News

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.

Congratulations
to Claire who has been made the Weymouth CAP Centre Manager.

Continue to pray for her as she carries out this amazing work and leads the team of workers & volunteers. Be Blessed Claire.

Congratulations
to Jayne for accomplishing a 1st Class Honours Degree from Moorlands

Church Services
Whilst the government is reducing some restrictions in early July, we will not be opening the Church building for Sunday worship services yet, until there is the capacity for people to meet as we would like.

Church weekend away at Moorlands College 21-23 August 2020
It is with regret that our planned weekend away is CANCELLED by the College, due to the current government restrictions. The College is unable to offer a suitable weekend in 2021, and therefore our deposit will be refunded.
All who have booked will be similarly reimbursed in due course - Neil will be in touch. Whilst we cannot go away together as a church at the moment, we are hoping to arrange a day outing when restrictions are lifted - more details to follow.

Reflections on Leadership (5)

GOD IS LOOKING FOR PERSISTENT PEOPLE: People that He can use in a tremendous way that never give up.  People who don’t get easily discouraged.  People who are diligent, persistent, and determined.  They hang on.  Paul says, I press on.  I don’t give up.  Galatians 6:9 says let us not get tired of doing what is right for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. 

The Bible has a lot of examples of people who had tremendous promise but dropped out.  Paul talks about Demus in 2 Timothy.  He said He has forsaken me having loved the world.  He started off right, but he flamed out.  John Mark started out right.  He was going with Paul and Barnabas but he copped out.  Later he got back on the right road.  God uses people who don’t give up and who are persistent.

When we’re discouraged it’s because we’re choosing to be discouraged.  We are looking at the problem, rather than looking at the Lord.  A person’s greatness is not determined by their talent or wealth but what it takes to discourage them.  God will never put more on you than He puts in you to bear it up.  So, trust Him.  Sometimes you can put more on yourself.  

The secret to Paul’s usefulness was that nothing could discourage him.  God uses people who are persistent.  We are pressed on every side by troubles but are not crushed or broken.  We’re perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit.  We are hunted down but God never abandons us.  We are knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.  That’s why Paul was a great person.  He just kept on keeping on.

What does it take to discourage you?  One little word of criticism and you’re ready to give up?          

I read a study that said the average pastor leaves the church because of five people.  If I left every time I got criticized…..!  

We need to say, “Lord, give me a tough skin and a tender heart” It’s important to have both.  If you’re going to be a leader, a minister, if you’re going to serve Jesus Christ, you need a tough skin and a tender heart.  It’s hard to keep that balance, but we need them both.  We cannot live our life for the approval of other people.  

God says, I’m looking for persistent people.  Christians should never let troubles get them down except down on our knees.  A great person is just an ordinary person who has an extraordinary amount of determination.  Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration.”   

Peter Mockett (Rev)

Please pray for NEW Deacons
We particularly need a deacon to take on responsibility for the church fabric (you don’t have to be an expert – there is help from other church members) also for someone to pick up our Communications and IT area. Please speak to Peter if you know someone who may be right, or you feel the calling yourself. Many thanks and we keep trusting God for our future.

FoodBank update
Thank you so much for all the contributions of food and money which are continuing to be given to Foodbank.  These enable us to go on providing clients with much needed essentials.  At the present time Foodbank is going through significant changes, for which we would very much value your prayers. Until now, Foodbank has come under the charity status of Weymouth Baptist Church.  However, Foodbank has steadily been growing, and has now reached a point where it needs to become a charity in its own right.  Please pray for those who are working on this that the new charity status will be able to be achieved without too much delay.  Additionally, the amount of stock that Foodbank holds is now too large to be stored at WBC. There has been much prayer about this, and this week we have been offered a warehouse on Granby where food can be stored.  This will enable Foodbank to function in a different way, as we also expect to be joining with the Foodbanks that have been working from St Edmund’s and Littlemoor during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Give thanks for the provision of this warehouse and continue to pray for the discussions with other local Foodbanks as we seek to expand this work which is so greatly needed in our town.

Foodbank Prayer Meeting: join with others from WBC and other churches in Weymouth to pray for the work of Foodbank and the changes that are taking place in this ministry. Thursday 20th August 7.30pm on Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83704858225?pwd=UVZzbkc5LzhqbWNYNTBBN25jS3ZmQT09

Meeting ID: 837 0485 8225     Password: 363814

The Nest
This is just a resume to show that God has not been locked down.

Some of you may remember that 3½ years ago God gave me a vision of a project to use food that would be wasted, but still edible, to help feed those in need. God also said to call it ‘The Nest’.  In the intervening time a Community Interest Company called The Nest was registered at Companies House but the team dwindled and nothing seemed to be happening. People told me to be patient, that it would happen in God’s time and not to get frustrated. As I’m impatient and wanting to see this happen it has been a difficult time. Those ‘people’ were right. Through lock-down God has moved in the most amazing way and His timing is spot on.

Since 13th June it has been non-stop. We now have a wonderful team of enthusiastic and dedicated people working hard to set up a Social Supermarket at The Waverley in Abbotsbury Road where we have excellent premises for 9 months so that we can get established. We also have the support of the local community and a local housing association which has contact with around 10,000 residents. Much more than we could have ever imagined.

A word of explanation. A social supermarket is not in competition with the Foodbank. The Foodbank is there for people, in a desperate situation, who need emergency food – in practice about 2% of the population. The Nest is there for people who cannot guarantee to put food on the table – around 9% of the population. The food is not free - customers will be asked to pay a small amount.

What can you do? Please PRAY for God’s continued leading and……….. for volunteers, for funds, for people to help, for good relations with local supermarkets, for equipment, for good publicity and there’ll be more. You could also pray about whether you may be interested in  helping.

We are hoping to be open at the start of October so watch this space.    Neil Hardisty.

The Douglas Family - July 2020 From Rosemary Croft

The Douglas Family send greetings from Nepal – they were just coming to the end of their 5 week monsoon lock-down summer break for the children and it’s been a strange “holiday” not quite what they had hoped for! Caleb, Charis and Esther settled into a routine of daily exercise – trampoline, online workouts or PE with Joe, board games, baking, reading, watching and seeing a friend (as rules relaxed a little). Helen and Angus continued with work from home or the hospital and office.

This year the monsoon has been very heavy with swollen rivers, flooding and landslides and over 100 people have lost their lives. It has been a tough few months, although confirmed COVID-19 cases (18,241) and deaths (43) remain relatively low, this does not reflect the true impact of the pandemic on the country.

Nepal’s two main sources of income are tourism and money sent home from diaspora around particularly the Middle East and Asia. These sources have both completely dried up this year. Since the lock-down on 24th March unemployment has soared, many have faced financial ruin, suicide cases are rising, mental health experts warn of a ‘grim situation’. There is also worsening health access with an increase in maternal mortality. Women have died in childbirth due to difficulties or delay in accessing antenatal or labour care.

These many challenges can seem overwhelming at times, but God is at work. They have been able, and pleased to supply food relief through a colleague, to their local church and daughter churches in rural areas to over 200 families struggling to survive. They have reminded themselves, and others, of God’s faithfulness and unchangeable nature in a confusing and changing world. That He is ever present, very loving and compassionate to the cries and voices of His children, offering His peace, presence and joy in the midst of the storm whirling round them.

Please continue to remember Nepal in your prayers.   The government has announced the partial lifting of lockdown (despite rapidly rising cases) in view of the hardship it is causing.

• Pray for those impacted by economic hardships, virus and monsoon damage, that they would get support and hope in their difficulties.
• Pray for the church and NGOs as they seek to support those who struggle, for wisdom in how to act.
• Pray for Caleb, Charis and Esther as they return to online school, that they would grow, develop and enjoy this term despite the challenging circumstances.
• Pray for Angus and the KISC Leadership team as they try to plan and lead in an ever changing environment.
• Pray for Helen’s hospital visa which is in process at the moment.

It’s been a tough summer for them as a family, as it has been for so many around the world, but they have known that our prayers here at WBC have been supporting and encouraging them, and it has made such a difference.

They send their love and their thanks to us all.

From Len & Rosemary Croft
The Bible Society in The Gulf in their Prayer Guide for the month share these thoughts –  We are living in an unprecedented time of uncertainty, but one thing we know for sure is that our God is faithful.   This is how Prasad, a migrant worker in Dubai, explained the current situation,  “It is not corona but Karuna which means mercy, grace and compassion in Telugu.  God is giving us the opportunity to turn to Him.   It is God’s wake up call to us to wake up and pursue the reality of God.”

 
How great is our God and Father in heaven.

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.

Can You Help?
We have been contacted by an agency requesting items for a client moving to Weymouth with her 6  month old daughter. If you have any pots, pans, a hoover, wardrobe, bedroom cabinet, TV, table, or cutlery then please contact the Church Office.

Appeal from Tear Fund
In April, you stood with us as the church took immediate action to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in vulnerable communities. We are deeply grateful for your church’s prayerful support. You helped provide 1.3 million people across 34 countries with life-saving assistance such as hygiene education, hand washing facilities and food parcels.  Even as the pandemic slows down here in the UK, across the world it is accelerating. People already suffering due to conflict, persecution and poverty now face the threat of a disease against which they have little protection. Millions of lives are at stake, and the need is growing every day. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – a group of 14 of the UK’s leading aid charities – has launched an urgent appeal for help. We’re joining with other DEC members to ask for your support.

· In Yemen, millions of people have been facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with extreme hunger and violence part of everyday life. Now, there’s coronavirus too.

· In the Democratic Republic of Congo, decades of internal conflict, as well as numerous Ebola outbreaks, have wreaked havoc upon the country. Now, there’s coronavirus too.

· In Syria, entire cities have been reduced to rubble in one of the most destructive conflicts in recent history. Millions have been forced from their homes. Now, there’s coronavirus too.

These countries and many others simply do not have the infrastructure to cope with the pandemic, and risk being taken beyond the brink of disaster. But there is hope. Because there is the church. Tearfund continues to step up its response, working with local churches and other partners to reach people in need. There are a number of ways in which you can support this work:

· Pray: we have up-to-date prayer slides to use in services and small groups, as well as a helpful prayer guide. You can find these on our website.

· Give: the sacrificial giving of the UK church has already been a lifeline to vulnerable communities. But more needs to be done. If you are able, please consider giving to our appeal.

Thank you for joining us as we continue to follow Jesus where the need is greatest. Further challenges lie ahead, but if you act now you can save lives.

Travel cot Available
We have a travel cot for a baby or youngster which we no longer require and would like someone to have for free.
Jocelyn and Donald Crocker.

WBC’s Virtual Noticeboard
Are you missing not being able to read the notices in church? Is there something you would like to share with others in the fellowship?

We now have a virtual church noticeboard exclusively for members and regular attenders where you can post your own notices alongside the regular church notices such as prayer meetings. Perhaps you have something to sell or give away - something you want - a photo that would bless the rest of us - a video of a party - an encouraging word - in fact anything that would be of interest or use to others and at the same time help bind us together during these times of separation.

To post a notice, double-click on a blank part of the noticeboard. It’s that easy to use. Embellish your notice with a photo, a video, a pdf file and much more. Have a look now and see what’s already there, and bookmark the address to make it even easier for regular access.

Our noticeboard is not public; only those with the website address can access it, so please respect this and don’t share the link with others outside the fellowship. All new posts need approval by an Admin before being visible to others. The noticeboard's address is published in the weekly WBC News, available to members and regular attenders.

Ted Winter will be pleased to answer any queries.

For those who are unable to view the WBC online Services
We would like to be able to share a bigger part of the WBC Sunday online services to those folk who are unable to see or hear the services for themselves. If you would like to be linked with a Church Member who could relay the service over the telephone for you to hear, then please contact the Church Office. So, obviously we would be seeking members willing to offer this to those who have shown an interest. Likewise, please contact the Church Office.

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