Author: buvlogin

Flourishing Spirituality Devotion Part 1

Posted on by buvlogin

 

Part 1: Flourishing Spirituality At the Centre

by Rev Daniel Bullock

 

The vision of the BUV Support Hub is to be a Union of flourishing churches with Christlike followers that redeems society. At last year’s October Members’ Dinner, I outlined the Flourishing Church Framework that our BUV Support Hub staff had developed which was to be a major focus during 2020, in our effort to support churches to flourish. The framework looks at 3 focus areas of church life – congregational life, congregational character and congregational mission. Within each focus area we have identified 4 aspects that may contribute to a flourishing church: 12 in total.

 

Importantly, I hope you have noticed that at the core of our Flourishing Church Framework is the word spirituality. Our spirituality is intrinsically linked to our thriving as human beings and as communities of faith, a flourishing that is deeper than merely being successful.

The word spirituality has become increasingly common and is often spoken about in our society in a way that is detached from traditional religious beliefs. But when we talk about spirituality in the context of Christian faith and community, we are primarily referring to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and imitating his values and ways. We are referring to living under the influence of God’s Spirit. Christian spirituality includes practices or rhythms such as worship, meditation, prayer, and solitude among others. Such practices help foster and shape our spirituality, influencing the pursuit of a life shaped by a sense of meaning, purpose, values and wholeness.

In Christian spirituality we find a constant call to open our lives to God in order to experience personal and communal transformation. In addition, our spirituality compels us to continue the mission of Jesus to transform the world and build or advance the Kingdom of God.

Growth in our Christian spirituality requires a deep connection with God through a restored and growing relationship through Jesus Christ. This connection is much more than a once-off event that occurs at conversion, but is a lifetime of abiding in Christ and journeying with God in our everyday. In that sense, to flourish in our spirituality we need to continuously open our lives up to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and in a sense practice spirituality (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16).

Over the next 8 weeks, members of the BUV Support Hub Staff, along with contributors from Whitley College, will provide a weekly devotion and reflection questions based on practices/rhythms of spirituality that are intended to help you and your church flourish.

These devotions come to you with our hope that they will bless and enrich you. Can I also encourage you to share the series with your church leadership and community as we consider and reflect on how to flourish as the church of Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

  1. Reflect on Galatians 5:16 and Ephesians 5:18. What do you think it means to be continuously filled with the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit?

  2. Often when I am seeking intimacy with God and in need of some contemplative time, I find a quiet place to sit in my garden or park, or I walk in nature. I find these contexts conducive to connecting with God. Do you have a special place or ritual that helps you connect to God? If not, can you think of a space that may help you in this?

  3. Reflect on your daily, monthly and annual spiritual rhythms . Are these rhythms still serving you in relation to nurturing your intimacy with God? Or is there a need to adjust your rhythms?

  4. What is the predominant nature of your prayer? Is it purely intercession or do you make time for silence, worship, and confession?

  5. What is one obtainable spiritual rhythm/practice you believe God would like you to pursue for the remainder of the year? 

 

God Bless,
Daniel

BUV COVID-19 Advice (Aug)

Posted on by buvlogin

Update 12/08/20 3.30pm

Click on links below for the latest BUV advice:

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 FAQs

Metropolitan Melbourne – Translated Stakeholders Pack

Regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire – Stage 3 Restrictions

Regional Victoria – Stage 3 FAQs

Regional Victoria – Translated Stakeholders Pack

Additional Business Support

 

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions
(From 2 August 2020)

PLACES OF WORSHIP (Source: DHHS)

Summary : 

  • PLACES OF WORSHIP ARE CLOSED FOR SERVICES AND ON SITE WORK (Source: Guide for businesses – below)
     
  • EXEMPTIONS for pre-recording or live broadcasting services ( max 5 people including volunteers on site ) or foodbanks and community services
     
  • CHURCH OFFICES MUST CLOSE – This means that all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc. Excessive fines apply (see below) for individuals and employers.  Even if your manse is next door to the church, you cannot work in the church office
     
  • WEDDINGS are not allowed during the next 6 weeks unless for compassionate reasons (Source Births, Deaths and Marriages) (Source DHHS Stay at home Direction Page 14-15)
     
  • FUNERALS are allowed but only for 10 people (Source DHHS Stay at home Direction Page 15)
     
  • WORKER PERMITS – If staff (paid or volunteers) are attending the church for work (only for reasons above) the Church (employer) MUST issue a WORKER PERMIT  – this is the employers responsibility and must be carried at all times by the employee – excessive fines exist  (see below)
     
  • FACE COVERINGS ETC – Face coverings, one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all time.  Includes musicians but not singers or speakers (see Face Coverings section below for exemptions)
     
  • COVIDSafe PLANS ESSENTIAL – All workplaces that remain open (Churches who are prerecording services, live broadcasting or operating foodbanks) must complete a COVIDsafe plan by 11:59pm on Friday 7th August   – excessive fines apply if you do not comply (see below)
     
  • 8pm CURFEW  – Please ensure you adhere to the 8pm curfew – although recording of church services could be seen as work, the BUV advises that all services should conclude by 7:30pm to allow for workers to be at home by 8pm.
     
  • NO CHURCH MAINTENANCE – For the next 6 weeks, only emergency safety maintenance will be allowed – mowing lawns, basic church upkeep etc cannot be undertaken.  
     
  • RECORD KEEPING – Permitted workplace such as Places of Worship or Community Facilities must keep a record of each person (staff, volunteer, contractors) who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes. See below for more information.

Permitted Worker Scheme (Source: DHHS) (Source: Justice Victoria)
From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff (paid or volunteers) to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers, and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work. 

Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace. A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device.

COVID Safe Plan (Source: Business Victoria)
Every workplace must have a COVID Safe Plan to help protect its staff, customers and visitors and to prepare for a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace. Under the Stage 4 restrictions, workplaces that remain open must complete their COVID Safe plan by 11.59pm on 7 August 2020.

  • have a COVID Safe Plan in place that is regularly updated (unless you are a small business with fewer than 5 employees)
  • ensure that any workers that can work from home are able to do so
  • collect records of all workers, subcontractors, customers and clients attending the work premises for 15 minutes or longer (certain exemptions will apply)
  • one worker per four square metres of enclosed workspace or in shared areas
  • unless an exemption applies, ensure that workers do not work across multiple sites, or for multiple employers
  • ensure that workers are in good health – workers cannot work if they are unwell and employers must not require workers with symptoms to work
  • if your worker is unwell, send them home and direct them to be tested. They must stay home until they have their result
  • report any positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) to DHHS, Worksafe, Health and Safety Representatives, and notify your workforce
  • regularly clean your facilities, shared spaces and provide additional cleaning supplies – Paid cleaners are allowed for the purpose of cleaning after a recording and ensuring a safe workplace.
  • undertake risk assessments for cleaning and the potential closure of your workplace in certain situations

Record keeping requirements (Source: DHHS)
To support contact tracing, some businesses, workplaces and premises must request that each person who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes (including staff) provide:

  • First name
  • Phone number.

Businesses must keep a record of those details, and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Where the patrons spend most of their time in a single space (i.e. a dining room, or a cinema), a record of the space used should also be kept. There is no need to keep multiple records if patrons move through multiple spaces. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. Records should be kept for 28 days.

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

The record keeping requirement applies to all persons attending a facility or venue for longer than 15 minutes, which may include staff, customers, maintenance and delivery workers. 
 

(Source: DHHS) 
(Source: Business Victoria)
(Source: Justice Victoria)

 

Guide for business – stage 4 restrictions

Download the Permitted worker permit (Word)

Download Attendance Register

COVID Safe Plan

COVIDSafe Plan template example – Rowville Baptist Church

Curfew and Face Covering (Source: DHHS)
From 2 August, a curfew will be in place in metropolitan Melbourne. Curfews will be in operation from 8pm to 5am every evening, with people only allowed to leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.

From 5am – 8pm, you can only leave your home for one of the following four reasons:

  • Necessary goods and services
  • Exercise
  • Care and health care
  • Work/ Emergency

(Source and Definition of 4 reasons: DHHS)

Stay within 5km from home for shopping and exercise.  Use the map on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website to see how far you are allowed to travel from your home under the stage 4 restrictions.

All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. There are a number of lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering including “Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting.”

Please also ensure one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times. 

More information:

 
Regional Victoria including Mitchell Shire – Stage 3 Restrictions
(From 5th August 2020)

From 11:59pm on 5 August, stage 3 restrictions apply throughout regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire. There are four reasons that you can leave home: 

  • Shopping for food or other essential items 
  • To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment 
  • For exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person or members of your household)
  • Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home.

Otherwise, you must stay home. When you leave home you must wear a mask or face covering. 
You may no longer have visitors to your home or visit other people in their homes.

PLACES OF WORSHIP 
Places of religion and worship must close for both religious ceremonies and private worship. Exceptions are:

  • Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online. Those who are necessary to conduct the ceremony may be on site to record and live stream services, however this is limited to a maximum of five (5) people including volunteers on site. You should ensure those people wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between each other at all times – See face coverings section above or below for exemptions.
     
  • Essential public support services such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities allowed – Limit up to 20 people per indoor space (or 1 person per 4sqm rule), ensuring face coverings are worn and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times.
     
  • RECORD KEEPING – Places of Worship or Community Facilities must keep a record of each person (staff, volunteer, contractors) who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes. See below for more information.
     
  • If you can work from home, you must  – all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc. 
     
  • Weddings limited to five people – the couple, two witnesses and the celebrant
     
  • Funerals limited to 10 mourners plus those required to conduct the funeral
     
  • A wedding or funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household, plus the people required to conduct the ceremony

(Source and Definition: DHHS)

Please also ensure one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times. 

(Source: DHHS)

Record keeping requirements (Source: DHHS)
To support contact tracing, some businesses, workplaces and premises must request that each person who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes (including staff) provide:

  • First name
  • Phone number.

Businesses must keep a record of those details, and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Where the patrons spend most of their time in a single space (i.e. a dining room, or a cinema), a record of the space used should also be kept. There is no need to keep multiple records if patrons move through multiple spaces. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. Records should be kept for 28 days.

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

The record keeping requirement applies to all persons attending a facility or venue for longer than 15 minutes, which may include staff, customers, maintenance and delivery workers. 

Face Coverings (Source: DHHS)
 All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. There are a number of lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering including “Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting.”

More information:

 

Additional Business Support

Business Support Fund
To support businesses impacted by these restrictions, one-off grants will be made available to eligible businesses under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program:

  • $10,000 for employing businesses in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in recognition of spending longer under restrictions
  • $5,000 for employing businesses in regional local government areas (except Mitchell Shire)

Businesses which have already received a Business Support Fund – Expansion grant, or have applied for one, will not need to re-apply. Successful applicants will automatically receive this additional allocation. Applications for the program will be extended until 14 September 2020.

(Source: Business Victoria)

More information or to Apply

Let’s Stay Connected Fund
The Victorian Government is helping communities to stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond with the Let’s Stay Connected Fund. The fund provides grants between $5,000 and $200,000 to support community-led initiatives.

Applications will be considered from Victorian-based incorporated community organisations, LGA’s, incorporated not-for-profits and industry groups. Individuals and unincorporated associations are not eligible to apply. All applications must provide a current ABN number.

More information or to Apply

 

Update 3/8/20 8pm (Source: DHHS)

Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions
(From 2 August – 16 August)

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the following today :

  • From 6pm  on 2nd August, Victoria entered a State of Disaster.  This will give the police additional powers to make sure people are complying with public health directions
  • From 6pm on 2nd August, Melbourne also moved to Stage 4 restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people – and limit the spread of this virus across our city.
  • This includes a curfew – from 8pm to 5am – beginning tonight. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
  • Where you slept last night is where you’ll need to stay for the next six weeks. There’ll be exemptions for partners who live apart and for work, if required.
  • The Night Network will be suspended, and public transport services will be reduced during curfew hours. This will also allow us to redeploy more of our PSOs into our enforcement efforts.
  • New time, distance and gathering limits will also apply for exercise and shopping.
  • Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two – you and one other person – whether you live with them or not.
  • Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day. Again, the five-kilometre rule will apply.
  • Face coverings / masks continue to be compulsory right across Victoria 

See Premier’s Statement here  – Melbourne 

 

Regional Victoria – Stage 3 Restrictions
(From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August)
 
  • From 11:59pm on Wednesday, regional Victoria will return to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions.
  • That means there’ll again only be four reasons to be out:  shopping for food and essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise, work and study – if you can’t do it from home.
  • Otherwise, you need to stay home.
  • Businesses in regional Victoria will also return to Stage 3 restrictions.
  • That means restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway.
  • Beauty and personal services will need to close.
  • Entertainment and cultural venues will need to close.
  • Community sport will need to stop.

See Premier’s Statement here – Regional Victoria 

Responding to the bushfires

Posted on by buvlogin

Australia is in the midst of a devastating and unprecedented bushfire season. This comes at a time when much of our country is in drought and a hot summer.  Over 10 million hectares has been burnt, lives have been lost, communities, livestock and native animals destroyed. If you’ve been thinking about what you can do to help those affected by the Bushfires – here are some ways:

Pray

NSW & ACT Baptists Prayer Coordinator, Carolyn Altman has written a prayer for the Australian Bushfire Crisis –  Prayer for Australian Bushfire Crisis_January 2020.

With thanks to Dr Byron Smith, Common Grace is offering this prayer for use or adaptation in your devotions and church worship – Prayer for Bushfires

Give

Donating money is one of the best ways to help those affected by the fires. BUV is working closely with our local churches to help communities affected by the bushfires. To give to the BUV Bushfire Appeal click here.

If you want to donate physical items, please only give items that charities have specifically asked for (otherwise they need to sort through the items, diverting their attention away from fire relief). NewHope Baptist Church is partnering with Foodbank Victoria and they will be a collection point over the next few weeks. Click here for more information.

Red Cross has also urged people to consider donating blood. If you’re eligible, you can do so here.

Support

Free Bibles
Bible Society Australia is supporting churches, chaplains and other local partners working in affected areas by replacing Bibles and providing Scripture resources alongside emergency needs. Get in touch here.

Be Fire Ready
A well prepared home is more likely to survive a bushfire or ember attack. Baptcare has provided some tips on preparations to be Fire Ready. Read more.

Personal Hardship Assistance Program
The Victorian Department of Health & Human Services, supported by the Housing Call Centre, have established a Personal Hardship Assistance Program (PHAP) hotline 1800 961 054 for those affected by the Eastern Victoria bushfires.

Victoria Emergency Financial Assistance
If you or someone you know has been directly impacted by the East Gippsland Fires or the North East Fires, please visit the Vic Emergency financial assistance page.

Red Cross Emergency Grant
An emergency grant of $5,000 is available if you’ve lost your home in a bushfire. Apply here.

Mental Health and Well-being
It is normal for a distressing or frightening event to affect you physically, mentally and emotionally. Look out for others and if you need help, seek help.
You might find talking to friends and family useful, or talk with your pastor. It may be a good idea to see a counsellor or psychologist to help you process your experience. Here are a list of community services organisations within the BUV that can help you:

https://www.crosswaylifecare.org.au/

https://www.newhopecare.net.au/counselling

https://www.karinyacounselling.com.au/

http://www.gileadcounselling.org.au/

https://mgacounselling.com.au/

https://frankstonbaptistchurch.com.au/

https://www.onecaregeelong.org.au/

http://millparkcommunitycare.org.au/

http://www.wellingtoncarecentre.com.au/

You can also contact:

  • your doctor or local community health centre
  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • Parentline, Phone: 13 22 89
  • Kids Helpline, Phone: 1800 55 1800
  • NURSE-ON-CALL Phone: 1300 60 60 24 for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
  • Australian Psychological Society Referral Service, Phone: 1800 333 497

Call 000 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

Mainly Music has developed some useful resources to help children experiencing trauma. If your church would like these resources, please email Allison at auadmin@mainlymusic.org

Prayer for Bushfires by Common Grace

Posted on by buvlogin

With thanks to Dr Byron Smith and Common Grace for offering this prayer for use or adaptation in your devotions and church worship.

Beauty

Creator of life, this beautiful land cries out.

For the disfigured splendour of charred forests, blackened soil, ashen skies, we grieve.

For the hundreds of millions of creatures that perished in smoke and flame, for the millions more who emerge after the inferno to starvation or predation, for the twisted, frayed and torn strands of ecosystems that may never recover, we mourn.

For sacred sites incinerated we lament.

For smoke-filled lungs, dread-filled hours, anxiety-filled evacuations,

for ruined livelihoods, broken communities, smouldering homes,

for bereaved families, inflicted trauma, gutted dreams, we weep.

     Lord have mercy.

    Lord have mercy.

Generosity

Jesus our brother, all generosity echoes your own.

For the dangerous labour of firefighters, for the kindness of strangers, for neighbourly bonds reforged in calamity, we offer thanks.

For sandwiches made, shelter provided, funds donated, we are grateful.

For accurate reporting, insightful forecasts, skilful logistics, we acknowledge our debt.

    Christ have mercy.

   Christ have mercy.

Justice

Spirit of truth, your justice flows like water onto parched soil.

For too long, our notions of prosperity have been dominated by theft, destruction and fire: stolen land, poisoned rivers, dirty fuels. May we rediscover true wealth in mutual trust and care, in treasured stories and places, in clean water and air.

May justice fall like rain, pouring like grace on the tongues of the poor, settling like ash in the mouths of those who profit from lies.

Let ancient wisdom be respected, careful science heeded, the worship of money rejected.

May we truthfully embrace our full history, honestly acknowledge our present crises, humbly nurture a shared future.

    Lord have mercy.

   Lord have mercy.

Written by Dr Byron Smith
Posted on Common Grace on 7th January 2020

A novel way to express solidarity and gratitude to firefighters

Posted on by buvlogin

A group from Brunswick Baptist Church have found a novel way to express solidarity and gratitude to the firefighters working to protect life and land across Australia. 

On Friday, as fire danger triggered the largest peacetime evacuation efforts in Australia’s history, the group decorated the poles out the front of the church with hard hats and reflective strips resembling CFA volunteers. 

A passerby expressed thanks to a church member finishing a pole, “we just came from East Gippsland yesterday.”

Church member, Beryl Turner said, “the display was a symbol to our firefighters to let them know we are continuing to think of them and pray for them. 

The poles generate a huge amount of interest from passers by, and whenever we work on them people always stop to talk about them, thank to the church, share their thoughts on the topic. The poles stand on the boundary between the church and the street in more ways than one! 

The group, who organise through a Whatsapp chat affectionately labeled “Yarn Over Yarn”, have in recent years taken to decorating the poles that stand at the front of the church on busy Sydney Road. Recent decorations have included a nativity scene during Advent and the colours of the Aboriginal flag to mark NAIDOC week. 

BUV Director of Mission and Ministries, Daniel Bullock has this past week called upon Baptist congregations and their members to donate generously to bushfire relief. 

Article written by Adrian Jackson.

Give to Bushfire Appeal 2020

Carols in the Park – North Balwyn Interchurch Event

Posted on by buvlogin

It was a balmy summers evening at the gathering of the CAROLS IN THE PARK community event on December 14th 2019. The crowd slowly built up and by the end of the night was estimated to be about 6000 people. This was an amazing number when you consider that this represents about one third of the number of residents who live in North Balwyn! The carols committee, a sub group of the North Balwyn Interchurch Council, had a vision to lift the name of Jesus in their community.

NBBC

North Balwyn Baptist Church has, for several decades, been the driving force behind this outreach program. As part of the set up on the day there were tents with food, face painting, a prayer tent, a charity tent, an outreach book tent and much more.

NBBC

The program included soloists, choirs, a nativity scene procession, prayers, Bible readings and a short gospel message by Rev. Graeme Prentice of North Balwyn Baptist Church. The night ended with a fireworks display. There was a fantastic community feel as families of all ages and nationalities mingled, played, sang and worshipped Jesus together.

NBBC
NBBC

Some of the highlights included:

  1. The beautiful cooperation and support of the local Churches in finances, volunteers, comradery, unity and love in Christ. Six different denominations were involved.
  2. 6000 people represents the biggest crowd in the history of the event.
  3. The content and atmosphere was design to trumpet the name of Jesus.
  4. There is no other event throughout the year that brings together so many people from so many walks of life in such a safe and loving environment.
  5. This year included items from a local Mandarin Church and was indicative of the growing multi cultural nature of the event.
  6. The outreach book tent reported many wonderful gospel conversations with people from the crowd.

We are so grateful for those who sponsored the event. There was a time early on in the planning that we felt that we may have to cancel for this year. It has grown so much over the years that the burden of planning on a small volunteer group was getting too much. But thanks to the sponsors and renewed support of the local Churches we were able to employ an event planner that made it possible to proceed. We praise God for his provision and for the 1000’s gathered to celebrate the birth of our saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Written by:
Frank Rosenfeldt (Sec.) and Graeme Prentice (Pres.)
North Balwyn Baptist Church

Point Cook’s Carols by Sunlight

Posted on by buvlogin

On Sunday the 8th December 2019, with the support of the Baptist Union of Victoria, Point Cook Community Baptist Church held ‘Carols by Sunlight’ a 100% free Christmas outreach event for our local community. 

The project team, (made up of volunteers from our congregation) spent many hours of their valuable time in planning for the lead up to ‘Carols by Sunlight.’  With more Church volunteers helping out with the event on the day. 

Carols by Sunlight was publicised with a letterbox drop to over 1200 homes in our local community.  Flyers were also left at a local coffee shop for distribution to their customers.  The event was also advertised on our website and in a local news magazine.

The gates opened for ‘Carols by Sunlight’ at 11.30.  As families arrived each child was given a showbag containing some yummies to eat, a Christmas comic book and a toy.  Outside the ‘three-in-one’ jumping castle was a huge hit for the kids, while the coffee van was a hit for the adults.  And everyone was also able to enjoy a sausage or two.

Coffee Van

Jumping Castle

Inside the venue there were more fun activities. Crafts tables were set up with families sitting around them making Christmas decorations together.  A dress up photo booth was set up where families could dress up as Mary, Joseph, Wisemen, Shepherds or angels.  The highlight inside for kids (and adults) was the face painter and balloon twister.

Crafts

Face Painting

The activities wrapped up at 1.30, and all present were invited to stay for our carols service, which included a Christmas play ‘The Three Trees’ put on by members of our congregation.

It was such a blessing to see so many people, from all walks of life, from within our local community come through the gates and have a good time with all the activities.  And with a number of them staying for the service too, praise God. 

The highlight for me was a comment made by one man after the service, he said that he hadn’t been in a Church for over 17 years, and he had been distant from God since his Grandfather had passed.  He shared with me how he and his family enjoyed the event, but more importantly he shared how he felt God had touched his heart.

Written by:
David van Wynen
Pastor, Point Cook Community Baptist Church

Koondrook-Barham Baptist Church’s Carols By Candlelight

Posted on by buvlogin

On Christmas Eve 2019 the Koondrook-Barham Baptist Church joined with the local Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches to present Carols by Candlelight at Riverside Park, Barham.

Choir preparing to sing

On the night the Lions Club had a community festival which we joined and when the festival ended we began the carol singing. We give thanks to God for the blessing of a balmy night which encouraged all ages to stay for the event. The young children participated by making decorations for the Christmas tree.

Making decorations for the Christmas tree

They were given a Christmas book supplied by the Bible Society. We handed out carol books and safe flame candles thanks to the generous donation by the BUV. The Combined Churches choir encouraged everyone to sing along.

Bernard Blumel, pastor of the Baptist Church welcomed everyone. Scripture readings and prayers were presented by the Anglican and Uniting Churches and a message of hope was delivered by Father Stan from the Catholic Church. At the end of the night the Lions Club conveyed their thanks to the Churches for the great community event and invited us to join them Christmas Eve 2020.

CHristmas tree decorated by children

Written by:
Bernard Blumel
Minister of Koondrook-Barham Baptist Church

Carols @ Convention

Posted on by buvlogin

The Carols @ Convention community event for 2019 was a great success which saw 550 people from the local community coming together to celebrate the Christmas season.

Belgrave Carols

The event was hosted by Belgrave South Baptist Church and Hope in the Hills Community Church at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre on Saturday December 14th on a perfect summer’s night. With a family fun time in the late afternoon there were jumping castles, animal petting zoo, face painting, fairy floss, a bbq put on by the local CFA and other ‘fun’ things were put on for people of all ages. This was followed by an evening of carols singing which included musical items by local schools (incredibly talented!!!), drama and a brief talk on the hope that is found in the Christmas story.

One of the many highlights was when the SES and local CFA workers were welcomed onto the stage and thanked for their work in the community. Not only were they moved but also ‘blown away’ by the financial gift that was given to them in support of their work. 

Belgrave Carols

You could not help but be encouraged on the night to see such a large gathering of community people who were having a great time, seeing the local churches working together and also being able to share the Christmas story in a welcoming way.

We were fortunate to have the support of the BUV and are so grateful it was given in such a generous way through the community engagement grant.  On behalf of all those involved in the planning and running of the event I want to extend my sincere thanks to the BUV for its support of our community event.

Tim Dyer
Belgrave South Baptist Lead Pastor