THE MESSENGER AUTUMN 2016 EDITION 4

Y Llwyfan BUW Annual Meetings 2017

Friday, 16th June in the Halliwell Theatre,

Trinity St Davids University, Carmarthen

A bilingual service will be held

in the evening for the induction

of the two Presidents

Saturday, 17th June at the

Halliwell Theatre

The BUW 150 year Celebration

A celebration for the

Baptist Family in Wales

This will be a family day!

*************

Travel abroad with the BMS

Would you be interested in making a

visit abroad for about a week with the

BMS?

To co-incide with the 150th BUW cele-

brations, a visit is being arranged under

the leadership of the Reverend Mark

Thomas and Mrs Tricia Rogers. The pur-

pose of the journey will be to visit BMS

projects.

When? Spr ing or ear ly Summer 2017.

Where? The destination has not yet

been finalised but Kolkata and Nepal are

currently being considered.

Cost: Approximately £1,000.

If you are interested, please contact the Reverend Simeon Baker at simeon@ubc.cymru or Mrs Bonni Davies bonni@ubc.cymru or 01267 245660.

"…Here is your mother..." The Baptist Union of Wales - Christian Aid Appeal 2016

As we rapidly draw near to the end of the year, has your church remembered the Baptist Union of Wales Christian Aid Ap-peal? We have received generous dona-tions from some of our churches and indi-viduals but we have some way to go be-fore reaching our target of £40,000. At the beginning of this year, information was distributed about the Maternal Health Project that we’re supporting in Northern Ghana to all Church secretaries. We hope that you have had an opportunity to use the resources and to learn more about the chal-lenges facing Northern Ghana. If you need more resources please get in touch with us at y Llwyfan, we would be pleased to forward what you need. All resources are available on the Baptist Union of Wales website and include a variety of materials: a power point presentation, prayer card, poster, infor-mation sheets about Ghana and fund raising ideas. In addition, there are sermon notes based on Jesus’ words from the cross: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” The he said to the disciple “Behold your mother!” (John 19: 26-27). During the week of the National Eisteddfod held in August a short film was released about the work that is undertaken to promote maternal health in Northern Ghana. The film can be downloaded from the Chris-tian Aid website and used as part of a presentation about the appeal. Go to the Christian Aid website in Wales http://www.christianaid.org.uk/cymru/ and click on the link ‘Resources’.

The Appeal can be promoted by distributing information about the project that we are supporting; encouraging individuals to give generously so as to save the lives of new born babies and to support parents in raising healthy families in Ghana. The circumstanc-es there call for the most up to date maternal health facilities. Local communities are be-ing enabled by Christian Aid’s partner (SEND Ghana) to hold the government to account so as to provide the best available resources for all those working within the field of maternal health. Whilst Ghana has enjoyed relative economic success, the north-ern areas continue to suffer from higher lev-els of poverty and deprivation, particularly in the area of maternal health. Every Appeal that the Baptist Union of Wales has supported in the past has exceeded its fundraising target and we very much hope that this will be the case for this Appeal too. Meeting the target of £40,000 will also help us to unlock £400,000 of European Union funding. Thank you for your co-operation in support-ing this important Appeal as we seek to save the lives of future generations in Ghana. We will be publishing the amounts received in the Messenger and we hope that this will be a means of encouraging churches and individu-als to give generously to the appeal. Should you wish to gift aid your donation, Christian Aid will be able to claim an additional 25% for every £1 that is donated. Gift Aid enve-lopes are available from the Llwyfan.

"...Here is your Mother..."

Outside the new clinic in West Gonja with some of the villagers

List of donations for the BUW Christian Aid Ghana Appeal

Induction Service at Knighton

Rev Andrew Wyton (Superintendent Rads & Monts) leading the induction service for Rev Kevin Dare and his wife Judith at Norton Street Baptist Church, Knighton on Sat-urday 15 October 2016. WE extend a warm welcome to Kevin and Judith.

Book sale proceeds – Revd Wynn Vittle: £3,000.00 Ainon Dolywern: £106.00 Maenclochog Senior Citizens: £50.00 Penyrheol Baptist Chapel: £55.00 Bethlehem, Cemaes, Anglesey: £100.00 Salem Fforddlas: £50.00 Noddfa Garnswllt: £250.00 Penuel Manorbier: £105.00 Rhuthun: £75.00 Calfaria Login: £500.00 Revd Judith Morris: £250.00 Carmel Pontrhydfendigaid: £65.00 Miss Gaynor Davies, Talgarth £55.00 Revd Gwyn Rogers: £10.00 Calfaria Abersoch: £50.00 Bethesda Tycroes: £100.00 Noddfa Ynysybwl: £50.00 Bethania Llansannan: £50.00 Bethlehem, Cemaes Anglesey: £200 Calfaria Garnant: £100.00 Seion Noddfa Gorseinon: £125.00 Miss Heulwen Ann Davies: £15.00 Linda, Breconshire Association: £20.00 Noddfa Ruhamah Porthcawl: £500.00 Caersalem Caernarfon: £800.00 Gowerton District Baptist Meetings:

£155.00 Mr Graham Perret, Glanaman, Ammanford:

£20.00 Revd Judith Morris: £145.00 Service at Bethlehem Porthyrhyd: £55.00 Moriah Coelbren: £50.00 Noddfa Foelcwan: £50.00 Babell Pontarddulais: £100.00 Zion Cwmcarn: £200.00 Bethania Talog: £50.00 Tabernacl Pontarddulais: £300.00 Mrs Mairwen Crockett, Tabernacle EBC:

£100.00 Carmel Pontlliw: £1,223.00 Ainon Ystradgynlais: £200.00 Seion St Clears: £35.00 Salem Llangennech Sisterhood: £50.00 D.Ff.M. Association: £250.00 English Assembly Collection: £365.00 Singing Festival Collection Caerphilly:

£251.32 Bethany Llansteffan: £50.00 Dolau Nantmel: £100.00 Mrs Falmai Puw Davis: £30.00 Moriah Coelbren: £100.00 Sutton: £140.00 Anonymous: £2.00 Heol y Felin Aberdare: £100.00 Hermon Fishguard: £200.00 Ramoth Cwmfelin Mynach: £167.00 Moreia Menai Bridge: £300.00 Sarn Baptist Church: £150.00 Seion Newydd Morriston Sisterhood: £25.00 Collection at Tabernacle (Welsh Assembly Meetings): £190.00 Tabernacl Burry Port: £50.00 Saundersfoot United Churches: £416.60 Bethel Y Tymbl: £1,000 Bethel Aberystwyth: £300.00 Cardigan & District Singing Festival £849.16 Radnor Baptist Festival Committee: £50.00 Rhydyfelin Chapel: £300.00 Tabernacl Carmarthen: £187.00 Cylch Eglwysi Gogledd Teifi: £37.00 Ebeneser Llangynog: £100.00

President’s Service C&C Association: £269.95

Y Graig, Newcastle Emlyn: £150.00 Bridgend District Meeting: £250.00 Carmel Pontlliw: £165.00 Beulah Cwmtwrch: £100.00 Rev Dr Michael Collis: £25.00 Penrhiwgoch: £20.00 Pisgah Pyle: £200.00 Seion Llanelli: £400.00 Castle Street, London: £1,900.00 Castle Street, London: £275.00 Calfaria Skewen: £207.00 Breconshire Singing Festival: £150.00 Erwood Baptist Chapel: £50.00 Judah Dolgellau: £100.00 Gilead Belan, Anglesey: £200.00 Carmel Pontrhydfendigaid: £20.00 Revd & Mrs Glandwr Roberts: £30.00 Ebeneser Llanllyfni: £92.81 Tabernacle Carmarthen: £80.00 Anonymous: £110.00

Kensington Brecon: £151.00 Arfon Association: £800.00 Tabernacle Llandudno: £240.00 Pembrokeshire Association (Eng): £500.00 Erwood Harvest Festival: £310.00 Siloam Kidwelly: £50.00 Pembrokeshire Assoc. (Welsh): £1,200.00 Anglesey Association: £65.00 Welsh Sisterhood Movement: £500.00 Mrs Elizabeth M Widlake: £100.00 Ramoth Cwmfelinmynach: £80.00 Horeb Penrhyncoch: £200.00 Salem Llangennech: £100.00 Mr & Mrs Denzil Harries, Penrhiwgoch:

£38.00 Calfaria Clydach: £100.00 Penuel Carmarthen: £200.00 Noddfa Lampeter: £146.00 Bethel Mynachlog-ddu: £500.00 Bethel, Fishguard: £100.00

Total on 1st November: £25,298.84

A good number of Bangor University students who come from Ghana joined the latest fundraising effort by Emaus Church, Bangor, for the Appeal.

inspiring people doing some inspiring things for the Lord

European Baptist Federation Council 2016

in Tallinn, Estonia

Revd Mark Thomas (BUW President) at the opening service at the EBF Council at Tal-lin, Estonia with Alan Donaldson (Baptist Union of Scotland) and Tony Peck (General Secretary EBF).

What a privilege to attend this gathering, where it didn’t take long to acquire an abid-ing impression - here are some inspiring peo-ple doing some inspiring things for the Lord.

The tallest tower in Tallinn is the imposing St. Olaf’s Church and, thanks in part to the Soviets decision to put all the free church congregations into this one place during their occupation of Estonia, it is now a vibrant Baptist church. It provided the stunning ven-ue for the opening celebration of the EBF Council where over 40 member Unions came together to worship the Lord.

The Council which meets annually in Sep-tember of each year, usually numbering around 120-130 delegates and its meetings are a time for worship, inspiration and infor-mal sharing.

The EBF is described as ‘a federation for co-operation’. Which means it is not a Union or even a ‘super-Union’, but simply seeks to gather and work together around our shared Baptist identity and a shared commitment to evangelism and church planting, defending religious freedom, theological education, and helping those in practical need - the most acute need being that of the refugee crisis and this was a focus at this Council. We heard reports of how Baptist churches in different countries were reaching out to refu-gees and experiencing great blessing, amidst the ongoing challenges.

Nabil Costa, referring to the tireless work of Lebanese Baptists, who have been reaching out to Syrian refugees since the conflict be-gan in 2011, spoke of the spiritual impact of offering compassion.

One of the resolutions that came out of the Council specifically related the situation in Aleppo, Syria, in a form of words that could be utilized by each member Union to press their governments to act justly and merciful-ly.

Stories about what God is doing

We heard stories from Ukraine about the churches reclaiming their missionary spirit.

We heard stories from Finland of how the Finnish speaking and Swedish speaking Un-ions (yes, there are two Unions in the one country!) are increasingly collaborating.

We heard stories from our hosts (Estonia). Erki Tamm told of how Baptists are operating a network of second hand shops which pro-vide locations where people’s needs can be met, and of Birthday 365 - a project where they celebrate the birthday of a child who for various social reasons would not be celebrat-ing.

And it was humbling to hear Josifs Makaren-ko, from Russia talk about dreams to plant churches in places where there are no church-es, and provide the Bible to some of the 140 indigenous people groups in Russia, despite the challenges of financial difficulties and limited legal freedoms in the country. ‘Present difficulties create new opportuni-ties,’ he said.

Thinking about what God is doing

There were also presentations to stretch the mind, each day starting with a reflection on Baptist identity in a Post-Denominational age by speakers from Estonia, Slovakia, Poland and Teun van der Leer, Rector of the Baptist seminary in Amsterdam. These papers are available via the EBF website and they are worth a look, especially the first one by Esto-nian theologian Toivo Pilli who spoke about the Baptist way of doing church and how suited this makes us for mission in our day.

We in the Baptist Union of Wales have much to benefit from being part of the EBF. It’s good to be European.

The Revd Mark Thomas,

BUW President

Correspondence

from the BMS

Church Relations

Manager

Maternity Leave Dear friends, I’m sure we are all delighting in the wonder-ful news that Menna Machreth is having a baby very soon. This good news also comes with the problem of what to do while Menna is enjoying time with her new family on ma-ternity leave. As you probably know Menna’s role is to facilitate mission in Wales with both a local and global engagement and in the case of the latter that’s expressed through BMS World Mission. In that regard Menna is a part of the BMS Church Relations Team, which I have the privilege of leading. In broad terms, any questions you have about BMS relationships during Menna’s absence can come direct to the Church Relations Team and we will also directly handle enquiries about BMS Speak-ers and Church Partners. Here are the key contact details to keep a note of: BMS Speakers http://www.bmsworldmission.org/speakers Church Partners http://www.bmsworldmission.org/churchpartners Church Relations Team For general relationship enquiries or to talk with someone about BMS Speakers or Church Partners ring 01235 517600 churchrelations@bmsworldmission.org Please do feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll do our very best to answer all your en-quiries, though it’ll have to be in English! I’m sure, like me, you will be looking for-ward to the day Menna returns to work but in the meantime, please be assured of our very best efforts to continue to support you, albeit from a distance, during her absence. Yours in His service

Alastair Clunie Church Relations Manager BMS World Mission

We would welcome Good

News stories from

YOUR church

LORD HAVE MERCY—Launch of Prison Hope 2017

‘Action Wales’ Team 2016 settle at Llanelli Welsh Memorials to

the Great War

Cameron, Aled and Brandon settle into their accommodation with the latest in TV technology! The three would appreciate your prayers as they settle in the churches.

For the past few months ‘Welsh Memorials to the Great War’, a project run at Swansea University, has been gathering images and information about the plaques and ‘rolls of honour’ that are in Welsh chapels to remem-ber those who served in the First World War. Details of the project and examples of what has been discovered can be found on the website war-memorials.swan.ac.uk The collection of material will continue until the end of the year, so if you have any infor-mation on chapel memorials in your area (and a photograph, if possible) please con-tact Gethin Matthews on: g.h.matthews@swansea.ac.uk or (01792) 606536.

Thank you for sending me to prison. And an equally big thanks to the staff at HMP Pentonville for letting me out again on the same day!

The day - Monday 10th October. The occa-sion - an event to mark the beginning of Pris-ons Week 2016 (themed: Lord Have Mercy), and the launch of ‘Prison Hope’.

As I write of that experience, my newsfeed is informing me that a prisoner has died and two others were critically injured in a stab-bing at that very prison, and I’m here praying ‘Lord have mercy’. It’s a prayer you’ve prob-ably prayed many times - for yourself, for

others, for those who know and those you don’t.

At the event we heard a former Pentonville inmate give a spoken word performance which expressed the need to remember in prayer the difficult journey many prisoners have found themselves on as they face judgement and shame. As a result, my ‘Lord have mercy’ prayers now include those who work in our prisons (they work amidst chal-lenging circumstances), those who have loved ones in prison (especially the 96,993 children with a parent in prison), and those detained in prison (who need an encounter with the God of hope).

Hope is integral to the Gospel.

Hope is that which God gives us in Jesus Christ.

Hope is that which we as Christians have to offer to the world in Christ’s name.

So it was appropriate that the event organis-ers drew attention to Prison Hope, an initia-tive which aims to improve the connection between local churches and prisons, by en-couraging more churches to pray for their local prison and by developing a volunteer-

ing network to carry out visitor support both pre-release and after release from prison.

Prison Hope is seeking to facilitate Christian hope into our criminal justice system - for offenders, former offenders, and those who have been the victims of crime. Check out their website for more info : www.hopetogether.org.uk

Mark Thomas

As we grow in faith and realise how much God loves each one of us – how great is his mercy in forgiving, nurturing and encourag-ing us – then we find that we ourselves be-come more able to show mercy to others, and then to ask God to show more mercy to us. It’s a virtuous circle: he is merciful, so we become merciful, and then we experience more of his mercy! But we know that we could always do better, and although God calls us to perfection, only God is perfect. So, in this Year of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis, “Lord, have mercy’ is our shared, common prayer, putting us all on holy ground and on equal footing as we draw closer to Jesus, the ‘face of the Fa-ther’s mercy’. Join us thus year by praying for those involved in this vital ministry. (Taken from the Prison Hope website)