FEBRUARY 15
COMING SOON THIS MONTH Church Weekend Away Covenant Service Puddings & Praise
CHURCH WEEKEND AWAY
COVENANT SERVICE
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th February
Sunday15th February
PGL Liddington Nr Swindon
10.30am
PUDDINGS & PRAISE
MISSION PRAYER MEETING
Sunday15th February
Monday 2nd February 7.30pm
6.00pm
DON’T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES… More information on how to do this on the back page.
WELCOME BACK CONTENTS Hello and welcome to our February edition of One Magazine. We hope your start to the new year has been a good one. The overarching theme for this edition is Looking Forward. In the magazine we will give a glimpse into events and needs for 2015. One big milestone coming up quickly is deacon’s elections. Are you being called to stand? Are you being called to nominate someone? Also included is a three page picture record of the Christmas 2014 events including our crib and carol services, big welcome, holiday club, Christmas wrap, Silent Night carols and the light parade.
A big thank you to those who have written articles for this edition. Steve Cleary
HOPE 2015– An article about the HOPE initiative for this year Friday Night Project– Future plans for the new youth group on Friday nights. Tom Garner
4 6
7 8
First Friends– plans for parents and children Volunteering at Wells Place Coffee 9 shop– a bit about the available roles at Wells Place Remarkable Servant– an article 11 written by Alan Saunders One Ministry– An message from 12 Joth on leadership Leading as a deacon– A bit about 14 being a deacon Christmas event photos 16 Prayer Diary 19 One Fellowship news 20 Church Meeting Feedback 22
HOPE 2015 La st y ea r th e 16 c h u rc h es covenanted together in Eastleigh reached out to the community with a view to sharing the Hope that we have in Jesus. Many EBC members played a full part in this initiative.
If you have the facility, look at the video at: http://bit.ly/1xtKY3C to remind yourselves of many of the things we did together last year. This year we will be continuing to share our HOPE with the people around us. On Sunday 18th January we shared a joint service together, held at EBC. On Sunday evening 17th May we shall be launching HOPE 2015 at another joint service together. Please put the date in your diaries. Steve Lee of Miracle Street will be the speaker.
Like all new ventures we learnt some lessons in 2014 and are already planning similar, but better, events this year - especially a week of Hope Eastleigh during 5th to 12th July. However, we are looking at a larger gazebo; better marketing and publicity; better communication; more opportunities to bathe the whole week in prayer, better follow up, and so on. We are again planning training opportunities for all of us involved with meeting our community to share God's love. There will be several dates during June for us all to sign up to be part of HOPE 2015 by attending individual training sessions appropriate to the various streams of mission - this year these sessions will be held on separate occasions so that we can all attend one or more sessions. The outline programme for the week of hope is much like last year with:
-Children's sessions -Young peoples sessions -Social action -Older people activities -Family fun day -Picnic and joint service We are adding a social evening for adults on the Saturday, with a Christian comedian and music for all. Who will you invite?. There will some be other events during the year. At Easter we will support more strongly the Good Friday events - possibly a March for Jesus or a prayer walk as last year. Yet to be decided but quite likely is CTiE involvement with other community events like the Mela, the Mardi Gras, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas at the Swan Centre. One important concern last year was the inconsistent follow up after the week of HOPE. We are looking at opportunities to run special events (such as the Big Story - run in Winchester last year) at a number of churches at different times for different age groups as soon as practicable after the week of hope.
Please watch this space and please pray that together we will know the Lord's leading and programme - NOT ours. Please ask The Lord how you can be involved. Thank you so much for your support
Christopher Harvey Chairman CTiE.
FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT The Friday Night Project (or TFNP for short) kicked off late last year and has been a huge success so far. TFNP is a fortnightly event for young people in years 7 to 10, where the main focus is having fun in a safe and secure environment. It isn’t a Bible study group, but God and the Bible are still very much at the forefront of TFNP. Events so far have included several games nights, a movie night and a pizza evening, with many exciting events planned including a gokarting evening (15th January). There have been a few hiccups along the way, including a failure to find any pizza bases for the pizza evening and the movie night overrunning the allocated time (Dan Nichols’ fault ofcourse!). But all in all, it’s been
fantastic with great feedback being received from the young people, with comments such as “It is really good fun” and “It is better than doing homework!”. Dan Nichols has put in a lot of hard work getting TFNP up and running, and has been great at organising the troops and making it happen. However, we are currently short on female leaders, as Jude (who has now moved on) was one of the team and will be greatly missed. What are the plans for 2015? More of the same hopefully! Perhaps even an increase to once a week rather than once a fortnight. Please continue to pray for this work among our young people. Tom Smith
TOM GARNER Who am I? Hello, my name is Thomas Garner. I’m 26 and currently in my final year of studies at Bristol Children’s, Youth & Mission (Bristol CYM). I am Portsmouth born and raised and currently live in Southsea. I am married to my beautiful wife Jessica and have been newly married since September 2013. I am a very big fan of ice hockey and have been playing the sport myself since the age of 10. What I’m doing at EBC? So my role at EBC is of a student youth worker, to work with Chris Walker in supporting him and the youth work that is happening here at EBC. Currently I am organising and leading the Pulse Lite 12-16 group that meet every Sunday in the Fair
Oak room. I am also helping with the new and exciting Friday Night Project plus any other activities/events for that age group. Also I am representing EBC at Crestwood School by being involved in the schools Christian Union and Rock solid lessons run by Iain McFarlane from St Peters Church. Plus there are also plans under way which will allow me to get connected and start helping with the local Boys Brigade at St Andrews Methodist Church. Plans/hopes for 2015? My plans and hopes for this year would be to complete and pass my university course in the summer and to find my next place of calling and also that Jess and I would enjoy some time away on holiday relaxing in the sun. Tom Garner
FIRST FRIENDS Wednesday morning and is run by v olunteers from the church. It is a busy group with 40 children regularly attending and a neverending waiting list. We organise a variety of activities involving toys and crafts and always have a story and singing time. We have Bible storythemed weeks and special events, such as picnics and puppet shows, as well as a summer trip. The group is well known for being one of the friendliest in the Eastleigh area. We are hoping that 2015 will bring more volunteers to the group to enable us to have more time to build relationships with those attending, particularly as we have a large number of new children and parents this year.
A couple parents:
of
comments
from
Jo: I am on my third child to go through first friends spanning 10 years and whilst the helpers sometimes change, the core values of the group stay the same, a very friendly welcoming group that has the hearts of the children and their c a rers f orth m os t i n th ei r minds. Here's to my next 3 years x
Alison: First Friends is a lovely friendly group. My son loves the variety of toys and activities the group offers, as well as offering me the opportunity to meet new people. It's a gem of a group and proud to be part of it. Anne Kinnard
Are you new to the church and looking for opportunities to serve? Are you a long standing member looking for a new opportunity or challenge? Not sure how to use the practical gifts that God has given you in service to Him? There are many opportunities to serve through the ministry of Wells Place Centre during the week. Some aspects of the ministry are starting to struggle because we just don’t have enough volunteers. Is God speaking to you, calling you into this area? If so, please investigate this calling by speaking to Emma Leggett, Angie Knight or Toby Dodson. Some brief job descriptions to give you a flavour of each role: Coffee Shop – this is our area of most need and also the area that has the most contact with people! Are you able to take food orders, make a coffee & clear tables? If so, you are just the person we need!
Kitchen – do you like to work with food or feel happier preparing conference trollies or washing dishes? Reception – are you happy to answer the phone, direct guests to their rooms and take messages? Maintenance – are you good with a tool kit and happy to be called upon to do the odd job? Do you like to decorate? Those of us who are paid to work at Wells Place Centre are very privileged. We have a fantastic working environment, are regularly surrounded by our church family and most importantly get to serve our Lord every day. We are a friendly bunch and would love you to join us in this ministry. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4 v 9-10 Emma Leggett
REMARKABLE SERVANT Maggie and I were recently visited by my best man of 40 years ago who was, unusually, 22 years my senior. Previously Frank had been my youth leader for nearly 10 years. Together with his wife, Frances, Frank headed up the largest voluntary youth club in Essex - for 34 years! Thresholders, in Hornchurch, existed “to help young men and women on the threshold of life to accept Christ”. Frank’s story is an inspiration. Born into the East End working class and he was 13 when the Second World War began. He witnessed both the Battle of Britain and, later, wave after wave of bombers that flew up the Thames estuary to blitz the capitol. He quickly joined the world of work, having no qualifications, but from 1944-7 he trained for aircrew with the RAF.
After demob. Frank returned to electrical manufacturing work before joining the Ford Motor Company where he moved into electrical plant maintenance. Around this time he and Frances met at a YMCA dance. While at Ford’s he met a work colleague who was particularly kind, discovering later that he was both a Christian and a London City Missionary. Challanged by this man he set out alone to read and study the Bible. Now married, Frank and Frances were subsequently encouraged by a cousin to attend Confirmation classes. After they were both confirmed they joined a team which launched Thresholders. Most of the team soon fell by the wayside, except guess who!
Having no children of their own they ended up caring for many hundreds of teenagers, probably thousands, including many ‘baby boomers’ like me. The door to their home was always open - theirs was a 7 days a week ministry. Most of us were better educated than Frank had ever been, but one day Frances saw a job advertised with the local authority which he followed up. He got the job and eventually ended up supervising 45 electrical inspectors despite having no qualifications in the discipline beyond a wide experience. With Frank’s retirement the couple moved to Hastings and Thresholders closed its doors for the last time. Sadly Frances died 8 years ago after a long and distressing illness. She was nursed at home by faithful Frank until just 2 weeks before her death - he was, and is, heartbroken. Thank God the Father for hope he knows he will one day see her again in paradise.
Now alone in Hastings he is surely putting his feet up after 88 years. Not a bit of it - he is part of the leadership of his local Anglican church, teaches ballroom dancing and leads 5-mile rambles most weeks. Frank also repairs electric mobility scooters and is the chief handyman working on his church building! Perhaps Frank teaches all of us that we can still serve our Lord in some way no matter what our season of life. Alan Saunders
Stand up if you want to lead! If you have ever w a t c h ed T h e Apprentice you may have felt sorry for those poor misguided souls who were bewitched into applying to go on the programme. It seems that the cameras exposes every weakness and foolishness. In each programme there is that moment when someone has to step into the position of being the project manager. At this moment everything within me wants to
shout at the screen – “No! Don’t do it!” “ “You’ll get stung.” “Everyone will blame you when it goes wrong.” “They will stab in you the back!” Sadly the role of the leader has a poor reputation and is generally undervalued. There have been too many bad leaders with wrong motives. Leaders are often seen to be lofty and out of touch. They can be isolated, vulnerable and often lonely. It’s where the buck stops!
Well if this is an article that is meant to encourage people to stand up to be leaders I probably haven’t done a great job. However, leaders are essential. Without them nothing is organised, no one is
informed, plans aren’t implemented and good ideas remain just that – good ideas. It is leaders who encourages, recruits, inspires, equips, trains, corrects, stick out their necks and most importantly serves. Have you ever noted that the main leader of our country is called the Prime Minister not Prime Leader. Prime means first while the word minister comes from the Latin word minis or minus meaning lesser. In the 13th century it became a word that meant servant (n) or to serve (v) [ministrare]. So
a direct translation of Prime Minister could be First Servant’ or the first to serve. Servant leadership of course is the very essence of the biblical model of leadership. The great leaders of the bible w h ere fi rst servants; servants of God and servants of the people. Jesus shows his disciples the true spirit of leadership when he knelt before them, picked up a towel and washed their feet (John 13). Adopting the biblical model of leadership changes leadership. It becomes
a calling not a chore, an anointing rather than an appointment, a service rather than a status, a ministry rather than management. Now that’s leadership and that’s the kind of leader I want to be. What about you? Are you ready to stand up and lead in 2015? Rev. Joth Hunt
“Servant leadership of course is the very essence of the biblical model of leadership.”
LEADING AS A DEACON Privilege and Responsibility; Challenging and Rewarding; Exciting and Daunting; Encouragement and Disappointment; Tiredness and Humour. These words came to mind when I was asked what it means to be a deacon. The New Testament gives us some pointers of course but how does it work out in practice? There are three threads. Firstly the spiritual dimension, as we consider how best to reach out to today’s world while keeping to the integrity of the gospel. This is the main, but not exclusive, thrust of our vision meetings. We also have some Away Days when we can spend more time on particular topics.
Secondly, we need to be good stewards in maintaining our premises and in providing a safe environment for worship and work. This is a witness to people passing by and who use our facilities. Lastly there is considerable legislation which must be observed including having Safeguarding and Health & Safety Policies in place and followed. Such items may not be the most exciting, but together with Pastoral, Outreach and Financial topics, take up most of the business meetings. Trying to get my head round the breadth and depth of issues facing the leadership team was initially very daunting. I had to quickly remind myself that it wasn’t down to me to come up with the answers but that
decisions were made through corporate prayer and discussion.
personal
prayer,
Within the team there are various individual roles, some short term such as organising the Church Weekend Away or researching the best pension scheme for staff. Others are more long term such as Secretary, Treasurer, Safeguarding Trustee and Health & Safety Trustee. Some deacons report back from other groups such as the Mission Team and Wells Place D & M Board. I report from the Pastoral Coordinating Team which considers news, needs and concerns raised by representatives from the Prayer, Welcoming and Visiting Teams and from Small Groups. Those items which can be more widely shared are then brought before the church meeting for prayer, together with any recommendations from the diaconate regarding church membership. Standing at the front in a church meeting is definitely outside my comfort zone!
I am sure there are other aspects which could be added, but as we come to 2015 elections I trust this will be helpful to those who are considering who to nominate and to those who have been asked to stand. Christine Leaman
CRIB & CAROL SERVICES Photos by Jenny Harrison and Paul Wilton Three shepherds. Joth makes his debut performance
Our Christmas choir getting into the swing of things
Kimberly….or is it Elizabeth?
The family carol service was well attended.
The crib service complete with moving star of Bethlehem!
The “Grumpy” Innkeeper at the crib service—type casting?!
BIG WELCOME 2014 Photos by Paul Wilton
Christmas = So….many…..balloons!
Tom plays pin the tail on the camel…...well blu tac.
The pile of gifts that led to us giving away 500 Gifts of Hope!!
Tom just turned up like this…..
Kimberly…...or is it Herod? She’s a master of disguise!
“The Gift” was definitely here this Christmas.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS Photos By Paul Wilton
Hope hits the streets!
Singing filled the trenches‌‌..and the Swan Centre.
Christmas carols performed in abundance.
A couple of angels appeared for Holiday club. One named Fernando?!
Snowball fight!!!!!!!!
Wrapping presents and blessing the community.
PRAYER DIARY Please pray for.. THANK GOD for his goodness to in 2014. God delights to do things for us. Joseph Scriven wrote the lovely hymn ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’ which reminds us the God is concerned about us. Be excited about the prospect of what our God will do in this New Year.
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: The leadership team here at EBC along with their families, those who head up various ministries, from children through to teens and into the older generation. Pray for one another. The thrill to have the opportunity to come alongside those who need prayer is there for us all.
The WINTER MONTHS can be a very difficult time for some of our older folk. Please pray for those you know are struggling.
COVENANT SUNDAY - 15th February an opportunity for us to come and renew our commitment to serve God motivated out of delight rather than duty.
Members of the Prayer Team are available for when we are in need of God’s help and for when we want to give thanks or to celebrate, we would love to share your joys as well as your sorrows. Every blessing this coming year. Peter Tattersall
We sat amongst a partly finished nativity story tableau to discuss the various topics on the agenda at our November church meeting! The unusual surroundings reminded me of how blessed we are with such a fabulous building that lends itself to worship in different styles. Governance
During the meeting we reviewed and accepted an updated health & safety policy and a new vulnerable adults policy. Th e Di rec tors and
Management team of Wells Place Centre were also re-appointed for another year and prayed for. Christmas Plans for all the Christmas activities were discussed and requests for help made. Please see the pictures of all that went on earlier in this edition. Finances & Fabric Thanks was given for the total of ÂŁ7,700 that was received on the church anniversary gift day for church heating repairs which had largely been completed.
The meeting was informed that 56 Desborough Road was badly in need of some refurbishment. The deacons are currently considering either refurbishing the property as it is or converting it into two one bedroom flats. A proposal will be brought to a future church meeting for discussion. The meeting was also i nform ed th a t th e deacons are currently looking at the possibility of selling the manse in S c ot ter R oa d and p u rc h a si n g another
property in the area leaving the church mortgage free. This would be discussed in detail at a future church meeting. A proposal to refurbish our first floor washrooms using the profit generated by WPC in 2014 w as accepted. Mission An overview of the mission team’s time in Brazil was given along with thanks to all those who provided support. A proposal to financially support Ruth in her mission work in 2015 was accepted.
Toby It has been recognised by the deaconate that Toby has been called to and gifted in the area of community pastoring. The meeting was asked to consider this calling and the possibility of Toby continuing to work in this area within EBC & WPC once his course finishes in the summer. A document would be produced for discussion in January. The business of the meeting was covered in prayer. Emma Leggett
Articles for the next edition of One should be emailed to Linda Mandley no later than the 7th February 2015. Please note that, due to space restrictions, articles may be edited by the team. If you have any photographs or other images you would like us to include, please email these as well and we will do our best to include them.
We hope that One will be used to share your thoughts, prayers and experiences with the rest of the fellowship and we look forward to receiving your articles.
www.eastleighbaptist.org.uk 023 8061 3210