THE

MESSENGEROCTOBER 2015 worshipping, sharing, serving, caring :: Bethany Baptist Church

The Evergreens, that great bunch of ladies who meet every Tuesday, making new friends and enjoying each others’ company as they listen to guest speakers on a variety of fascinating subjects, have been getting out and about these past few weeks. They even had a boat trip on the River Severn with tea and musical entertainment. Full report and pictures inside . . .

BaptistWhat Church, just like Bethany Baptistsbeautiful baptistery pools I havebelieve seen. the power of Jesus, . but also. to. join with here in , is so named Steps lead down into the waters where him in being buried — in the water — simply for the way we practice the minister stands to receive the before quickly being raised to a new life Abaptism. Unlike other faiths it is candidate owning Jesus as Lord, aligning with his not babies who are baptised but young Baptising believers, by total own Resurrection on Easter Sunday. people and adults who can first profess a immersion, goes very much to the heart It was a practice made famous in faith and trust in Jesus Christ for of what we believe as Christians. We go Biblical times by John the Baptist, and themselves, writes Phil Dunning then affirmed by Jesus himself as he, down into the water, not just to be As we do not practice infant baptism, too, was baptised by John in the River symbolically cleansed from our sins in Bethany babies are “Dedicated to Jordan as our picture shows. Many God” — no water is involved. Churches today still use rivers and the I am excited this month sea in which to baptise. And in the because after a number of years, Holy Land baptisms are carried out we are having another believers’ daily in the Jordan by pilgrims. The baptismal service in Bethany at first Bethany members were baptised the end of October. in the River Taff. For those unfamiliar with It is not that we object to the prac- Bethany we don’t have a font as tice of the Christening (baptising in an Anglican or Catholic babies), but we believe and celebrate church. Instead, we have a deep that the baptism of “grown up” believ- baptismal pool, usually covered ers is far more authentic and in line up and hidden at the front of the with what we read in the New Church. Testament. In the past it has been open We also certainly would not dis- and visible all the time, with just courage those who were bap- a trickle of water as a tised as a baby in a different church symbolic and constant reminder then also coming for later believers of our historical Baptist faith. baptism with us. Of course, they gen- But then, although never in erally don’t remember what happened our 50-year history in Rhiwbina when they were so young. have there ever been any acci- Our Baptismal service will be at dents, the health and safety 10.30am on Sunday, October 25. authorities ruled that it should be Come along if you want to witness boarded up. It is a shame really what goes on and to find out more. because it is one of the most You would be most welcome.

1806-1964-2015 The first five members of Bethany were baptised in the Taff Cakes and cruises

hen the Evergreens decided to go out for tea they did not have far to go. Their first summer outing was just on the Wdoorstep when they took over the Caffe Fach, adjoining Bethany for a tea that turned out to be a sumptuous feast. The attentiveness of the owners and staff made for a memorable afternoon and members look forward to a return visit. Later, they ventured further afield — for a gentle river cruise along the Severn. They started out in Upton on Severn aboard the Conway Castle, a pretty stretch of water between Tewkesbury and Worcester, passing colourful canal barges and fishermen enjoying the autumn sunshine while an elegant crane flew overhead. Now, a quick quiz . . . Dominating the skyline was the 13th Century church tower nicknamed the hat is it about that indicates that it is a city? What do Pepperpot. Within its grounds is a bust you see in Cardiff because it is a city? Why is Cardiff deemed of Admiral Sir William Tennant who to be a city and not a town? When is a town a town and not a took control of the evacuation of the village and a village a village and not a hamlet? Replies on a postcard Army in 1940 from the beaches of Wto the editor by . . . well, anytime. Dunkirk, and also commanded the There’s a reference in the New Testament to a city descending from huge British and American artificial Heaven. A city that dwarfs Cardiff; which dwarfs all the world’s cities Mulberry harbours for the invasion of made into one. Normandy in 1944. It is named the Holy City — the New Jerusalem — and will descend During the two-hour cruise the party out of Heaven from God, founded and built by God. It exists now in enjoyed an afternoon tea while being Heaven, the Jerusalem that is above (Galatians 4:26). entertained on the keyboard by Tony A question. When did you last read any part of the Book of Martin, ending with a singalong. Revelation? Just read a piece of it now: chapter 21: 9-21. Without going Evergreens is open to everyone and into any detail you would read an outline description of the of the eter- there is a varied programme of talks nal home of the believer. What do you make of it? Your home to be? and visits — we are even off to the Have you the faith? Have you the desire to spend eternity with Jesus, pantomime at the New Theatre after with his Heavenly Father, the Almighty God? Christmas. We meet every Tuesday at To close, read John 14:1-4 and apply it to your own life. 2.30pm. For more information call Viv Francis on 2088 5389. The Lord be with you all. J Randall Morgan (Rev) THE ROTARY CLUB OF CARDIFF

Tools for Self Reliance The Club are collecting old or broken garden / carpentry/ sewing / builders tools which will be refurbished at workshops in Crickhowell and sent to artisans in Tanzania and other African countries.

If you can help us with this very worthy cause please e-mail [email protected] or phone Cardiff 2061 4242 Members will be pleased to collect tools or they can be delivered to premises in Rhiwbina. We are also now collecting spectacles and hearing aids for recycling and forwarding to needy communities abroad.

We are also seeking ‘readers’ for Herbert Thompson Primary School in Ely in order to improve children’s reading skills. Non Rotarians welcome

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Living locally in Rhiwbina PAINTED FROM £89, Tel: 02920 617059 Tel: 0292069I046 inclusive of all paint mobile: 07889 148611 079I020I2I2 and materials Bethany Baptist Church Heol Fach VIEW FROM THE MANSE Rhiwbina, Cardiff A Message from www.bethanybaptist.org.uk Rev Philip Dunning Minister : Rev Philip Dunning Minister of Bethany Baptist Church Tel : 029 2069 2I75 e-mail: [email protected] Church Secretary : John Townsend The Messenger Editor : Gareth Jenkins Tel : 029 2088 5389 e-mail : [email protected] Back to Church: Messenger Distribution : Pat Evans Tel : 029 2062 7457 Back to life e have just marked the beginning of a new SUNDAY SERVICES school year, but in many ways it seems to be so much more than that. Everything seems to come back to life in early September. OCTOBER I think in many ways its more significant than the January 4th: 10.30am: Morning Service. Led by our restart because most of us are also fairly fresh after some Minister Rev Phil Dunning sort of break in August, which we simply don’t get over the WChristmas period at the end of the year. 4.00pm: Cafe Church at Beulah Canolfan. Harvest for the Future. The Church is no exception to this seemingly invisible calendar. All our own regular activities begin again, and in 11th: 10.30am Harvest Service with Bethany early September always marks our Church Holy Communion. Conducted by Anniversary — a date we always celebrate whether or not it our Minister. Followed by is a significant number. It is true that my diary for fills up 12.30am Harvest Lunch in the quickly. Church Hall This year though, I want to make a point of recognising 4pm: Harvest Lighthouse Service for that a new term really should mean “new life”. It is a great Children and young people — of all opportunity to begin again, and to recognise that perhaps ages. With the Music Group led by things could, and should, be more positive and joyful — not only that we have much to be thankful for, but that we have Rev Phil Dunning this moment to put the past behind, and look to the future. 18th: 10.30am: Morning Service with In one of his most famous parables, Jesus indicates that Holy Communion the Prodigal Son — after some poor and reckless living — 6.00pm Evening Worship came to his senses and began the journey home. Both services led by Perhaps to all of us we recognise that some of the nega- Rev Phil Dunning tive stuff we have been doing should now be put aside, in 26th: 10.30am: Morning Baptismal Service, favour of both recognising who we really are, and focusing including Holy Communion. on what is actually important for our lives now — and for the future. 6.00pm Evening Service In Bethany we also marked The Big Welcome on Back to Both services led by our Minister Church Sunday — an opportunity for those perhaps who had not worshipped God for some time to seek to do so again, with a relaxed and informal service. Charity Concert I pray that part of your Back to in aid of Bloodwise — formerly Leukaemia Life initiative includes a real commitment to worship and serve and Lymphoma Research God in your life. For me, there is nothing more important than that Saturday October 3 at 7.30pm for now and for the future. at Bethany The Lord bless you, as you come Come and listen to Risca Male Choir back to life and soloist Michael Lowe. Phil Dunning Tickets £7. Contact Gill Jones (Rev) 02920628696 e-mail [email protected] It’s nothing like Dismaland in the Promised Land ne of the places 45 years is a four-star movie animated production about an Anne and I always ASEATAT about two ordinary people 11-year-old girl Riley and her love to visit is THE MOVIES Geoff (Tom Courtenay) and family who are about to move Weston-super-Mare Kate (Charlotte Rampling) who house from Minnesota to San which has experienced a sort of have been married for 45 years Francisco. revival. This is due to the and believe they know every- The movie explores the emo- refurbishment of the old open- thing there is to know about tions that go on inside people’s Oair lido. each other. That is until a letter minds. They are joy, fear, anger, It is an Art exhibition of the arrives to inform Geoff that the disgust and sadness. It is prov- Bristol artist Banksy’s and with Rev Sam body of his former girlfriend, in ing to be a movie that is not fact his first love, who friends which has been called only for children but a chal- Highway disappeared in 1962 in the Dismaland, a bemusement lenge to adults and Family life. park. Thousands of people who Swiss Mountains, has been We live at a time when we have already seen it talk about discovered. It has been shop at Poundland; take the it being thought-provoking and perfectly preserved in the ice. events surrounding an attempt family to Disneyland; Visit art challenging as a serious to reach the summit of this Kate begins to realise that exhibitions called Dismaland. reflection on the state of our world’s highest mountain. It there are aspects of her hus- Yet, as a Christian, I am glad commercial world today. tells the story of two different band’s personality she does not I live in God’s Promised land As I write this article it expeditions who are challenged understand with Geoff becom- seems to me that a visit to the beyond their human limits by ing more and more aloof and with the moral-standards and movies this month could well one of the fiercest snowstorms distant. The movie sensitively ideals of Jesus. be called a visit to Dismaland. ever encountered on the poses the question, How would Have a good month. There are a few movies worth mountain. Be prepared for a you deal with such a situation seeing. Everest is a movie that high-gloss mountaineering should it one day happen to you? Sam Highway (Rev) was inspired by the incredible adventure. Inside out is a Disney DATES FOR THE DIARY 10 years’ Life For NEWS OF THE FAMILY EVERGREENS October 6: Surprise, During the past few weeks we have lost Surprise; 13th: Fish and Chip Harvest lunch, African Mothers several much-loved members and friends. 1.15pm; 20th: Annual meeting with tea and Our sympathy goes to the families of Alan The charity Bethany has supported cakes.; 22nd: Half Term no meeting regularly over the years, celebrated its 10- Jennings — husband of Enid; Keith year anniversary at the Pier Head building Maxwell — husband of Margot Maxwell; BETHANY FELLOWSHIP October 14: Trek of in Cardiff Bay. Joy Hockridge — wife of Duncan, and Hope with Michael James; 28th A Funny They rolled out the red carpet for Howard, husband of Joan Jones. thing Happened on the Way to the Theatre Dr Grace Kodindo, visiting from Chad, as Margot and family would like to thank with Philip Davies. well as country representatives — Abdul- the family at Bethany for their supportive THURSDAY MORNING SERVICES Rahman Bah and Morlai Kamara, visiting prayers, cards, and messages of 10am-10.30am. Talks, messages and music: from Liberia and Sierra Leone. sympathy during their recent bereave- October 1st : Rev Randall Morgan. 8th: Rev They spoke about their contributions ment. This has been a great comfort to David Clark; 15th: Rev Phil Dunning; 22nd: over the past 10 years and highlighted the the family. Gareth Jenkins; 29th: Peter Jackson. staggering improvements in maternal Duncan, too, has been overwhelmed healthcare since the charity was formed by by the messages of support his family WHITCHURCH, RHIWBINA & Angela Gorman. The event was sponsored have received. With Joy, he was one of BIRCHGROVE MONTHLY PRAYER GROUP by Julie Morgan AM with guest compere the early members of Bethany when the Meet at 10.15am-10.45am the last Saturday Stephen Kinnock MP. The charity now of every month. October 31: St Teilos, operates from a new address: Castle Court, Church boldly moved to Rhiwbina from Whitchurch. November 28: St Mary’s, 6, Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ. the centre of Cardiff. Whitchurch.

SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN event at ROATH LADIES INDOOR SHORT GREEN Bethel Baptist Church, Pontyclun featuring BOWLS CLUB the founder of the project Dave Anderson, from Chicago. New or experienced members welcome. Come and see us at All Saints Church Hall CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES. Buy your Christmas cards and help a number of your Maes y Deri, Rhiwbina, favourite charities. The shop opens in the Mondays 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Our winter Lower Hall on October 29. session restarted on Monday, September 14 If you would like to help in the shop see Gill Jones 02920 628696 DANIEL CURTIS

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