E-News Wednesday 24th April 2024

It is good to be back in the saddle, following a couple of weeks’ break. Of course, as a parent with two young children, I use the word ‘break’ rather liberally, as any notions we once had of annual leave being a time of relaxation and recharging our batteries has long since disappeared! In their place is simply parenting in a different environment, and exploring the delights of new playgrounds or soft play areas, depending on the weather. 

However, we did find some great playgrounds, with some excellent swings and zip lines, so all was not lost! 

As I look ahead to the coming week and review the items on our Church Meeting and AGM agendas, it is obvious that there are some significant decisions that will be made. We looked at the election and role of new deacons in last week’s reflection, and this week I’d like to touch on the building proposals which will be discussed and voted on during Sunday’s meeting. 

While the need for upgrades to the hall toilets are uncontroversial and long-overdue, the proposed changes to the stage will evoke strong emotions among some of us. 

For many, the presence and sound of the organ is intertwined with our faith; a constant companion on Sundays since our youth. Its hymns have narrated and provided a soundtrack to our journey with God through the years. Likewise, the pulpit is symbolic and historically synonymous with ‘church’.

Their proposed removal does not remove the stories, nor the ways in which God has spoken and stirred through the preaching and worship delivered from them. 

Nor does it mean an end to our favourite hymns being played by the band.

However it does help us to create a more accessible, usable stage area that reflects the changing needs of the church in the 21st Century. Just as a pulpit was once required in order for congregations to hear and see the preacher, now it has become a dumping ground for ‘stuff’, while our cameras and microphones ensure the speaker can be seen and heard better than ever before. Having a ramp and handrail will enable us to better realise our desire to be ‘One Body’, where all can participate and use their gifts to serve God in our services, rather than just the ones who are physically able to climb the steps.

In the same way, the musical side of worship has changed over the years, to the point at which people are no longer learning to play the organ, but wish to use other instruments to glorify God. The creation of more space enables us to better accommodate a diverse band, alongside the migration of things such as ‘Storybox’ to the stage, in turn creating more seating space for our growing congregation. The added flexibility will also allow us to better use the church for activities beyond Sunday services. 

It is perfectly normal to be sad, and even resistant to change. It takes us into the realm of the unknown and requires treading new ground. Yet time and again in the gospels we see Jesus doing just that, and encouraging his followers to take faith in order to see God doing a new thing. 

As we pray, discuss and decide on these proposals, I pray that we will speak gently and sensitively to one another, and recognise that despite the inevitable differences of opinion, Christ continues to lead us and his Church. And whatever the outcome, he is always faithful. 

May God bless you this week,

Peter

Church News

Deacons Elections
Please pray for the five people who have been nominated to stand as deacons at our Church Members Meeting on Sunday 28th April. 

• Helen Andrews
• Julie Bell
• Sian Cutts
• Jo Isherwood 
• Sarah Masters

Church Day of Prayer - Thursday 25th April
As a church we are currently discerning whether to proceed with a set of building works which were proposed at the last Church Members Meeting. 

In seeking to help us hear from God, and as part of our commitment to discern the will of God together, everyone is encouraged to participate in a day of prayer TOMORROW, 25th April. 

A separate document has been circulated to all church members with some suggested prayers to say in the morning and at lunchtime, before prayer meetings are held in the Church and online at 7.30pm.  

Welcome Lunch - Sunday 5th May
If you are new to Newbury Baptist Church and have been worshipping with us over the last few months, we would like to invite you to lunch at the home of Judith and Kelvin following the service on Sunday 5th May. 

This is an opportunity to get to know a few more people in a relaxed atmosphere, and to find out more about the church and the various groups and activities we run. 

If you are interested in attending and would like to find out more, please contact the Church Office

Notice for parents/guardians of all Children & Young People at NBC
At NBC we are always looking at ways to improve our safeguarding and data protection procedures and as part of that we are close to launching our new registration process for all Sunday youth & children's activities. This will involve your child/young person being registered by you on arrival to church using a tablet provided. The group leaders can then check registered children/young people in & out at the beginning and end of their sessions.

The first step in this is for you to ensure that all information held in our church database (through the website) is accurate and up to date. Please log on, go to "My Area", "My Profile" and then check if all information is correct. 

If your child is Chattabox age (age 3 - 11) and you would like to give them permission to leave chattabox without being collected by you, please add "Permitted to leave at end of Chattabox" into the "Child Allergy Information" box alongside any allergy information. 

From Sunday you will start to see the tablets in church and we will guide on how and when we need you to start registering on arrival as we progress through final testing and implementation.

If you have any questions please speak to any of the group leaders or email children@newburybaptistchurch.org or youth@newburybaptistchurch.org.

Christmas in a shoebag update
Good news! Hope Now has the documentation and permission from the Ukraine Government to send boxes to Ukraine, which means we can go ahead with our Shoe Bag initiative starting September this year. 
CALLING ALL SEWERS - fabric has been bought and cut for sewing and we are looking for machine sewers to get us ahead and ready for distribution beginning September.  If you can help, please get in touch with Judith either at church or email/phone. We have 100 bags that need completion! 
Hand knitted hats, gloves, scarves and soft toys are also appreciated, so get out the knitting needles! 

Thank you all for your generous support of the vulnerable children in Ukraine.  Let’s make their Christmas a happy one in difficult circumstances.