This issue of Heartlands features Elysia Cunningham, one of the Tasmanian Baptist Council northwest representatives. She is a psychologist from Penguin who attends Penguin Baptist Church.
I am a born and bred Taswegian, having been born in Hobart and living in various places around the state, including St Helens, Smithton, Launceston, and Hobart. Most of my life has been spent living along the North West Coast, with a foray to Launceston and Hobart for a few years while studying at university. I now live in Penguin with my husband, Warwick, along with our dog, three cats and goldfish. All my family also live in Penguin, which is lovely to have them close by.
A Christian Heritage
I was very privileged to grow up in a Christian family, with strong Christian faith back through the generations on both sides. I remember going to church on Sundays, going to Christian camps over the school holidays, and attending youth groups and Girls’ Brigades throughout my childhood and teen years. All this helped me to develop my own faith at a young age, around seven years old.
ABOVE: Elysia with Husband, Warwick.
I remember asking my mum how to ask God into my heart and then kneeling behind our couch, for a bit of privacy in a busy house, to pray for God to become a part of my life.
I now attend Penguin Baptist, a small church on the hill. Being a small church, I assist in most roles within it, speaking, leading, communion, cleaning, morning tea and so on. I love the sense of family that comes with a small church, along with the opportunities to learn and grow in multiple ways.
Working with Others
In my day-to-day life I work as a clinical psychologist. It’s not what I would call an easy job, often leaving me mentally exhausted at the end of the day. My poor husband then must put up with me being short-tempered by the time I get home – it’s something I am continuously working on! Many days I have to pray to God to “give me the words to say”, as I sit with people through some of the toughest times in their lives.
I’ve worked in various places as a psychologist, including schools, forensic mental health, and private practice. In 2024 year I ventured back to working for the Department of Health in the Diabetes Service, a space close to my heart after my diagnoses with Type 1 Diabetes as an 11-year-old.
Living with Chronic Disease
A few years ago, I never would have wanted to spend my days working with diabetes, as it wasn’t something I got along well with in my own life. But now I feel I can sit comfortably with a chronic disease and help others to learn to do that too.
When I was first diagnosed, I remember crying on my bed and asking God why he had to give it to me. It felt unfair I was lumbered with this disease, when no one else in my family had it. It took nearly 30 years to reach a place of acceptance of diabetes; not that I blamed God that whole time, as I quickly came to realise that God doesn’t want us to suffer but suffering is a part of the world as it currently is. I have been on a journey with God as I’ve worked this through.
In Awe of God
Despite the suffering in the world, there is also beauty throughout. Living in Tasmania, where we can enjoy the beauty of creation all around, is such a blessing. It leaves me in awe of God and helps to restore my soul!
The Big Penguin at sunrise.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to…having holidays soon.
I am worried about…time going too quickly while I’m on holiday.
I‘m confident that… nothing is impossible for God!
I am joyful about…summer and sunshine.
I would like to change…the world!
I‘m at my best when…I’m asleep (or so many people would say!)
Here’s our end of year wrap from Baptist churches around Tasmania. This time we hear from Latrobe Church, Ulverstone Baptist, City Baptist, The Point, Riverlands, Citywide, Claremont and Hobart Baptist Church.
NORTHWEST
Latrobe Church
During National Baptism week, Latrobe Church was thrilled to see three people baptised on Sunday, 20 October. Andrea, Felix and Sarah all publicly declared Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour as they followed His example through the waters of baptism. It was a wonderful service and a blessing to everyone who was there.
Ulverstone Baptist Church
Pastor Louis’ sabbatical Over the months of July to September, Pastor Louis took eight weeks of sabbatical leave. This extended time away from ministry was for the purpose of rest, soul nourishment, a deeper relationship with the Lord, family renewal and a clearer understanding of God’s vision for the Church.
UBCs Operation Christmas Child Once again UBC participated in packing boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child. With help from our Kids Church children, we were able to send off a total of 230 boxes.
Carols by Candlelight Collective This year an invitation has been extended from the Apex club of Ulverstone to the combined churches of Ulverstone to present a program at the Carols by candlelight. Collectively, as believers in Christ, we are excited and honoured to have this opportunity and to be able to bless our town during this season of celebration and joy. Several of our UBC members are involved in the program with momentum and excitement building.
UBC in the Christmas Parade UBC will also be participating in this year’s Christmas parade. Our float will represent the movie “Inside Out” with the words “Jesus is your source of joy this Christmas” (Joy being the main character of the movie) on each side.
Christmas Events The Christmas Eve service will be held at 5.30pm. The evening will feature carol singing, musical items and a message of hope from Pastor Louis.
The Christmas Day service: UBC will host another Christmas day lunch for those in our community who are either alone or in need.
NORTH
City Baptist Church
City Baptist members enjoyed participating in Walk the World (Baptist Mission Australia initiative) in November, intentionally praying for those in the city of Launceston.
The BDC (Building a Discipling Culture) intensive brought City Baptist together with other churches in Tassie, to learn about simple and reproducible discipleship.
In December, Friday Frolics lunch provided a great opportunity to gather together outside of structured Sunday services.
Christmas Events City Baptists’ Christmas service will be on Sunday 22 December.
On Christmas Day, a casual Christmas gathering will be held at 9.30am in a congregants home. Contact Anthea (antheamaynard1@gmail.com) for details.
The Point Baptist Church
In October, the marriage seminar “Building a Better Marriage” with Bruce Challoner (formerly of Focus on the Family) went really well with members from the community attending. This was part of the Men’s Support Mission visit from Melbourne who earlier in the week shared testimonies and music. The testimonies from the men were an important step for one man listening, who decided to follow Jesus the following Sunday – praise God.
The Point is still looking for a part-time pastor with youth focus since previous youth leader Dempsey Horton returned to Texas. It has been wonderful to see many young people getting involved in church services
Riverlands Community Church
Building Discipleship Culture Intensive As Baptists we have spent the past ten years grappling with the necessity of change for our systems and missional strategy, acknowledging the wealth of experience we have in our congregations, but also noting the lack of people who can carry on that experience. Building Discipleship Culture is a system designed to equip people to simply share the Gospel within their context and develop those around them into coaching clusters so they not only feel equipped but get the strategic lens for identifying people who may be open to the Spirit of God in their lives.
The intensives for this program took place on 28-29 October at the Riverlands Community Church. Headed up by the team at Crossway Baptist in Melbourne and including teams from around the Launceston Baptist churches and Kingsborough Family Church, the two-day intensive was focused around how to best put the mission of God into the hands of the regular people of a church. This group is not focused around making an academic statement or a professional development course but is actively seeking to build up church members so they can best meet the spiritual needs of those around them.
This was an edifying time for those gathered discussing the key tool of the Bible Discovery Method and how it integrates with mission, curating a church culture to being one that is accepting and acceptable to all people, and encouraging one another as we seek the Kingdom of God in our communities. More intensives will happen next year, the nearest one being in March, where we intend to dive deeper into these subjects. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to look forward to God’s kingdom coming into the lives of new people.
BDC (Building a Discipling Culture) intensive
Longford Kids Week Children’s week is a fantastic opportunity for churches with Childcare programs or child focused endeavours to join with the community in celebrating and engaging with the local children and families. Held on the fourth Wednesday of October events across the country all base themselves around the theme ‘Children have the right to a clean and safe environment.’
For the second year of our participation with Children’s week, Riverlands Stay and Play, in co-operation with Longford Primary school’s Launch into Learning (LiL) Program, put on an obstacle course event for parents within the community. With several church members stopping by, families and kids all participating in the obstacle course and other games and toys in our children’s area. It was a wonderful day in community with families and friends we don’t normally have at our Stay and Play.
The kids had the opportunity to test their climbing, balance, and gross motor skills in a safe well watched environment. Given our age group is between 2 and 5 the cleanliness was limited, but all messes were easily dealt with! These events are only possible through the support of Playgroups Tas, Longford Primary’s LiL and the organisational skills of the team at Stay and Play. Thank you to all those people who do this work.
Christmas Events Riverlands Christmas Carols service for the community is on Saturday, 14 December at 5.30pm, followed by supper.
Christmas Day service is 9.30am
SOUTH
Citywide
Big Day Out Instead of our annual camp this year, we held a Big Day Out on 12 October, hiring the premises and grounds of Emanuel Christian School. The weather smiled upon us, the Nepali team won the annual soccer match, and all enjoyed great food, fun and games. Matt Sharples (Head of Tas Christian Churches and Pastor of Abundant Church in Lauderdale) was guest speaker, bringing God’s word to challenge and bless us.
Operation Christmas Child We dedicated our service on 20 October to packing and praying over 250 shoe boxes to be distributed to children in Ukraine, Philippines, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Month of Prayer and Fasting in November November was set aside for a strong focus and challenge to be praying and pressing into Jesus more – both personally to grow our relationships with him, and corporately for the church. We had four special encouragements for our people – Pray daily and specifically beyond our normal quiet times – Fast one day a week – Give, reassess our giving of money and time – Invite a non-Christian to church each week. As we submitted ourselves to spiritual growth and sacrificial discipline we are trusting God to speak into us and effect some breakthrough for us.
Visit of Annie Seeba Annie is the Founder and Director of REHOCH (Renewed Hope Children’s Home) in Zambia. This is a mission focus Citywide has had now for over a decade – supporting the children in their education and living, as well as helping with building projects and women’s industries. Citywide sponsored Annie to visit Hobart and share her faith journey and her work for God with us.
Support from Baptist Mission Australia We are delighted to report that BMA has extended grant support money towards our Nepalese Outreach Programs, and Jivan Thapa has joined the staff of BMA. Our Nepalese congregation is super active in meeting, supporting and sharing Jesus with all the Hindu people who come to Hobart. They run a free Learner Driver Mentoring program, which helps many new arrivals to obtain their licence and thereby be equipped to seek work or attend studies. They also run a community bus in support of new arrivals, helping them from airports, in housing, in local community services, in outings for the elderly, etc. Another active area is in running a very popular soccer competition. All these activities come with information about the love Jesus has for them.
Youth and Children-led service On Sunday, 24 November the kids and youth led the church service for us. They did such an amazing job of walking us through ‘weakness’ and how God’s strength can be seen in us as we submit to him.
Citywide Celebration Dinner We will hold our annual Celebration Dinner on 30 November, again with thanksgiving and honour to God for all he does for and in us. Annie Seeba was our guest speaker this year.
Our Recycled Christmas A local artist more used to working with sculptured wood and an engineer who does creative lighting for a hobby teamed up to produce a unique Christmas Tree and stage display out of recycled materials for the annual Carols service on 15 December. 610 cans make our massive 12-foot tree, with each can boasting individually controlled LED lights. As if that wasn’t enough, the two enlisted the help of forty volunteers to construct hundreds of meters of paper chain half a dozen smaller Christmas trees for the stage.
Christmas Events Thursday, 12 December – Christmas Shop, in partnership with Mission Australia. We set up, stock and invite eligible families in our local area to come and ‘buy’ (with tokens) items for their families at Christmas time.
Saturday, 7 December – Carols in the Park at Lenah Valley. We give some lead to the community carols in the park.
Saturday, 14 December – Carols at the (Bellerive) Beach. Joining with all the Eastern Shore Churches we together put on the Eastern Shore Carols.
Sunday, 15 December – Special Carols Service – a combined service at Mornington, Levendale Lunch and Carols from 12 noon.
Saturday, 21 December – Christmas in the Paddock – this is Citywide’s special gift to our local community in Mornington – a time of fun and togetherness with the neighbourhood.
Wednesday, 25 December – A short Christmas Service keeping Christ at the centre of Christmas, held at both Lenah Valley and Mornington at 10am.
Claremont Baptist Church
What a wonderful time of blessing at Claremont! There has been a steady flow of new people bringing with them their talents and experience. How wonderful to grow the Kingdom together.
September Through our combined efforts, we were able to pack 40 well stocked Samaritan Purse boxes.
October We held what is now an Annual Plant and Craft Sale. The sale of tomato plants, other vegetable seedlings, succulents and annuals is now anticipated and well supported by the local community. The weather was kind to us, so we were able to set up the sausage sizzle BBQ and Devonshire Tea tables in the sunshine. This gave a wonderful atmosphere and opportunities for chats with both church friends and locals from our neighbourhood. Everyone knows everyone in Tasmania and many old friends were reunited!
Baptism Week We were thrilled to baptise Anna Clark and Jack Murtagh. We look forward to these two young people growing in faith and fellowship.
November We held a Christian Diwali Service. A truly special service with Hindi and Malayalam hymns and even some dancing followed by a traditional Indian food lunch. In Acts 17, Paul connected with the Athenians by using their own language and cultural references to reveal the truth about God. In the same way we used the concept of light over darkness to point to the true light, Jesus, and to share His love with others in a meaningful way. There were a few visitors. It also helped us as a congregation to gain more knowledge of the traditions of some of the newer members of our church who come from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This month we will have a special service for the Persecuted Church with a focus on the Voice of the Martyrs.
Christmas Events Drive by one evening to see the Nativity Scene as you do the rounds to view the Christmas Lights in Hobart.
Christmas Carol Celebration is on Saturday, 21 December at Claremont Baptist from 6:30pm. Sing along as the Christmas Story is presented in Scripture and Song.
Christmas Day Service is 9:30am
Hobart Baptist Church
It was wonderful to celebrate Hobart Baptist Church’s 140th anniversary together as a church family, with an historically themed service with well-known hymns accompanied by the organ and choir along with stories from the rich history that HBC uniquely holds. It’s exciting to think about the opportunity HBC has ahead in the next era. What will they be talking about at the 200th anniversary celebration?
HBC Youth & Young Adults (aged 16-25) have started meeting from 6-7:30pm each Saturday night at HBC and ‘The Battery’ prayer meetings continue Thursdays 6-7pm at HBC in the Soundy Lounge.
Christmas Events
75th Anniversary for ‘Empty Christmas Tree’ Sunday 15 December, the Empty Christmas Tree will be up during the church service ready to receive gifts. This long-standing HBC tradition , is in fact now in its 75th year! Attendees are invited to bring a gift, such as a book, toy, game, clothing, non-perishable food item, gift card, voucher or financial donation to place under the tree. Gifts should be new, unwrapped and can be for all ages. Come and experience the joy of giving.
All gifts and donations are delivered to Hobart City Mission for distribution.
Also on Sunday 15 December, HBC will hold a Christmas Market in the foyer during morning tea after the service. Donations of baked goods and Christmas treats welcome. Money raised will boost donations to the needy through Hobart City Mission.
CHAT N CHOOSE Many ladies are pleased to be meeting again with their friends after a long break due to COVID. Wednesday Get Together is now on the 1st and 3rd Week of the month for fun and fellowship.
JUST GIRLS. SPRING REVIVAL. The ladies’ ministry organised an enjoyable afternoon with people asked to wear an item from their favourite Op Shop. Irene Godman spoke on Healing, Trauma and PTSD, a biblical way of ministering healing those suffering from the effects of trauma . Ailleen also spoke of her work, and the beginnings of Grow Gather Give, an outreach and support providing food to those who need it. This is run from our ChurchHhall, ROC, on Monday and Friday mornings.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. 226 shoe boxes where packed from our church and Chat n Choose this year.
Sarah raised $644.30 for the Cancer Council through the sale of daffodils.
Penguin
Penguin Baptist Church
News from Penguin: we are small in number, in good heart and varied health.
This month we began a preaching series on Isaiah 1-39. We have joined the solar age with a substantial array on the roof, and have a new container for the ministry Library Aid International to fill and send to Africa for distribution. This will be the tenth (and likely the last) container to go.
Latrobe
Latrobe Baptist Church
Chat n Choose continues at the Latrobe Baptist Hall every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. Ladies bring along their knitting/crochet/hardanger work or any other craft to join with up to 50 others and enjoy chatting together. Morning Tea is served at 10.30am, Cost is just $2.
The Woodturning Group meets in the Men’s Shed. Latrobe Men’s Shed continues every Friday from 9am to 12pm with a BBQ at 12. We are always looking for community projects and new members to join in. A toolbox meeting guarantees a great time of great fellowship, with morning tea at 10am.
Latrobe Community Playgroup continues every Friday morning from 10am. All mothers/carers are welcome to bring their little ones up to age 4 and join with up to 20 others for a fun time of activities. A story time and singing finishes each morning around 11.30am.
Sassafras
SPRING SERVICE
Spring service at Sassafras
This Spring seems to have arrived so quickly! Again, the Sunday School greatly blessed us with a presentation. Even more impressive were the volume and beauty of the flower arrangements. It is a reminder of the grace and kindness of the Lord so obvious for all to see in this blessed Island. The various talents of the children were all on display this year often to the wonder of the Congregation. (Doting parents and teachers opening and closing their lips in tune with the script the kids spoke). One talent which came to prominence last year was in poetry, and again this year we heard from Rochele Long.
Spring is here and the flowers are vibrant
And the birds chirp happily singing God’s great song
The lambs have grown up so much like the plants that grow too
God planned all this and we should thank Him.
Spring sunshine beams, the days lengthen
Swallows spiral up to heaven, the Larks sing praise to their Creator
Lambs gambol in the spring grass
Hidden bulbs and seeds burst from the soil to worship their Creator
New life comes from our God let us praise and worship Him.
Rochele Long, Sassafras
North
Gateway Launceston
Art Sale Flyer
We want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all the artists and Churches who supported and helped with our Mystery Art Sale Fundraiser for the children of Haiti.
Newstead
Dan, Maria and the family, August 2021
Newstead Baptist Church are pleased to be welcoming Dan Hutchison as Pastor beginning in January 2022. Dan and his wife Maria and 3 children will be moving north from Hobart where Dan is currently working at Citywide.
We are looking forward to Dan’s ministry with us and would value prayer for a smooth transition for the whole family into life in Launceston including a suitable family home and schools for the girls.
We are holding our Annual Celebration meeting on Sunday and give thanks to God for a good year as a fellowship, for the many people who have come to preach throughout the year and the many ways that God has blessed us.
Our Seniors Drop-in Centre has being going well with new people from the community joining. Praise God for this opportunity to share his word over a game and a cuppa.
Perth
Perth Baptist Tabernacle
Many from around Tasmania would have known Wyn Gurr in her ministry over many years. Wyn passed away in September following a long battle with her health. She has gone to join her husband Allan in glory.
We are thankful and blessed by the four people who recently came into Membership.
Our Wednesday night ‘Better Men’s’ group is starting to attract a number of men with needs and a willingness to share.
The craft group continues to attract new ladies.
We hosted a very successful Community afternoon tea for the wise and elderly of the town which attracted a full Hall. We pray that we will see many of them again
The relationship with the school enabled us to sponsor two children to attend camp as their parents we not able to pay for them to go. This will provide us contact with those two families.
This year a Children’s picnic and family BBQ will precede our Carol Service – the whole town will be invited.
As the only Christian Church left in Perth, we take our responsibility to be Christ’s representatives in the growing town seriously. Please pray that what we do will be God’s will and will bear fruit.
Riverlands Longford
Alan and Meg Roberts | Ann and Steve Cloudsdale
On 29th August, Riverlands made space in our Sunday service to acknowledge and appreciate the commitment and contribution of two special couples. Steve and Ann Cloudsdale and Meg and Alan Roberts have served in various ministry roles and activities at Riverlands over many years. It was a special moment as we prayed for each couple and released them from ministry responsibilities as they enter a time of sabbatical for rest and refreshment. As they continue to journey with their Riverlands family, they will be waiting on the Lord for his wisdom and guidance for this next chapter in their lives.
South
Citywide
Citywide Converge team meets with Sen. Eric Abetz
During September, several of us visited State and Federal Politicians following the Converge Justice Training Day in August. They presented their cases for Domestic Violence, Global Poverty and Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
One of us is involved in the local Climate Change Action Group. They facilitated an excellent Climate Change Expo for the public at Citywide premises. There were various speakers and booths demonstrating how they can recycle responsibly as well as other informative information.
Church Camp: The first weekend in October saw us all heading to Poatina for our first church camp in many years. Poatina is an incredible site for such a gathering with various accommodation options, good food, and many interesting local activities. Our theme for the weekend was Living in Community and the staff at Poatina shared their experiences. Our mix of congregations, including the Nepalese, were blessed and we have achieved a further development in our joining together. Everyone is already talking about our next camp next year!
Camp fun in Poatina
During October we hosted a team of 6 from the YWAM Discipleship Training School in Perth WA. What a blessing they are! They for involved in Citywide groups, the wider body of churches in Hobart, and our local community by door-knocking and street evangelism.
We now produce a weekly podcast, each Wednesday, which involves a panel of four people discussing, and personally sharing about, the challenges from the previous Sunday’s sermon. Find it on our YouTube channel or as an audio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Our current series is on ‘Next Steps’ and what it means to follow Jesus.
Sunday 10th October was our Shoe Box Sunday. Our congregations packed 150 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child during the service! This is an activity people engage with eagerly and we pray heart-felt prayers for each box.
Hobart
Movie Night watching “Blue Miracle”
At Hobart we recently held a great Movie Night including games, a scavenger hunt and pizza!
We have already had several weddings in our refurbished spaces, with more booked in.
The Mustard Seed coffee shop, on Elizabeth Street, will soon open, creating more opportunities to connect with our neighbours, and Elizabeth College students next door.
Our youth are raising funds to provide income for one teacher to teach youth in a Karen refugee camp in Thailand.
