News

Reopening of Weymouth Baptist Church premises
Following considerable prayer and discussion by the Elders and Deacons it has been decided that because of the nature of our building, the size and closeness of the congregation we will not be resuming full worship services at WBC until the "all clear" is given for the relaxing of all social distancing guidelines. As it stands that is scheduled for after 21st June. So, our first planned service in WBC will be Sunday 27th June at 10 am, if all goes to plan. We will of course be following all government guidelines and will continue to make sanitising liquid available, and anyone who desires to continue to wear a face mask will in no way be prevented from doing so. In the meantime, the church will be opening from the beginning of May for smaller groups including Treasures, GB and Youth Cell - each following the appropriate safety guidelines. The online worship service will continue until we are open again. Many thanks for your patience and prayers.
Pastor Peter Mockett on behalf of the Elders and Deacons.

WBC Bank Buildings

If you have reason to go into the premises (by whichever door you use) please can you sign in and out so that we have a record of who has been in the building for track and trace purposes.  There is a sign-in sheet on the table as you go into the side corridor from the side entrance door, and also one on a clipboard at the bottom of the WBC office stairs.

Not getting your WBC News?

If you know of anyone who is not receiving their emailed copy of the weekly WBC News, they should check their Spam Folder or the Bin. Failing that, please contact the Church Office Tel: 787778 (and leave a message on the answer phone), or email.

Fellowship News

Paul Newton Happy 70th birthday

June and Derek Stephens would like to thank you for your love, prayers, and support over many, many, months. We can now share with you, that after much prayer, decisions have had to be made. Owing to the deterioration of Derek's Alzheimer's, as of this week his new address will be: Gracewell Care Home, 19 Cross Road, Weymouth, DT4 9QV. Phone number  01305 235750.  He is allowed visitors, but it is best to ring up as Covid restrictions are in place, and a test is done on the premises. A 30 minute wait and then the  result, and  if it is clear then you can see him. This may change later in the month with news from the Government. They have a lovely cafe and also gardens to sit in.

It is going to be a big change in both of our lives, with this heart-breaking decision. Derek looks such a fit man, but his mind is not the one he used to have, so we would still appreciate your prayers, particularly as he settles in. Initially he is in for 4 weeks respite to get used to it and his surroundings.

We give praise and thanks to the Lord, for so much blessing in our 13 years of marriage we have had together. The Lord is the centre of our lives and we continue to trust in Him for strength and hope as we both cope with the huge change we have ahead of us, but also knowing  He is with us both all the time.

Blessings and love, June and Derek Stephens xx

Ted Winter and family wish to express their thanks to everyone for their prayers and cards following Bob's passing.

Brenda Woodsford would appreciate some one-off help with her garden, she lives in Dorchester. If anyone is available to do some weeding for an hour or so, please contact her (phone number via the church office if you do not have it). Please note that she has her calls monitored, so you have to say your name when ringing. Many thanks.

Mary Jane and Andrew Wallace
Mary Jane and Andrew are still looking for suitable accommodation for a care team to look after Andrew at home. A 2 bedroom ground floor Disability Friendly Accommodation, spacious enough for wheelchair use with  accessible doorways and entrance. Large wet room  or bathroom that could be adapted and living room that could accommodate a wheelchair. Some outside space for storage of disability equipment (or room to put some storage). It would need to be available in the next 6-12 weeks ideally, and the landlord or lady would need to be happy to accept housing benefit. A suitable shared housing situation would also be considered. If you know of anything suitable available for long term rent, please contact Mary Jane as soon as possible via the church office.

We want to express our thanks for all the support and prayers for Andrew, and so many kind letters and wedding cards that have meant so much to us both during this time. 

It's been an extremely  challenging time but this week has felt like a light at the end of the tunnel, as Weymouth Care Home have invited Mary Jane to be Andrew's "essential carer", which means she can now visit on a daily basis without booking appointments.

We do thank you so much for your support, love and prayers. It has not been easy for Andrew to reply due to health limitations but hopefully it won't be too long before we can meet up again in person. 

Andrew's progress has been slow but he has seen some small and steady improvements with being able to eat a more normal diet independently, recovering more speech (though this can be tiring), and a little more movement in hands and arms (though this is still very limited). He has not had the opportunity for exercise that he would like, but hopefully this will improve now that Mary Jane can help out. He is mainly more comfortable in bed, but is able to use his tilting wheelchair for a few hours each day.

Please accept our grateful thanks for your thoughts, prayers and all of the letters and cards. We are grateful for ongoing prayers for some suitable housing and the right care and equipment for Andrew as well as his ongoing healing and the grace to manage each day.  With very much love, Andrew and Mary Jane Wallace xx

WBC Crèche
We are in real need of helpers whose job role will be to help watch and interact with the children in our care, with the help of the session leader. This will include a wipe down of all toys that are out before, during and after, and also to help pack away them away. Due to children moving up to new groups, and their parent helpers also moving on, we have a real shortage. If we were to lose any more we really would not be able to provide this service for our wonderful children and families. 

If we were able to add just 2 more helpers we would be able to have each person only on once a month. If you feel that this is something you can do then please don't hesitate to get in touch with myself.  

P.S. We are not operating the crèche until at least the 3rd Sunday that we are back in the building.

Thank you so much, God bless,

Leighanne Hart
Crèche leader at Weymouth Baptist Church

Volunteer for Weymouth Foodbank

Could you be available on a Tuesday or a Friday morning?

Foodbank is needing extra volunteers both at the church, and at the warehouse on the Granby estate.

How often you commit to is entirely up to you - just one session a month would be a great help.

To find out more, please contact Helen Miller

Vacancies in WBC
H & S and Fire Safety
At Weymouth Baptist Church we want to ensure that we adhere to all the latest legislation regarding general health and safety, and fire safety. To this end we are looking for a person or persons, who is a church member, to look after the health and safety paperwork and/or the fire safety. The fire marshal course includes fire risk assessments.

The church will pay for an on-line course (webinar) which may also be a useful qualification for use in the volunteer’s secular work.

Should you want to find out more about what is involved, and have an informal chat, please contact Martin Gardener and he will get back to you.

IT Support Technician
This position within WBC has been vacant for some time now. If you are a WBC member and think you may be interested, but unsure and need questions answering, and/or would like to see the job description, please contact Ted Winter for an informal chat.

Weyfinders (50+ Group) Holiday Sunday 17th - Thursday 21st October
A provisional booking has been made for 4 nights staying at the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel in Sidmouth, Devon. 

Latest Update - 9 folk are already booked to go so far. We have such a good time, please do think about joining us. You do not have to be part of the Weyfinders (50 years plus) team to join us. If 10 or more people book, then there will be discount. Transport is usually shared if you do not have a car. Limited rooms are available now. No deposit required at the moment, as rates are not settled yet. Why not take a look at the Hotel details online. Freephone 0800 220714 or email stay@royalyorkhotel.co.uk      June Stephens

WBC Building Plans
If anyone has any drawings of the WBC building and/or piped and electrical services in WBC, would they please give them to Martin Gardener. You can contact him on email or phone (number in the Member's Directory).

He is happy to come and collect any information that you may have.

Ladies Fellowship
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with them.

Lovely ladies, join us for a morning cuppa and chat via ‘Zoom’ every Wednesday at 11.30 am (please note the change of time).

Just to see someone can make a difference. Ladies, this will open the doors to enable us to have:

• A chance to speak, looking at each other woman to woman.
• A time to praise God for all of His provision.
• A time to share, chat and laugh together.
• An opportunity to share hope and positivity.
• Fellowship to build each other up, to encourage one another.
• With a time of shared prayer at 11.15 am

To join the Zoom meeting, or if you need any further information, please contact June Stephens.

For those who do not have ‘Zoom’ the phone, or text  "how are you?" is already working well, and so wonderfully welcoming during the week.

Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed.

Mission News

The Douglas Family – June 21

They are thrilled that on the 20th May Qinsio Judah joined their family, his name means ‘truthful’ in Zulu. He is an amazing, lively, fun loving little boy with the most beautiful eyes, gorgeous smile and infectious giggle. He tells anyone who will listen ‘me is now a Dug-u-lus’. They praise God for his settling so well into their family. They have several administrative tasks to complete before they can apply for a British passport for him, so will need to stay longer in South Africa. 

Caleb, Charis and Esther have just completed their school year, completely online. Caleb’s AS Exams were cancelled at the very last minute as Nepal entered lockdown. Unlike UK schools they did not have further assessments set in the summer, so will receive their grades based mainly on the mock exams from before Easter. Caleb has already started the A Level course and is looking forward to a break over the summer.

Angus has been working remotely from South Africa (which is 1 hour closer to the Nepal time zone, so this makes it easier for meetings). It has been tricky juggling 3 online schoolers plus his online working with a lively toddler in the midst. He is starting to undertake more of the responsibility of his new INF role. Currently the Nepal border is closed due to the levels of Covid, but they are praying that this situation will improve allowing them to return once they have Qiniso’s passport.

I am sure you have all seen and heard how severe the pandemic is in Nepal and the plea for help from the Prime Minister. So much prayer is needed for this situation. There is much joy for the family with the adoption of Qiniso but sadness at the news of the deaths of 2 leaders of their Cornerstone Church, Pastor John and his son Pastor Samuel in the same week. One of Charis’s closest friends is Pastor Samuel’s daughter.

Please pray for –

• INF and HDCS mission hospitals, strength and protection as they serve, that they might shine as beacons of light and hope in the midst of death and sadness.
• INF and other Christian organisations and Churches as they reach out to those struggling with lockdown, particularly amongst the poorest.
• INF’s general agreement to be signed enabling visas to be issued (including Angus’s).
• For the Nepali Church to grow in depth, hope and maturity as they walk through this dark valley.
• For Angus as he undertakes his new role at INF remotely.
• For all the family as they adjust to life with their new addition, that Qiniso would feel safe, loved and secure with them despite the huge transition done and another ahead when they return to Nepal.
• For Nepal as they face this huge Covid surge, for the government to resolve political disputes and work with unity and wisdom.
• For God’s hand on all their paperwork processing for the adoption and passport application and guidance for when and how they return to Nepal.

As always they thank us for WBC’s partnership with them, our prayers and support are essential and much valued.

Rosemary Croft.

May - June Placement Update
Greetings! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 

I am just beside myself with how much has changed for me in a few weeks of restrictions being lifted. For instance, I have joined a local church football team and have played four games with them, sadly we are on a four game losing streak - I often wonder why we haven’t won any games yet!  

Our team started a series with the young people on the book of James which we are just about to complete this Sunday, as well as the “Youth Well Being Journey” series that was created by Hope. These series have helped us in the way we view and display our faith and raised awareness of our well-being as well as those who may be struggling. 

During the half term, I went down to Paignton to help ‘Glo Torbay’ with their beach project and I was involved in paddle board rentals and detached youth work. It was a superb experience for me - I managed to convince myself to take out a paddle board on the water! (of which I apologise to Elaine and Timo for saying, “I would not enter the UK beaches” but ended up doing it). Moreover, I was invited to attend another local church and there I heard and obeyed God’s Voice when we were praying for one another.  Now, I am back in Bristol for the week, preparing for my SWYM conference the following week at Hill House! (but by the time you read this I would already be there).

Thank you for your continued support and for Joanne and Steve for checking in on me the past few months, you have been a blessing! 

Before I sign off, I have a prayer request, that God will give me insight into what He wants me to do next year as I have options laid out before me, but I am uncertain of what He wants me to do.

Nonetheless, may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 

God Bless You, Ydson (Itcyn)

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