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 Rhiwbina, 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 Cardiff 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. 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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 Llanishen 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.