Here we are in March already! I’m really enjoying the occasional sunshine we’ve been getting recently. Lots of things have happened since my last newsletter—have a look at the other page for details. One of the major changes in terms of my role at Viz-A-Viz Ministries is that I’m now working pretty much full time with Ed Jones for Arise Ministries. They were looking for someone to help out with administration and also to go on the road with Ed delivering events and training. Having already been doing bits and pieces for Arise it seems a natural transition. Plus my desk is outside Ed’s office so it’s pretty handy! I’m excited to have a bit more direction and also to be working with children! In terms of drama, there will still be some opportunities within Arise, but I think I’m moving away from that slightly.

There’s lots of changes going on at Viz-A-Viz Ministries with financial difficulties and staff redundancies, however it’s most definitely not falling apart. The organisation is moving from one which primarily delivers evangelistic events to one focussing on engaging and equipping others in evangelism. Den is spending increased amounts of time working with churches in North America and also being asked to visit many other countries. It’s a time of change, but it’s exciting!

I am still entirely self funded which is great, challenging, a privilege and all sorts of other things! I’m so blessed by the people who are supporting me that each month I am able to exactly meet my immediate bills (rent, phone, contact lenses, petrol contribution), it’s just the extras like food, leisure and buying presents that are a challenge! I would appreciate your prayers for my finances and if you feel you may be able to help me out please let me know. I know that God will provide my needs in which ever way he chooses!

In other news...my nephew Billy celebrated his 1st birthday on 3rd February, we had fun playing at an indoor play centre and eating lots of cake! He’s just started walking too and causing utter chaos wherever he goes! I hope you are all well. I would really love to hear from you so please feel free to give me a ring or drop me an email!

Laura Bayliss laurabayliss@vizaviz.org

www.whatslauraupto.com

Viz-A-Viz Ministries Phoenix Court, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3EZ 01268 530531 www.vizaviz.org

FinanceFinanceFinanceFinance If you would like to support me financially please download a ‘Regular Gift Form’ or ‘One-Off Gift

Form’ at http://www.vizaviz.org/VAVsupport.htm

To support me with a financial gift online please visit www.justgiving.co.uk/laurabayliss

CalendarCalendarCalendarCalendar April 2nd: Arise Exhibition Day 5th: C of E Exhibition 8th-10th: Newbury Baptist Weekend Away 11th-17th: Holiday 29th-2nd: Baptist Assembly

As you can see my March-May event diary isn’t too full at the moment, but there are lots of possible that haven’t been confirmed and new things being added. For my most accurate calendar visit:

www.whatslauraupto.com/calendar

PrayerPrayerPrayerPrayer Please pray for Viz-A-Viz Ministries, the staff, finances and leadership team. Pray for the events coming up, the people involved and smooth preparations. Pray for good relationships between us as we work together and that we follow God’s leading at this time.

March UpdateMarch UpdateMarch UpdateMarch Update

2011

2011

2011

2011

Event Diaries Event Diaries Event Diaries Event Diaries More Than A Story - 18th September The main event before Christmas was More Than A Story, the event that Andy, Rich, Sam and Myself had been busy putting together for the previous few months. Unfortunately we only ended up with one booking, at my home church in Braintree on the 18th December. If anyone was in the area that day they'll remember that a ridiculous amount of snow fell in a very short time! The consequences of this were that Den couldn't physically get to Braintree from South Woodham Ferrers so Rich had to step in to his role as main speaker and I took over from Rich as one of the quiz hosts. The snow also stopped many people from coming so we only had about 25 in the audience but it was still brilliant. My Dad did his best to embarrass me at every turn but this just added

to the fun and relaxed atmosphere. We were really happy with how the event went and hope that it made an impact on those that braved the snow!

Holland - 14th-24th January Andy and I went to Holland with Taste which was great. We did a few church services, gigs, a children's club and a day of workshops with youth leaders from the area. Our hosts Sieb and Douwe were incredible - so welcoming and constantly feeding us amazing food!! It's great to meet people who speak a different language and do things differently but know we're still worshipping the same God. It's difficult to know the impact of what we have done, we just have to trust God used us!

Sandy Baptist - 30th January On January 30th I travelled up to Sandy Baptist with Ed and his wife Emma (Rich’s Sister) and their 2 adorable children Ewan (4) and Evie (3). Sandy Baptist is ministered by Beth Powney (Emma and Rich’s Mum, who used to work for Viz-A-Viz and who I stayed with for the first 3 weeks of my first gap year) and so I was looking forward to seeing her and Stephen again. Ed was taking part in the family service and I came along partly to assist, but also to see how I might be able to help out more at future services Ed is invited to. It was really great and I ended up singing too which was good. The Bible passage was Mark 4: 35-41, looking at Jesus calming the storm. The angle Ed was taking was looking the fact Jesus was just on his way from A to B when the storm came. What are the storms that hit us everyday? And what are our fears? We did an interactive Bible reading featuring a large squirrel (No, Ed, that says SQUALL!) and an activity which involved creating lots of mess with polystyrene! The response was writing a fear on a pebble and placing it in a container of water – then later taking a pebble home to pray for that person and situation. I really enjoyed being part of it and working with Ed—bodes well for my further involvement!

Children’s Ministry Conference - 4th-6th February Ed Jones, Sam La Roche, Andy Keel and I travelled to Eastbourne for the Children's and Families Ministry Conference to run an Arise Ministries Stand. Lots of planning had gone into this including large orders of yo-yos and colouring pencils! The main focus of our stand was to promote 'Just a child?', the new training initiative from Arise. On the stand we constantly played with yo-yos which gained attention - especially Sam with his super fancy yo-yo and tricks! Ed liked to think his 'tricks' wowed people...we humoured his many different stances that were basically the same thing!! Over the weekend we had lots of good conversations, for many linking up the resource 'Alf' (which is quite widely known and used) with the organisation behind it. Ed had a showcase on the Christmas resource - Journey To The Centre Of The Christmas Pudding which went well, and a seminar exploring why holiday clubs should be part of a whole year's outreach. The weekend was great fun and through conversations we made lots of new contacts.

Solid Remix - 11th February For this night we transformed Chelmsford Cathedral! The chairs were cleared and in came the staging, lights, visuals, PA, gazebo, laptops, sweets, crisps, bouncy castle, crafts,

performers, speakers and many more activities. This year there were four different zones, each with a theme looking at different encounters with Jesus and involved fun activities, food and spiritual thought/input. The young people were put into groups and each group visited each zone for 30mins.There was also a time of acoustic worship led by Claire Parry from a 360° stage, a short talk from Andy Poultney, a time of communion and over 350 sausages in baguettes served! The best thing about Solid Remix is seeing so many young people all in one place, worshipping God through many different activities – the potential for over 350 young people’s lives to be touched by God – who knows where that could lead!

Big congratulations to Jon and Vicky Keel (Andy’s brother and sister-in-law) who are expecting...twins! Andy is very excited to be an uncle even though they’re due on the 20th June, the day before his 21st birthday!