Heartlands Archives - Tasmanian Baptists

July 26, 2023September 20, 2023

ReCharge NEWS July 2023

26th July 2023 | ReCharge News

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NCLS Webinar for Leaders

Thriving and Resilient Leadership, 11am and 7.30pm Wednesday 2 August 2023

WEBINAR FREE TICKET

NCLS Research presents a webinar on “Thriving and Resilient Leadership: Latest findings and reflections on resilience, fulfilment and thriving in church leadership post-COVID”.

This webinar explores how Australian church leaders are coping, and what factors contribute to their resilience. Findings are based on the results from the 2021-22 NCLS Leader Survey by NCLS Research.

You will discover:

• What does thriving look like and what is burnout?
• How has it changed in Australian church leadership over the past five years? Are current practices sustainable?
• What are the personal foundations contributing to resilience and sustainable leadership?
• Practical ministry implications: Case studies and guiding principles for leaders.

Speakers

Sam Sterland, Senior Researcher of NCLS Research, will present research findings on leader wellbeing and resilience, and responses to COVID-19.

Guest speaker Tim Dyer will provide his reflections on the implications of these findings for ministry and mission.

Youth Alive Undivided

NORTH: 6pm 18th August | NW: 6pm 19th August | SOUTH: 6pm 25th August

BOOK NOW

VOLUNTEER

In August, Youth Alive are running “Undivided” – three regional youth gatherings. They would love to invite your youth ministry and young people!

Youth Alive’s mission is to reach young people with the message of Jesus. They believe these events will see youth ministries united, faith ignited, momentum gained, and young people respond to the Gospel!

Outreach events are a great way to unite young people, reach youth, and share the truth of Jesus. At every one of these events attendees will be invited to a local church or youth ministry as a next step of faith. They would like to partner with you to help reach the next generation.

The Youth Alive team are building volunteer teams for each of these events. If you would like to volunteer, please click the button, below.

Winter Heartlands

Heartlands, the quarterly e-news for women, was released last Friday 14th July.
There’s lots of good reading here >

Day of Courage Registrations are OPEN
Sat 18th November, ALL WOMEN WELCOME!

Australian Baptist Women ends
Find out what happened, and what happens next.

Being Transformed
Tuning into the heart of God. By Jenna Blackwell.

Villain-Origin Story
Or testimony in-the-making? By Maddie Mandall

SUBSCRIBE TO HEARTLANDS

Pastors’ and Families’ Muster

11th-13th July, Devonport

The July 2023 Muster was held at Oldaker Christian Church in Devonport. Here, pastors and their families found a comfortable space which was suitable for music ministry, teaching, eating and a great children’s program.

During the Muster, guest speaker Bree Mills explained her work around the idea of “micro-church”. This included how we might better disciple people, by adding small faith-based communities to our local church contexts. Read Bree’s article about Missional Leadership >

Wednesday afternoon free-time, brought several families together as they headed up to Leven Canyon to enjoy a bushwalk, and one another’s company.

Thanks must go to Jenna Blackwell for organising the Muster; Bree Mills for coming from Melbourne to speak; Bryce Roberts and Nicole Mayall for caring for the children; and David Pearson and Oldaker Christian Church for their excellent hospitality!

L to R: Bree Mills; Worship team; Leven Canyon walk; Everyone; Michael Henderson; Bryce and Nic are thanked.

Some Impressions of the Muster

Putting missional intent into all my “activities” can transform them.
Great connection and relationship.
The overall highlight for me was being with other pastors and families and having a chance to share life.
Be Discipling.
Motivation to support pioneers and keep them linked onto and supported by the church.
Being Together, kids and all. To be intentional Living in the tension of a ‘hybrid’ model.
Good tools with implementation guidance with safeguards are always welcome.

EmpowHer Day of Courage

Registrations now open!

On Saturday 18th November, all women are welcome to attend the Day of Courage at Riverlands Longford. The speaker is Karen Wilson, President Baptist World Alliance Women, and CEO of the Gobal Leadership Network Australia. She will explore the topic of being well-grounded.

Already there is interest across the state, from a broad cross-section of the community. This will be a special day – not to be missed! Postcards are now available to invite your friends and family. If you cannot see them at your church, contact empowher@tasbaptist.org.au.

Registration covers morning tea, lunch and all materials.

EARLYBIRD: $45/person – Until 30th August
FULL PRICE: $55/person – From 31st August

INFO/REGISTER HERE

SparkLit Awards Night

Thursday 31st August

The 2023 Australian Christian Book of the Year, Young Australian Christian Writer and Australian Christian Teen Writer Awards will be announced and prizes presented during this year’s SparkLit Awards Night on Thursday 31 August. Join in online to celebrate the courage and endeavour of Australian Christian writers!

Register now to receive the livestream link (free of charge) to watch the in-person event at St Alfred’s Anglican Church, Blackburn North.

The Australian Christian Literature Awards encourage Christian writing and publishing that helps people discover Jesus in a way that is authentic and culturally meaningful. The SparkLit Awards recognise and encourage excellence in Australian Christian writing and publishing.

Intergenerate Conference 2023

9am-4:30pm, Friday 18th August

There is a great national conference coming to Hobart (via satellite). This year the theme is: A Gospel for all Ages.

The conference comes highly recommended by Anthea Maynard (City Baptist, Launceston):

“I have been part of the national intergenerational resourcing group for a number of years. The speakers are excellent and have practical and thoughtful ways to explore intergenerational faith formation and community engagement. “

Find out more at the Intergenerate Facebook page >

NCLS Update

Checking-in on your church’s health

Did you know you don’t need to wait five years for the next National Church Life Survey to listen to your church?

The Church Life Survey, by NCLS Research, is one of the church survey tools available to local churches and can be done anytime. It is an opportunity to check-in regularly and receive updated feedback and insights into church health and vitality, including your congregation’s experience of church life, discernments for the future and willingness to be involved.

Both paper and online survey options are offered, with a quick turnaround of results. After completion of the Survey, churches will receive a Church Life Profile that provides insights into the life and experiences of church attenders and provide indicators of church health and vitality which can inform and equip future directions for ministry and mission.

For more information, please visit ncls.org.au/churchlifesurveys

NCLS Survey - Listen to your church attenders at any time

Hold Fast Outreach

The Point are hosting a 25-day Texan Partnership Mission

Four Texans have arrived in Beauty Point, three of whom have partnered with the church ten times in the last 14 years! The outreach began on 23rd June, and will continue through until 19th July.

There will be a number of events ranging from Men’s, Women’s, and Kid’s outreach events, including a holiday club and basketball clinic. there will also be Bible studies and several family events.

CONTACT Rachelle Hawkins for more info on 0409 272 877.
DOWNLOAD the brochure, which includes a short bio on the Texans.

All are welcome to come and be part of it!

School Chaplains

Positions Vacant with Scripture Union Tas

Provide emotional, social, and spiritual support to school communities…

Scripture Union has multiple chaplaincy positions available across Tasmania. Chaplains provide emotional, social, spiritual, and often practical support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown, loneliness, depression and anxiety.

SU Chaplaincy models the compassion and unconditional love demonstrated and taught by Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. Chaplains will be sensitive to, respectful of, and available to all regardless of beliefs or religious affiliations. All SU Chaplaincy staff and volunteers are champion a child-safe culture, and commit to the highest standards of safety and care in their work with children, young people and families.

See positions available in Tasmania >

Heartlands Winter 2023

Heartlands Winter 2023 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

FOR ALL WOMEN

EmpowHer Day of Courage

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Saturday 18th November 2023 | Riverlands Baptist (Longford)

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

Join the EmpowHer team and women from around the state as we gather for the Day of Courage. This will be a 21st-Century gathering (not a Conference!)

THEME: Well Grounded | Postcards now available to invite your friends!

INFO AND REGISTRATIONS

NEW-LOOK WOMEN’S MINISTRY

The end for
Australian Baptist Women

Did you know Australian Baptist Women has been ‘a thing’ since the 1930s? But as all things begin, so all things must end.

By EmpowHer State Leader Jenny Baxter

READ WHAT HAPPENED

TUNING INTO THE HEART OF GOD

Being Transformed

Jenna Blackwell, a member of the Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission and Leadership Development Team, gives insight into God’s amazing heart of grace.

Inner Critic: Why don’t you have everything together?
Jesus’ gentle voice: Did you hear about the disciples I chose?

BEING WELL-GROUNDED

Villain-Origin Story?

or Testimony in Progress

As the EmpowHer Day of Courage nears, Heartlands News will feature some deeper thinking articles for readers to press into the idea of being “Well-Grounded”.

Maddie Mandall (Queensland Baptist Women) writes: If we allow our wounds to fester, they end up driving us and defining us in monstrous ways.

Heartlands Winter 2023, Villain Origin story, or Testimony in the making?

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Heartlands Winter 2023

July 14, 2023August 2, 2023

Australian Baptist Women Ends

Tasmanian State Leader Jenny Baxter explains why Australian Baptist Women began, and how things have changed.

In the early days in Tasmania, there were some heroic women who led the ministry in during the depression when cars were still few, telephones a luxury item, and most communication was done by mail!

Setting the scene

Australian Baptist Women (ABW) has been an entity since the 1930s. When the national body began, it aimed to provide opportunities for Baptist women to gather and connect. ABW was formed separately to the infant Australian Baptist Ministries, which began a few years earlier in 1926.

Nationally, ABW State leaders were appointed. This handful of women oversaw the ministry in each state and territory, gathering annually until 2020. Around that time, independent of one another, the states/territories gradually ceased those positions, with the exception of Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.

20th-Century ministry?

No thanks!

After over a decade with no Tasmanian leader, I was appointed in 2017. By then, many Tasmanian Baptist women’s ministries had wound down. I soon discovered there was little appetite for returning to 20th Century-style women’s ministry.

Nationally, things were moving. Covid disrupted plans for the ABW national meeting in 2021, and then came a series of online discussions, think-tanks and brainstorms. But nothing seemed to fly. The question was: How do we continue to support Baptist women, when state Unions are less inclined to appoint ABW state leaders?

THE QUESTION: How do we continue to support Baptist women, when state Unions are less inclined to appoint ABW state leaders?

Moving onto 2023

In May this year, the National Council Taskforce gathered in Sydney. There was intense and robust discussion about women and women’s ministry. However, good decisions were made.

Soon afterwards, National Ministries Director Mark Wison, made an official announcement.

As a result of this announcement, ABW officially ceased to exist:

The clear decision of National Council is that ABW, as a delegated body, is not the desired way forward for the State Leaders and National Council Taskforce. This decision is due to a number of factors including lack of agreement on purpose/scope, lack of buy-in from state associations [unions], changing understandings of needs and the inconsistency with how other delegated bodies operate. National Council has a desire to bring this group to an end well and recognises there might be different responses from current ABW group members. Some may feel disappointed or hurt, others relieved or even excited about the change.

Mark Wilson continued …

I want to affirm that this in no way says National Council is not committed to developing and supporting women leaders . . . National Council is creating a new delegated body, specifically focused on Women in Leadership. This is a new group and will involve representatives appointed by each state association [union].

What does this mean for us?

In God’s goodness, we Tasmanians were ahead of the curve!

Since 2021 a statewide team consisting of Wendy Marston (Newstead), Jenna Blackwell (City, Launceston), Gabe Fife (Ulverstone), and myself (Hobart) have met, mostly on Zoom (and very rarely in-person!)

EmpowHer became our new name.

EmpowHer Team Sept 2021 — The EmpowHer Team: Jenna, Jenny, Wendy, Gabe (Sept 2021)

EmpowHer Vision:

A network of women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

EmpowHer Mission:

Providing community, training, and support for Tasmanian women to empower them to move into leadership, and to take their God-given place within the Baptist churches of Tasmania.

I look forward to this new era as we further develop EmpowHer.
Here is what’s happening next …

Day of Courage

The Day of Courage in November will be the first statewide event in this new paradigm. We are looking forward to hosting as many women as possible at Riverlnds (Longford). All women are welcome!

Women’s National Taskforce

I will also work with the National Taskforce to help develop the newly delegated body, focussing on women in leadership.

The team and I value your prayers as we lead and encourage women around Tasmania.

Jenny Baxter
State Director, EmpowHer
jenny@tasbaptists.org.au

March 3, 2023June 15, 2023

Heartlands Autumn 2023

Heartlands Autumn 2023 is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Last October, Day of Prayer events were held around Tasmania. Did you get to one of them? These are incredibly encouraging times of hearing, praying and giving.

DAY OF PRAYER ATTENDEES …

HEARD about the work, and worlds, of women around the globe.
PRAYED for the women, some of them have devastating stories.
GAVE to the amazing projects, run by women, which are changing families and communities.

In 2020, Australian women raised a total of $365.
In 2021, Tasmanian women raised a total of $560.
And in 2022, Tasmanian women raised a total of $869! WOOT!

Great work everyone! Watch out for the Day of Prayer opportunities in your region in October 2023, and make a difference to our world.

NORTHERN EVENT

Weekend Wind-Down

Fireside Chats EmpowHer event 17th March 2023

WHEN: 7-8:30pm Friday 17th March 2023
WHERE: ~~Hoo Hoo Hut, Trevallyn Nature and Rec Area (Duck Reach Rd)~~
WHERE? Change of plan! New location: Liv-Eat Kings Meadows,
Shop 143 Hobart Rd. SEE MAP
WHAT: Wind-down for the weekend and enjoy supper!
WHO: All women welcome
INFO: Wendy (0407 765 414); Mary (0408 335 618)
FLIER: Unfortunately, the flier is now out of date and no longer available.

SO FAR IN 2023

Women in Leadership

No Limits Conference Feb 2022, Heartlands Autumn 2023

Ann Herbert explains what took place at the recent No Limits women’s conference in Brisbane, when many of the sessions explored the importance of women in church leadership.

Pictured above are Tasmanian attendees Jenna Blackwell (City), Zahara Rehrman (Summerhill), Tracey Avery (City), Ann Herbert (Citywide); Jenny Baxter (Hobart), and Kez Hutchison (Wynyard) . Plus the speakers panel, and the women gathered.

READ Ann’s article

ON THE LOOKOUT?

WANTED: Southern Team Members

EmpowHer are looking for additional team members in Southern Tasmania.

If you regularly attend a Baptist church, enjoy being with women, and are good at organising things, then how about joining our team?

Please contact Jenny Baxter to find out more: jenny@tasbaptists.org.au

EmpowHer Southern Tas Activities, Heartlands Autumn 2023 — Recent EmpowHer Southern Tasmania events

Heartlands Spring 2022

ACTION TO CONSIDER

Learn to Live with Less

How one family stopped shopping for a year

Ethical consumption isn’t just about what you buy; it’s also learning to live with less.

Here’s how one family took drastic action to discover what they really need for a fulfilling life.

From Baptist World Aid.

READ: How one family stopped shopping

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Heartlands Spring 2022

Heartlands Autumn 2023

October 10, 2022November 22, 2022

Heartlands Spring 2022

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

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Check the details on these events by scrolling down.
Have you subscribed to Heartlands to find out about events in your region?

Pro-Tip: DOWNLOAD invitations to invite your friends by email, or print some for your church, or another group.

DAY OF PRAYER, northwest

Ulverstone Baptist
10am, Saturday 22nd October
RSVP Mon 17th Oct gabefife@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD Northwest, Day of Prayer Invite

DAY OF PRAYER, south

Claremont Baptist
2pm, Saturday 22nd October
RSVP Sat 15th Oct jenny@tasbaptists.org.au

DOWNLOAD South, Day of Prayer Invite

MORNING TEA, northwest

Monclair of Latrobe
10am,Saturday 12th November

DOWNLOAD Morning Tea Invite

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Late October/Early November 2022

World Day of Prayer 2022, Heartlands Spring 2022

Heartlands Spring 2022, Day of Prayer 2022

President of Baptist Women of the Pacific Elissa Macpherson explains what the Day of Prayer event is all about.

This event was launched by the Baptist World Alliance Women over sixty years ago, after World War II had shattered unity between the nations.

Heartlands Spring 2022

Action for You

FOMO or JOMO?

Do you suffer from FOMO? It is so easy to have a Fear Of Missing Out!

The Joy of Missing Out, Heartlands Spring 2022 — **You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and**
**clothed me with joy.** *Psalm 30:11 (NIV)*

We don’t want to miss out what’s on social media. So we scroll, and keep on scrollinig.

We don’t want to miss out on that delicious cake or muffin. So we stack the kilos on.

We don’t want to miss out on that special moment, or this event, or the other big gathering. And in the process wear ourselves out.

But check this: THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!

Have you heard of JOMO?

The “Joy Of Missing Out” is easy too.

Stop scrolling, and ease your anxious heart.

Say NO to that cake – and enjoy a slimmer you.

Take a break from endless commitments, to make some space to rest your body, soul and spirit.

Instead of being fearful of missing out, choose JOY and relief in taking time out. Today.

Women Making a Difference

From one Generation to the Next

Love Beyond our Backyard

Three generations of northwest Baptist women leave a wonderful legacy across the world.

Sophia Russell recently chatted with three women from the same family from Wynyard: Shirley Wilson, daughter Cindy and granddaughter Kelsea Clingeleffer. Kelsea is the International Programs Coordinator at Baptist World Aid.

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Heartlands Spring 2022

August 31, 2022October 7, 2022

Love Beyond our Backyard

From Local to Global

How three generations of Baptist World Aid supporters built a legacy of generosity

“Giving has shaped our lives to bring a perspective way beyond our backyard“

Shirley Wilson remembers the day she first decided to become a Child Sponsor with Baptist World Aid Australia.

It was 1977, and she was raising four children, working part time as a nurse, and helping her husband, Graeme, run a small poultry farm in the northwest of Tasmania.

A guest speaker from Baptist World Aid Australia visited Wynyard Baptist, and spoke about a Child Sponsorship program. He explained that Australians could provide a monthly gift to support the work of Christian Partners working in places like Bangladesh and India. The funding would support children in those countries, helping them build a future free from poverty.

‘I decided it would be a good thing,’ Shirley said. ‘I’ve always loved Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “as much as you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did to me,” and I wanted to put it into practice’.

A Thrilling Discovery

After that Sunday, Shirley decided to support Anika*, a Child Partner living in India. Anika was nine years old, which made it easy for Shirley’s similarly aged daughter, Cindy, to connect with her. Cindy was thrilled to discover Anika enjoyed the same things she did—skipping rope, running games, playing outside with friends. But Cindy also learnt that their lives were vastly different.

‘It was an interesting education to have insight into somebody else’s world,’ Cindy said. ‘That’s when I started to think outside my own community.’

‘It was an interesting education to have insight into somebody else’s world,’ Cindy said.

Cindy loved exchanging letters with Anika so much, that when she got her first job as a teenager, she used her pocket money to become a Sponsor.

‘Mum’s example had a big impact on me,’ she said. ‘We can’t all go overseas, but this is how we can contribute’.

One Generation, to the Next

Cindy didn’t stop contributing—even when she married her husband David and they had children of their own. And even when it wasn’t easy. ‘David lost his job about 20 years ago,’ Cindy said. ‘We clung on to our Child Partner for as long as we could, so it was heartbreaking when we couldn’t support him anymore’.

When David started working again, the first thing they did was ask if their Child Partner was still available to support. ‘I was so happy that he was,’ Cindy said. ‘That made me realise what a big impact our Child Partners had on us.’

Sponsorship also had a big impact on Cindy’s kids. Her eldest children, Kelsea and Braden, took over a newspaper delivery business as teenagers, and used their earnings to support a Child Partner themselves.

‘My mother’s heart sang!’ Cindy recalls. But for Kelsea, raised by big-hearted parents and grandparents who travelled with overseas mission organisations, generosity wasn’t something extraordinary. It was just part of the Christian life.

Generosity wasn’t something extraordinary. It was just part of the Christian life

A BIG Perspective

‘I always knew that there were communities that were in different circumstances to mine,’ Kelsea said. ‘In my family, it was normal to see the world as a bigger place, not just to focus on us.’

This perspective eventually led Kelsea to pursue a career in international community development, spending 22 months in Cambodia with the United Nations Development Program. At the beginning of 2022, she started serving as an International Programs Coordinator at Baptist World Aid. Her role, which focuses on building community resilience and responding to disasters, is a far cry from her paper delivery days. But her heart is the same.

‘While it’s easy just to focus on ourselves, God calls us to love our neighbour,’ Kelsea said. ‘That might be the person next door, or it might be someone overseas.’

Having a Heart that Rubs Off

Today, Shirley, Cindy and Kelsea still call the northwest coast of Tasmania home. And they continue their legacy of generosity. Shirley’s home is full of gifts she’s crafted for children in need overseas—girl’s skirts, doll clothes, toy hedgehogs made from old scarves. She’s still supporting children, now with friends from Wynyard Baptist Church. And she couldn’t be prouder of her granddaughter Kelsea.

‘You always hope that having a heart for others rubs off on your kids, and their kids,’ Shirley said. ‘It’s pleasing to know that we can make a difference to someone else’s life.”

Cindy, who is still part of Baptist World Aid’s Child sponsorship program, agrees. ‘We’re not meant to live as islands,’ she said. ‘As Christians, we’re called to live in community and support each other, even across the globe’.

*not her real name

Sophia Russell is the wife of a minister, mum of two children and the communication specialist at Baptist World Aid.

Read Heartlands, Spring 2022

Read ReCharge

August/September 2022

Disaster Strikes Floods in Pakistan – Baptist World Aid
Around the Churches News and events statewide
Ministry Profile Ben Cochrane, Somerset
Deep Thought 21st Century Mission by Laurie Rowston
From Andrew Turner of Crossover Census Overview
Stand Sunday 2022 Make a stand for foster carers ~ During September
Church Profile Claremont Baptist
From the MLT Achieving Lasting Social Change

August 2022 NEWS
July 2022 NEWS

DOWNLOAD Recent Issues

Love Beyond our Backyard

July 22, 2022August 24, 2022

HEARTLANDS News Winter 2022

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

Diary Dates

Check the details on these events by scrolling down.
Have you subscribed to Heartlands to find out about events in your region?

Fri/Sat 24/25 June SOUTH Shelter Retreat – read the overview!
Sunday 31st July NORTH Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft at Westbury Baptist
Saturday 17th September NORTHWEST Coffee and Walk, Latrobe
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

Southern Event

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

How the Shelter retreat weekend unfolded

OUR THEME: 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

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

Denise Stephenson and Jenny Baxter — Denise and Jenny

The retreat was led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
A rejuvenating literal Sabbath, from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday
Delicious home-cooked meals, in an intimate setting
Great connection with old and new friends
Amazing harp music – live and in-person!
Times of input, plus silence and reflection
Creative activities to keep minds focussed, and hands busy
A trip to the beach to explore and reflect
Private counselling and prayer opportunities
A real sense of God’s SHELTER in this busy world

Denise and Jenny are available to run similar women’s retreats in other parts of Tasmania.
To express interest please contact Jenny at empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

Northwestern Event

10:30am Saturday 17th September

Pig Island Walk with EmpowHer, Sept 2022

Invite Others! Download Brochure

Join a friendly leisurely walk at Pig Island Latrobe on the Mersey River.

Continue with coffee at at Monclair of Latrobe and Madame M Cafe.

All women welcome!

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Gabrielle – 0421 434 138

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Late October/Early November 2022

This year there will be Day of Prayer events held in the north, northwest and south of Tasmnia as we pray toether and raise funds for Baptist women working on some amazing projects in developing countries.

Subscribe to HEARTLANDS to find out details of these events as they come to hand!

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

Northern Event – NOW OVER!

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Come along for a cuppa and craft at Westbury Baptist for a relaxed afternoon together.

We will be joined by special guests Maria Hutchison (Newstead) and Lacey Holloway (Westbury).

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188 | Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

Action for You

Invite someone along

Have you noticed that not everyone is back yet?

Winter walk at the beach — We all need each other!

Post-Covid hesitancy is a thing. Maybe it’s because people are reluctant to move out of their houses and safe spaces. Or maybe we got used to managing on our own.

Whatever the reason, it’s true to say we all need each other. Being part of a community is critical to good mental and emotional health.

Whether or not you are wary about getting back into circulation, why not ask a friend to come with you? That could be as simple as going for a walk together on the beach, grabbing a coffee at a local café, or heading off to the gym or church together.

Or maybe you could invite someone to one of the EmpowHer events lined up in your region.

It’s a good time to be the blessing!

God’s Whisper

It’s so easy to think up your own answer to a problem. Instead, remember to listen for God’s still, quiet voice.

By Jenny Baxter

Too many people and not enough food!
How many times have you been caught in that situation? I have to admit, I’ve been there a few times. Tiny servings of apple crumble, and thinned-down pumpkin soup have featured on my table, much to my horror.

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

SUBSCRIBE HERE

July 22, 2022August 24, 2022

God’s Whisper

Waiting for that still, quiet voice …

God’s Whisper

It’s so easy to think up your own answer to a problem.

By Jenny Baxter

Too many people and not enough food! How many times have you been in that situation? I have to admit, I’ve been caught with that a few times. Very small servings of apple crumble, and thinned-down pumpkin soup have featured on my table, much to my horror.

Have you noticed how we usually try to solve problems using our own nicely thought up solutions? That’s what the disciples did in this story when Jesus gave them an out-of-the-box response . . .

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:35-36 (NIV)

When faced with catering for 5,000, they suggested the crowds go find their own food. They were providing the obvious, most expedient and rational solution to quite a large problem. It was an immediate response – they didn’t stop to consider Jesus may have a far more creative solution sitting in the background. I have to admit, small servings of apple crumble was my best solution one wintry evening.

Just like the disciples, when I faced a problem, I automatically turned my mind to solving it. However, sometimes there is a way ahead which I did not expect nor plan. It is at those points of dire need, when things seem to have fallen apart, that miracles happen.

The BEST Plan?

It’s so easy to think up your own answer to a problem, and to look at it from a human perspective. To gather information and to analyse the best course of action – the most sensible path. Yep. Small serves!

To the disciples, they suggested what seemed to be the best plan. But did they come to the Master with the problem? No. It took Andrew, another of the disciples, to offer a different course of action.

… Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:7-9 (NIV)

The unexpected extra in this scenario was one young boy with some dinner!

What a thoughtful and aware mother he had. There’s no mention of her in the story, but I bet she never even dreamt that the food she sent with her son was to be used for a miracle. Just as well she let her son go off to listen to Jesus that day – with food.

I wonder what my unexpected extra might have been if I had thought to come to Jesus with my apple crumble problem?

Learnings for us

Sometimes our nicely thought-out solutions leave little room for God to work.
Creative answers will mostly come from unexpected sources. Perhaps it is wise to listen for God’s whisper before acting.
Miracles always arrive when there is hardly any hope left. While we often ask for miracles, actually, requiring a miracle is a terrible position to be in!
God’s capacity far, far exceeds our capacity.
Mothers (and women in general) are often good at thinking ahead. Maybe I could have thought ahead a bit more with those apples.
HOPE is always an option when Jesus is in the equation.

So, if you are facing a difficult problem – from scheduling issues and lack of resources; to financial hang-ups and not enough dessert – the best idea is to pray and wait for God’s still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12).

Rushing around and stressing about the outcome is usually a waste of time.

I wonder what would happen if you listened first, and then acted, whenever there was a difficulty? What would it mean for your family, your workplace and your friendships? Not to mention your meals?

If you listen to God’s whisper, perhaps you will find an unexpected solution, outside-the-box.

Jenny Baxter is the State Director for EmpowHer*, and the Communications Manager for Tasmanian Baptists. She is married to Stephen, and they have five children and four grandkids, spread from Hobart to Melbourne to Madrid!

* EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women

Read more about EMPOWHER – Tasmanian Baptist Women’s Ministry

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April 22, 2022June 29, 2022

HEARTLANDS News Autumn 2022

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

Diary Dates

Watch out for more info coming from your region, directly to you.

Saturday 21st May NORTH Basin Café and Gorge Walk.
Saturday 24-25th June SOUTH Day-Retreat: “Shelter”
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

What’s Happening?

Basin Café and Gorge Walk

9:30am, Saturday 21st May 2022

EmpowHer Walk May 2022, Heartlands Autumn 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Join us for a cuppa at Basin Cafe (RSVP required)

A walk through the Gorge to Duck Reach will follow (weather permitting)

RSVP ESSENTIAL …

Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188
Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

SHELTER Retreat

5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

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. Contact us if you have any hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
Get your Rego Form Call or SMS Jenny 0401 652 566
Invite Others! Download brochure

Action for You

Praying with intention

Do you often pray like this?

God bless Mary
Lord, please look after my son
Jesus, can you please stop all wars
Father, give me a good life

These are all good prayers, and quite legitimate, but they are so general! They are all “motherhood prayers” – prayers so broad it is impossible to know if God truly answers them.

Instead, pray with intention. Fill those prayers with meaning and talk to God about what worries you. And, when prompted, follow up your prayer with action. Relationship is critical to answered prayer.

How different are these prayers to those above?

God, how can I bless Mary today?
Lord, give me wisdom as I call my son, so I can encourage him.
Jesus, I pray about the war in Ukraine. Is there something I can do to assist?
Father, help me to love and care for others around me, even if my life is not so good.

It’s a time to be the blessing!

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Women’s ministry at Beauty Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point.

The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

The Science of Seeing God

Gratitude and thankfulness for the World, the Universe, and Everything!

By A.J. Spurr

Recently, I interviewed a young man who had been struggling with addiction since the age of 12. He had completed a program at a Christian rehab centre, and while he was there, he encountered Jesus.

“The first thing I noticed,” he said, “was that I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before, even though it had been happening the whole time. I was finally able to feel it.”

So, what had changed?

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

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April 22, 2022August 24, 2022

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Heartlands – Autumn 2022

Women’s Ministry at The Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point. The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

At the beginning of last year, we were feeling disappointed that international borders were still closed due to Covid-19. It meant our Texan friends could not come out to hold their mission outreach. As well, watching social media, it was clear our town had a number of people experiencing varying levels of anxiety, grief, depression, loneliness, confusion and hopelessness. We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

Cormorant Café - Undervalued or Super loved — The Point Baptist Church meets here:
The Cormorant Café, Seahorse World

A timely visit

When I was visiting Newstead Baptist Church, I was taken with the personable and articulate way Wendy Marston led the service. Her voice conveyed a particular sense of love and care. And her words conveyed her love for the Lord and the people and activities of the church.

After the service I asked her if she’s ever shared her story. At first she said no. Then remembered she had shared it once before. I asked if she would be willing to share her story again to a group of ladies in Beauty Point, and without hesitation she said yes, she would.

So we planned another women’s event.

And the response? Outstanding!

The vent was soaked in prayer - Super loved

We decided to host a 3-course meal in The Cormorant Cafe, cooked by our chef. Wendy would be our speaker, and I invited a musician – guitarist and singer/songwriter Briar Marshall to bring some music. Wendy titled her talk “Undervalued or Super Loved?” and this went out on all the invitations.

The event was soaked in prayer, and was run by a team of women helping the logistics.

The responses came flooding in. We were all floored when 54 people RSVP’d to come, with 26 of these not currently attending church. On the night, we announced we were about to start a new Bible study, designed to introduce people to the life and love of Jesus.

From this initial night, seven ladies became part of the Bible study. A follow-up Bible study is currently underway, with most of the same ladies plus some new ones.

The debrief – Reflecting on what happened

We consider this outreach meal particularly successful. What made it so, compared with many events we’ve held which were all equally prayed over?

Timing – it was June 2021 and people (especially mums) were keen to get out of the house
Offering a free meal in a café, which was neutral territory
The title of the talk “Undervalued …. Or Super-loved?” resonated with a lot of the attendees. This can not be stated enough, as a number of women commented that it sounded like something they “really needed to hear”.
Having the follow-up bible study planned, with flyers to hand out, which allowed the ladies to respond on the spot, by expressing interest in a bible study.

Beauty Point still has a whole lot of people who need to hear of the hope and forgiveness that Jesus offers, and the lengths he went to, to purchase it. We hope 2022 brings more opportunities to share His love.

Jesus died because sin is killing us

Undervalued and super loved

Invest in people's lives and get to know them. Super valued!

The important thing, in my view, is to recognise that without the forgiveness of Jesus, people all around us are heading for eternity without him. We, at the Point Baptist, feel the burden of telling that message clearly.

So whether that’s through personal/friendship evangelism or inviting friends to events such as the Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham. Perhaps by investing in people’s lives, getting to know them and showing a genuine interest in them. Or events like the one described above.

All these create opportunities to explain Jesus died because sin is killing us. His life and death was God’s plan to deal with our problem of sin and death. What an exchange!

Once someone accepts Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness, they have a restored relationship with the God of the Universe. Even more than that, He comes and lives inside them to guide, shape, convict and counsel them, and to transform them into the likeness of Jesus for the rest of their life!

That’s one heck of a deal that people living all around us don’t even know is offered.

About Rachelle

Rachelle Hawkins grew up in rural NSW and studied science at Newcastle University. Immediately after marrying Craig, they moved to Tasmania where Craig took up a job as a forester. Here she studied aquaculture and was employed as Senior Biologist at the newly starting seahorse farm in Beauty Point. Six children and many thousands of seahorses later, Rachelle loves nothing more than coffee with friends, time with family, her involvement with the Point Baptist Church, local soccer, and driving the taxi for her kids.

* The Point Baptist Church in Beauty Point is a small congregation in a small town. We meet at 5pm every Sunday in The Cormorant – Café on the Pier, which is upstairs in Seahorse World.

NCLS Webinar for Leaders

You will discover:

Speakers

Youth Alive Undivided

Winter Heartlands

Pastors’ and Families’ Muster

Some Impressions of the Muster

EmpowHer Day of Courage

SparkLit Awards Night

Intergenerate Conference 2023

NCLS Update

Hold Fast Outreach

School Chaplains

Read More ReCharge!

June/July 2023

Recharge news July 2023

ReCharge News July 2023

FOR ALL WOMEN

EmpowHer Day of Courage

NEW-LOOK WOMEN’S MINISTRY

The end for Australian Baptist Women

TUNING INTO THE HEART OF GOD

Being Transformed

BEING WELL-GROUNDED

Villain-Origin Story?

Heartlands Winter 2023

Setting the scene

20th-Century ministry?

No thanks!

Moving onto 2023

What does this mean for us?

Day of Courage

Women’s National Taskforce

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT

World Women’s Day of Prayer

DAY OF PRAYER ATTENDEES …

NORTHERN EVENT

Weekend Wind-Down

SO FAR IN 2023

Women in Leadership

ON THE LOOKOUT?

WANTED: Southern Team Members

ACTION TO CONSIDER

Learn to Live with Less

Heartlands Spring 2022

Heartlands Autumn 2023

Diary Dates

DAY OF PRAYER, northwest

DAY OF PRAYER, south

MORNING TEA, northwest

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Action for You

FOMO or JOMO?

Women Making a Difference

From one Generation to the Next

Love Beyond our Backyard

Heartlands Spring 2022

From Local to Global

“Giving has shaped our lives to bring a perspective way beyond our backyard“

A Thrilling Discovery

One Generation, to the Next

A BIG Perspective

Having a Heart that Rubs Off

Read ReCharge

August/September 2022

Love Beyond our Backyard

Diary Dates

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

10:30am Saturday 17th September

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Action for You

God’s Whisper

God’s Whisper

The BEST Plan?

The end for
Australian Baptist Women