our greatest need IS NOT for finances! It is for books and school supplies as per the attached list. Please pray for these to come our way, especially via school and public libraries that we have good contact with.
To send books and other educational aids to Library Aid International contact Ian Hubble: libraryaidinternational@gmail.com | Message on Facebook
The Values Project
A great resource for your church or small group!
The Values Project is designed to help organisations, churches and groups reflect, talk and learn about our identity and values as communities of faith within the Australian Baptist movement.
As we are reminded of the values that underpin the historical and cultural backbone of our movement, we reflect on how these values impact our attitudes, practices and decisions in our unique contexts.
The Values Project strengthens our sense of identity, encourages connectedness and community across our movement, and informs decision making and leadership.
Four free episodes are available, along with corresponding Scripts, Facilitator’s Guide, Discussion notes, and sermon ideas.
The 4-5 minute videos each focus on one of our four values: 1. Jesus-Centred 2. Community 3. Mission 4. Freedom. They are a great basis for discussion and understanding Baptists, particularly for those new to the movement.
PROXIMITY Pastors’ Muster
Tuesday 26th July (start with lunch) to Wednesday 27th July (end with lunch)
The July Muster will be held in Burnie and is themed around the idea of PROXIMITY.
Proximity is about living close to people so you see them, love them and can listen to them. It will build on from our exploration of Courage at the March Muster.
Over the past 50 years or so, pastors have often been trained to keep people at arm’s length – in our programs and systems and organisations. This is quite strange given that Jesus became like us and “moved in to the neighbourhood” (Jn 1:14 MSG).
At this Muster we will focus in on being driven to get to know people as people, rather than as demographics, target markets or workers.
- WHEN Tuesday July 26 (start with lunch) to Wednesday July 27 (end with lunch)
- VENUE Burnie Baptist Church
- THEME Proximity
- ACCOMMODATION Attendees are responsible for their own accommodation. If you need assistance, please let us know.
- COST $95 – Covers lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on Tuesday and morning tea and lunch on Wednesday
- BOOKINGS Contact RODNEY MARSHALL via email: rodney@tasbaptists.org.au
HEADS UP! Our final Muster for the year will be over two nights at the Silo Hotel, Launceston, 19th-21st September 2022. All expenses paid.
Alpha: You’re Invited!
Join with Hobart Baptist’s Alpha course
Alpha is an opportunity to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment.
ALL WELCOME! In-person and online options are available.
- WHEN 12:30pm, Sundays from 31st July until 9th October
- WHERE
- Online via Zoom OR
- Hobart Baptist Church, 284 Elizabeth Street Hobart
- REGISTER Email info@hobartbaptist.org.au
- INFO alpha.org.au
Emergencies Ministry Training
Tasmanian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry
9.30am to 4pm, FRIDAY 1st July
Campbell Town – Memorial Oval Function Room
Lunch and snacks provided.
Registrations close 20th June 2022
TCC Emergencies Ministry deploys faith-based volunteers to care for affected people in situations such as evacuation centres during fires and floods. To train for this ministry no formal qualifications are required but a positive reference from your faith community leader is essential.
The Federal Government is funding the training scheduled training, so the usual day-long Personal Support training is now offered at the very reduced price of $20+GST (usually $100+GST).
The training day is for both new volunteers and for current volunteers who are due for a refresher course (due every three years).
Topics covered include:
- Understanding the emergency setting
- Tasmanian Emergency Management Arrangements
- The impacts of emergencies on individuals and communities
- Psychological First Aid principles
- Emotional & Spiritual Care principles
- The role of a TCC Emergencies Ministry volunteer
Stamps for Overseas Mission
Help raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia
Your Used Stamps Can Make a Huge Impact
For more than 50 years, Australian Baptists have collected and sold stamps to raise money for Baptist Mission Australia. This simple fundraiser generates about $70,000 every year!
With electronic mediums replacing much of our posted mail, used stamps are becoming harder to source. Thankfully, they are becoming more valuable owing to scarcity.
Jill Ashdown, of Gateway Baptist, oversees this ministry for churches in Tasmania, and she invites anyone to assist by collecting stamps. Stamps received from our churches can be delivered to the Tasmanian Baptist State Office at Riverlands Longford.
Accumulations, old stamp albums, postal history and other stamp memorabilia are also very welcome.
What to do:
- Prepare the stamps by cutting the stamps off the envelope, leaving a 5mm border around the edge.
- Collect a bundle in a box, envelope or bag.
- Drop them off to Riverlands Longford, 159 Wellington St, Longford. The office is open Mon-Fri 9am-1pm. Or else, call to arrange a suitable time: 6391 2202
Other questions? Contact Jill Ashdown: 0439 354 849 | mjashdown@netspace.net.au
EmpowHer 24-Hour Retreat
EmpowHer, south
5pm to 5pm, Fri/Sat 24-25 June 2022
SHELTER . . .
Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.
But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
- Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
- $45/person Covers food and materials. (This is a non-residential retreat.) Contact us if you have hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
- REGISTER ONLINE HERE
- Invite Others: Download brochure
Unholy Matrimony
Nonviolent Direct Action on the Streets of Launceston
In April, Extinction Rebellion Northern Tasmania (XRNT) held a street theatre, Unholy Matrimony, in the centre of Launceston. It aimed to light-heartedly draw attention to the ‘love affair’ between the Australian Government and the fossil fuel industry.
Sally Staley and Jeff McKinnon from City Baptist Church were amongst four who were arrested that day and face court on 8th June. In all about ten people from City Baptist were involved.
- Recharge: What did XRNT hope to achieve by presenting Unholy Matrimony?
Jeff: Despite 30 years of formal reporting by climate scientists and lobbying by concerned citizens, XRNT believes the response of the Australian government has been far too little. Since 2019, XRNT has held mildly disruptive events at which volunteers may be arrested. XRNT maintains an excellent relationship with Tasmania Police.
- ReCharge: Why participate in XRNT events given you face the risk of imprisonment?
Sally: Imprisonment is not something I think about. Many Christians throughout history, starting with Jesus himself, faced court, imprisonment and more. I am nothing like those great saints. But when there is an issue so important as what we face today, with the degradation and destruction of our Lord’s creation, there is a drive within me to alert people to the need to stop polluting creation. The thought of imprisonment does not enter the frame!
Read ReCharge
June/July ReCharge 2022
Your Church CAN: Caring for Foster Carers
Tas Baptists Grow: Hobart Vision Church
Youth: Hobart Baptist Church
From the Mission Director: Take Courage in Dark Times
Church Profile: Gateway Baptist
July 2022 NEWS
May 2022 NEWS
April 2022 NEWS
March 2022 NEWS
February 2022 NEWS
ReCharge News June 2022