THE MESSENGER - Baptist Union of Wales€¦ · Thou art fuller than the world; Than all the...

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THE MESSENGER EASTER 2018 EDITION 9 BUW Team to visit Nepal On April 9 th , the team pictured will travel to Nepal on behalf of the Baptist Union of Wales to see BMS World Missions work there. In the back row (left to right): Mark Thomas from Gwent Association; Susan Wilson, Julie Prince, both from Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire Association; Gillian Davies, from Caerfyrddin and Ceredigion Association; Sandra Llewelyn from Pembrokeshire (Welsh) Association; and in the front row is Sharon Beedell from East Glamorgan Association; The Revd Haydn Davies from Gwent Association; and Llinos Penfold, Pembrokeshire (Welsh) Association. After arriving in Nepal, the team will spend four nights in the capital city Kathmandu and visit the KISC International School and the Nepal Baptist Bible College. Then they will head on to Pokhara to see various health ministries and visit Nepali churches. Megan Barker, BMS mission worker, whose pioneering work in physiotherapy which featured in the My Fathers House film a few years ago will be the teams guide in Nepal. The main purpose of the mission trip is to learn more about the work of BMS, pray for the mission and support the mission workers and Nepali church. Y Llwyfan: Letter of thanks from Ghana Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Baptist Union of Wales, The Christian Aid office in Ghana wishes to express our profound appreciation to you and the entire membership for your generous support to improving maternal health care in Ghana. The financial support was used to add up to the EU funding to help improve the provision of quality healthcare for pregnant mothers and their new-born babies. Your contribution enabled Christian Aid and its partners to train more women on good practices related to pregnancies and childcare. The funds were also channelled into the provision of medical equipment for hospital facilities to enable them deliver quality health care. We also recognise that, government has a responsibility of ensuring that, health facilities are properly resourced with equipment, professional staff and the necessary items to enable them deliver appropriate health care. In view of that, the project successfully engaged the government to construct new primary health care facilities, posted staff to places which did not have nurses and doctors and others. As a result of your generous contribution, 80% of women reached through the project were attended to by skilled and professional nurses during their ante natal period. In Nadowli, a district in the Upper West Region of Ghana, 98% of the women had their babies delivered at the health facilities. This has contributed to a significant reduction in the deaths of mothers and new babies. These and many more have been possible because of your generous support and we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all. It is the prayer of the Country Office and the beneficiaries that God will bless each and every one who has given their money, time and prayers to the successful implementation of the project. Yours faithfully, Gifty Appiah Country Manager, Christian Aid Ghana Easter Greetings from Judith, Menna, Simeon, Nigel, Menna Machreth, Christian, Bonni and Helen. What does Easter mean to you? You can read about its significance for some of our members on page 2. We also rejoice that many have felt Gods call to Ministry and you can meet them on page 3. You will find on this page a letter of thanks from Ghana for the money received following the BUW & Christian Aid Appeal in aid of the maternal health project in Ghana. A year ago a cheque of £67,0767.73 was presented to the appeal. Since then an additional £6,205.21 was received from BUW churches. On page 4, you can read how that additional money has been used. Also on page 4 is a statement from Christian Aid in relation to sexual abuse in Haiti. Remember to join with us for our annual conferences (Page 4).

Transcript of THE MESSENGER - Baptist Union of Wales€¦ · Thou art fuller than the world; Than all the...

Page 1: THE MESSENGER - Baptist Union of Wales€¦ · Thou art fuller than the world; Than all the treasures of India.” Jean Daniels, ... Reverend Derek Rees. After some years of attending

THE MESSENGER EASTER 2018 EDITION 9

BUW Team to visit Nepal

On April 9th, the team pictured will travel to Nepal on behalf of the Baptist Union of Wales to see BMS World Mission’s work there. In the back row (left to right): Mark Thomas from Gwent Association; Susan Wilson, Julie Prince, both from Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire Association; Gillian Davies, from Caerfyrddin and Ceredigion Association; Sandra Llewelyn from Pembrokeshire (Welsh) Association; and in the front row is Sharon Beedell from East Glamorgan Association; The Revd Haydn Davies from Gwent Association; and Llinos Penfold, Pembrokeshire (Welsh) Association.

After arriving in Nepal, the team will spend four nights in the capital city Kathmandu and visit the KISC International School and the Nepal Baptist Bible College. Then they will head on to Pokhara to see various health ministries and visit Nepali churches. Megan Barker, BMS mission worker, whose pioneering work in physiotherapy which featured in the My Father’s House film a few years ago will be the team’s guide in Nepal. The main purpose of the mission trip is to learn more about the work of BMS, pray for the mission and support the mission workers and Nepali church.

Y Llwyfan:

Letter of thanks from Ghana Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Baptist Union of Wales, The Christian Aid office in Ghana wishes to express our profound appreciation to you and the entire membership for your generous support to improving maternal health care in Ghana. The financial support was used to add up to the EU funding to help improve the provision of quality healthcare for pregnant mothers and their new-born babies. Your contribution enabled Christian Aid and its partners to train more women on good practices related to pregnancies and childcare. The funds were also channelled into the provision of medical equipment for hospital facilities to enable them deliver quality health care. We also recognise that, government has a responsibility of ensuring that, health facilities are properly resourced with equipment, professional staff and the necessary items to enable them deliver appropriate health care. In view of that, the project successfully engaged the government to construct new primary

health care facilities, posted staff to places which did not have nurses and doctors and others. As a result of your generous contribution, 80% of women reached through the project were attended to by skilled and professional nurses during their ante natal period. In Nadowli, a district in the Upper West Region of Ghana, 98% of the women had their babies delivered at the health facilities. This has contributed to a significant reduction in the deaths of mothers and new babies. These and many more have been possible because of your generous support and we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all. It is the prayer of the Country Office and the beneficiaries that God will bless each and every one who has given their money, time and prayers to the successful implementation of the project. Yours faithfully, Gifty Appiah Country Manager, Christian Aid Ghana

Easter Greetings from

Judith, Menna, Simeon,

Nigel, Menna Machreth,

Christian, Bonni and

Helen.

What does Easter mean to you?

You can read about its

significance for some of our

members on page 2.

We also rejoice that many have

felt God’s call to Ministry and

you can meet them on page 3.

You will find on this page a

letter of thanks from Ghana for

the money received following the

BUW & Christian Aid Appeal in

aid of the maternal health

project in Ghana. A year ago a

cheque of £67,0767.73 was

presented to the appeal.

Since then an additional

£6,205.21 was received from

BUW churches. On page 4, you

can read how that additional

money has been used.

Also on page 4 is a statement

from Christian Aid in relation to

sexual abuse in Haiti.

Remember to join with us for

our annual conferences (Page 4).

Page 2: THE MESSENGER - Baptist Union of Wales€¦ · Thou art fuller than the world; Than all the treasures of India.” Jean Daniels, ... Reverend Derek Rees. After some years of attending

What does Easter mean to you? This is the question that we asked a number of our

members and here are their varied & honest answers! Janet Matthews, Church Secretary of

Penyrheol (Breconshire)

“Easter Day to Pentecost is the greatest season of the Church's year. Celebrating Easter at Penyrheol is one of the highlights of the year for me, especially the wild daffodils, making an Easter garden and an egg hunt with the children, especially my granddaughters”.

Alun Thomas, a member at Bethel Holyhead who is studying for his PhD at

Trinity College Dublin

"Easter is the clearest expression of God’s character. It demonstrates the enormity of His faithfulness towards his people and his creation, and proclaims victory over death, sin and the world. "

Lowri Ann Jones, a member at Caersalem Caernarfon

“The best thing about Easter for me when I was a child was to see the row of Easter eggs on top of the kitchen cupboard growing! Now, what I enjoy most about Easter is cele-brating the fact that Christ is alive today with friends at the ‘Llanw ‘Festival”.

David Evans, a member in Ebeneser Ammanford & Association Treasurer

“What Easter means to me is that Jesus has risen from the grave, and this is a joy to me, that my Saviour is alive and looks after me, and every other Christian.

Jesus, Jesus, thou art sufficient, Thou art fuller than the world; More treasures are in thy name

Than all the treasures of India.”

Jean Daniels, member in Tabor Dinas & Welsh Sisterhood President

“On Easter Sunday it is lovely to be able to attend our group of churches’ Singing Festival to celebrate the joy of the resurrection. I have done this for many years now and it is good to be able to sing with conviction, "Our Christ of Easter is still alive."

Mike Hedges AM, a member at Seion Newydd Morriston &East Swansea AM

“Easter is the most important Christian festival and the resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Jesus. Practically it means the silent march of witness on Good Friday and gymanfa ganu.”

“Easter is a period of relaxation in the company of family and friends. Of greater importance however is the opportunity to remember Christs’s sacrifice for us and I will enjoy reflecting on this during services on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday in the Tabernacle, Cardiff. “

Rhodri ab Owen, a member at Tabernacl Cardiff and on the staff of Positif Politics Derek Simms, Welshpool Church

Secretary (Rads & Monts)

“For me, Easter is a time of personal reflection and celebration - God’s plan has come to fruition through the passion, sacrifice and ultimate victory of his Son, Jesus Christ. Our sin has been absolved, death has been defeated and our relationship with God, the Father, restored. Hallelujah!”

Sylvia Ware, Moriah Risca (Gwent) Church Secretary

Easter is a special time - a time to remember what being a Christian is all about! It’s not just Easter eggs! For me, it’s a time to celebrate what Jesus did for me and to show His love to others - not just in our church family but within the wider community. Easter is a time to remember Jesus; a time to celebrate forgiveness; a time to share His love; and a time to rejoice in our salvation.

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Come and meet our Candidates for Ministry

Sian Elin Thomas

I’m a North Pembrokeshire girl! Whilst I'm very proud of my Crymych roots, my mother was a Cardi and a native of Ferwig, near Cardigan where I was baptised and married at Siloam Chapel. I received my secondary education at Ysgol y Preseli before moving to Pembrokeshire College to study performing arts. Currently I am working at Ysgol y Frenni as a Classroom Assistant. I'm a member at Seion Chapel in Crymych under the ministry of the Reverend Rhosier Morgan, who has been a great support and blessing to me as I start preparing for this new path in my life. I'm married to Dylan and we have two sons, Iwan and Steffan, and I am glad to say that they have been very supportive of my call to ministry. Our faith has always been important to us, and we are trying to raise the boys with the same principles as the two of us. The call I have received has been long-term which I have been discerning for several years. Since sharing this news with family and church members, I have had only support and encouragement. I'm not sure yet what the future holds, but I know that there is a close friend leading me, who is Jesus Christ. I'm full of confident faith that the future is exciting, as long as I put my faith in Him.

Nicola Thomas-Bizjak

I grew up in the Bridgend area and came to faith through a life-changing encounter with the living Lord at eleven years of age.

Since that time, I have had a deep desire to serve God and others within the local church and community. I have had a variety of jobs: served as a waitress, worked in finance and

Deborah Stammers

I am a ministerial student in my first year of training at South Wales Baptist College. I am a ‘child of the manse’, and both my parents still serve as Methodist ministers (currently in the Neath Port Talbot Methodist Circuit). Because of their jobs, I grew up moving around, but spent my childhood mainly in the East Midlands. After university I did a gap year with Wycliffe Bible Translators, where I met my husband Jon, a native of Bangor, and we both travelled to Senegal, West Africa. It was because of Jon’s connection with Bangor that I came to Wales in 2004, and we have stayed in the area ever since, living in Bethesda and attending Penrallt Baptist Church. Since that time we have had two children, Bethan (8) and Ioan (5), and I have worked for ten years as a social worker in Gwynedd and Ynys Môn. I have very much enjoyed learning Welsh and have recently begun preaching in Welsh, which was a challenge, but a joyful one! I have a passion for ministering at the point of contact between Welsh and English speaking communities, and am excited to see what God has in store for our future ministry as a family.

led sales teams (to name a few). I trained as a teacher and midwife, too! Each experience has shaped my understanding of human need and my desire to help others.

I was called to train for full-time ministry in 2014 and began my studies at South Wales Baptist College in the autumn of 2015. I am grateful to the BUW for the opportunity to engage in theological formation for Baptist Ministry. The last three years have been a rich, challenging, transformational journey. I have been challenged to think about my understanding of Scripture, doctrine, ethics, Christian spirituality and much more!

I have also learned about my Baptist roots. The stories of our forbears, like John Myles, who gathered people into communities which were focused on service to Christ excite me! I am looking forward to ministry and community life in Wales.

Tomos Roberts-Young

Although originally from Aberystwyth, I have lived in Swansea since 2010, when I studied law at the University. During my time there, I started to reattend chapel and worshipped at Capel Gomer, under the Ministry of the Reverend Derek Rees. After some years of attending Church and with the help of DAWN, the West Glamorgan Baptist Association and many individuals who helped me financially through GoFundMe page, I began a year of training, with Calfaria, Skewen. As well as an opportunity to lead there, I attended lectures with the Reverend Cecil Jenkins and the Reverend Evan George in the South, as well as with the Reverend Euros Wyn Jones, via Skype, in the North. Following this, and with the support of the Baptist Union of Wales, I have been attending the Baptist College, in Cardiff, to study for a degree in theology (BTh). I'm very grateful to the College for a high standard of teaching and for lecturers who are prepared to share in fellowship on a weekly basis. The Baptist College is thorough in its teaching and have prepared me for, what I hope, will be Ministry in West Glamorgan Baptist Association. In addition to Ministry in Wales, I'm also looking to undertake further study.

Corey Hampton

My name is Corey Hampton, and I am twenty-five years old. I am originally from a small town in Tennessee (U.S.A), but I have lived in Wales since 2013, and am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn Welsh. My wife, Catrin, and I live in Caernarfon and are members in Caersalem.

I became a Christian when I was seventeen

Continued on page 4

Page 4: THE MESSENGER - Baptist Union of Wales€¦ · Thou art fuller than the world; Than all the treasures of India.” Jean Daniels, ... Reverend Derek Rees. After some years of attending

Christian Aid Statement on the Sexual Abuse in Haiti

19 February 2018 Dear Friends, You will be aware of the facts published over the past week or so relating to the issue of sexual abuse in Oxfam’s programme in Haiti and the wider safeguarding risks this has highlighted in all international aid agencies. I’m sure that I’m not alone in feeling dismayed as news reports have unfolded. The accounts of a group of individuals who have betrayed the trust of the people they seek to serve in Haiti reveal behaviour that is inexcusable. Their actions have undermined the life-saving work carried out by Oxfam and all aid and humanitarian organisations, including our own. You may have also heard Christian Aid’s name mentioned in news reports. Last week, The Sunday Times asked our media team to inform them of any reported sexual misconduct amongst Christian Aid staff in the past year. We told them that two staff members, nationals overseas, had been found in breach of our strict code of conduct. These incidents were not in Haiti. Neither individual had acted criminally nor had their misconduct been directed towards anyone who is supported by Christian Aid. In both cases we took swift action and investigated which led to a dismissal in one instance, and a full report to the Charity Commission. Please see our website for a more detailed public statement: https://mediacentre.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-statement-on-sexual-harassment-claims-in-the-sector/ Please be reassured that Christian Aid takes safeguarding incredibly seriously. We recognise our duty to protect and safeguard vulnerable communities. We believe that any abuse of power, including sexual violence or harassment, is totally unacceptable. We will always investigate allegations and report safeguarding breaches to the relevant authorities, including the Charity Commission. As a sector, we need to be willing to recognise that this is an issue that affects us all. We will continue to work with staff and our local partners to root out any attitudes and behaviours that support such breaches of trust. There is no excuse for hiding abuse or failing to act when vulnerable people or staff are put at risk. Christian Aid has been working in Haiti through our local partners since the 1980s. We support people to earn a living, and prepare and respond to disasters. Poor communities find it hard to cope with the effects of natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. We cannot turn our backs on them now. Our partners’ work in Haiti has saved thousands of lives and helped build hundreds of houses for people affected by disasters. But there is still much more to be done. Currently, there are around 38,000 people still living in tents in Haiti, and according to the United Nations in Haiti there are still around 2 million people in need of humanitarian support. This Christian Aid

Week, 13-19 May 2018, we’re asking you to help support displaced people in Haiti, and elsewhere, so they can live in safety and withstand the storms of life. Please continue to remember Christian Aid and our staff in your prayers. We, as a faith-based organisation, are firmly committed to protecting the most vulnerable and upholding the dignity of the individual person. Please pray that the God will guide and strengthen Christian Aid, for the sake of those we seek to serve in the world’s poorest countries.

With every blessing, David Pain Director of Supporter and Community Partnerships

REMEMBER TO JOIN

WITH US AT THE

BAPTIST UNION OF

WALES ANNUAL

CONFERENCES

Momentum

will be held at the

Halliwell Theatre

Carmarthen

22-23 June 2018

The Annual Meetings of

the Welsh Language Wing

will be held at Nant

Gwrtheyrn on

10 -13 June 2018

More details from

Y Llwyfan!

years old, after a Christian friend invested in me spiritually for a couple of years. I was deeply attracted to his Christian faith because I could see the impact that it made in ordinary peoples’ lives, as it freed them to be more loving, particularly towards those who I had seen marginalised by much of the religion that I had experienced in my life up to that point.

I love, and am constantly challenged by, Jesus and his message in the Gospels. And I’m deeply challenged by the call on the Church to be his body in the world.

My hopes for the future are to be a part of, and provide leadership in, a church community that seeks to emulate Jesus, to be his body, in the context of twenty-first century Wales.

Corey Hampton

Continued from page 3

Further donations were received amounting to £6,205.21 for the Christian Aid Ghana Appeal. As the maternal healthcare project had closed it was agreed that the money be directed to a community project in Ghana. The purpose of this project is to promote and create jobs whilst increasing sustainable economic activity for young people. This project also received match finding from the European Union.

Ghana Appeal: Additional Donations

Happy Easter to

all The Messenger

readers

General Data Protection

Regulations

On 25 May 2018 new the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) come into force across Europe. These regulations are designed to ensure that organisations, including churches, protect individuals against the improper use of their personal information. If a church holds personal data it is legally required to comply with the GDPR in relation to the collection, recording, use and storage of that Data. The Baptist Union of Wales is currently in the process of preparing guidelines for churches and will be working closely with other denominations to organise local information and training sessions for associations and church officers. In addition, the Baptist Union of Great Britain has also published a useful guideline pamphlet, available on their website: www.baptist.org.uk/gdpr Dr Christian Williams will be coordinating the BUW response to GDPR and is happy to assist with any general enquires regarding responsibilities of churches. However, detailed questions and requests for information should be sent directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office via the details below: Dr Christian Williams, Baptist Union of Wales – [email protected] Information Commissioner’s Office, Wales - [email protected]