'Wacky' Jackie goes bald for Children in Need
Jackie Parsons, a teacher of the deaf and one of the team members of Woodside Baptist Church Parent & Toddler group has shaved her head for Children in Need. She underwent the shave at the Group on Friday 16 November watched by about thirty parents and their children.
When asked why she decide to do it she replied "I wanted to do something 'wacky' for Children in Need but also as a tribute to close colleagues who have recently undergone chemotherapy and lost hair as a result. In the course of my work with children with severe disabilities, I meet families who experience much unwanted attention because of their children's behaviour or appearance. I wanted to identify with them.
Children at local Ashburton Junior School where Jackie is a governor are also supporting her.
Jackie aims to raise £1,000 for the charity.
Alpha Weekend 9-11 October 07
Over twenty of us went away for the weekend as part of the Alpha course. The weather was autumnal, the surroundings…beautiful, right in the heart of the Sussex countryside. We stayed in the Pilgrim Hall conference centre, accommodation was comfortable and the food plentiful and delicious!
We had a fantastic time together with many discovering a new dimension of their relationship with God.
FairTrade Weekend 7-8 October 06
The weekend, designed to highlight the importance of Fair Trade kicked off at 11am with a Craft Market open to the local community.
On Saturday evening, we had a magnificent concert featuring Gareth Davies Jones and Rob Halligan (above) as part of their autumn tour. Watch out for these guys!
Sunday morning, was our Harvest Thanksgiving, once again with a Fair Trade emphasis: our speaker was Mark from Christian Aid.
Our Sunday evening service was cancelled and in it's place we had a Harvest Supper which included thought-provoking entertainment from some of the young people.
Induction 6 May 2006
The induction of Steve Ewing (above at mic) as pastor of Woodside took place on 6 May. The service was opened by our moderator Rev Douglas McBain and the induction itself was presided over by Rev Dr Pat Took, LBA regional minister. The address was given by Rev Rupert Lazar. The whole happy event was followed by a good tea!
Photo: Sheila Newbold
New Pastor for Woodside
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Pastor, Rev Steve Ewing, who will move down from the Loughborough area.
Steve has a busy time before he takes up the reigns in May. He and his fiancée Nwabisa, are marrying at the beginning of March.
Bryn Haworth – Hot off the press!
As part of our autumn events, Bryn Haworth played live at Woodside on 14 October. Bryn is a top musician, particularly known for his skill playing slide guitar.
The auditorium was set out café style – low tables and low lighting. One highlight was the availabilty of his new album, Keep the Faith, which the manufacturers had delivered to Bryn only hours earlier. We were the first to be able to buy it!
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Pineapple party!
On Saturday 6th August the ladies of the church enjoyed a Hawaiian themed party together. The evening kicked off to the sounds of Hawaiian guitar with a little help from Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. There was plenty of Pineapple and even a fake palm! Sadly there were few takers for the Limbo.
Well done Jacob!
Jacob Eager proudly shows off his silver medal for diving. Jacob was entered in the national (England) novice competition age 10-11 (which was held in Plymouth this year) and came second.
Jacob dives for Crystal Palace Diving Club and has managed silver at the Kent open novice, 5th in the Southern Counties (Kent, Surrey and Sussex) novice as well as second in the nationals He hopes to compete in the Kent open and the Surrey schools in the next two months.
Blest be the tie...
Christmas morning, Woodside Baptist Church. We are accustomed to at least one outrageous tie at the christmas morning service, possibly two...but this year all previous records were broken with at least seven 'fashion conscious' gents being invited on to the platform to play the christmas jingles on their ties through the microphone! On a more serious note, we were reminded that the baby whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, grew up to be the Saviour of the world.
Photo: Sheila Newbold
Nuns on the run?
The faces may be familiar to Woodside folk, but are the habits? Are Mary Gander, Ruth Johnston and Cathy Cayley going 'somewhere else' on Sunday evenings or is there another explanation for their appearance?
In fact, these three appeared recently in a stunning performance of the Sound of Music at The Lantern Arts Centre, Raynes Park. The show was produced by Karen Buckoke and featured her husband, Malcolm as Captain Von Trapp and daughter Esther as another nun. Mike Johnston played the violin and the lead part, Maria, was played by Antoinette Munns (husband Bob was Max and son Joshua played one of the Von Trapp children) .
Two baptised at Covie Birthday
This year's Covie birthday was made special by the baptism of two of our young people – Becky Fisher (L) and Alex Knight (R). The service was led by the young people, and the music was supplied by Urban Faith.
New Youthworkers
We welcome Grace Kim (left) and David Lukama who come to work with our young people. Grace, who comes from Vancouver, Canada is a member of the Croydon PAIS team who work in local schools.
David, originally from Zambia, comes to us from the Faroe Islands, with his wife Nanna and young son Josiah. David is currently studying for a Youthwork & Community degree with Oasis Trust and is leader of the YP group.
Farewell to the Trickeys
Over 200 people attended the farewell lunch for Rob and Julia Trickey and their boys on 11 July. This followed Rob’s final service preaching as Pastor of Woodside. At the end of the service the congregation assembled outside the church for a group photo (click to enlarge).
In the afternoon, a farewell service was held, at which much appreciation was expressed for their friendship and ministry over the nine years Rob had been Pastor. They were presented with a gift of money and a bible each.
We will miss them greatly, and pray that God will bless them richly in their new ministry at Hay Hill Baptist Church, Bath.
Mountain top experience
On 23rd April, Daniel Swan climbed Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain (4,406ft) for the Anthony Nolan Trust which fights against leukaemia. It took five hours to climb to the summit and 3 hours to come back down.
“It was a challenge but very enjoyable and worthwhile. There was a lot of snow at the top and we were walking through cloud for the last hour or so which made visibility very poor, it was good we had an experienced guide.
There were about 30 people doing the challenge, raising money for the trust, including my mum.
I have raised about £500, so a big thank you to all those who have supported me at Woodside.”
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4 Lads take the plunge!
On 9 May four of our young people professed their faith in Jesus by being baptised. They are Adam Pearson (top left), Paul Lunnemann (top right), Matthew Weston (bottom left) and Oliver Woods (bottom right).
It’s a boy!
Congratulations to Mark & Emma Handley who have a baby son. Mark writes:
Hi friends, Callum Isaac Handley arrived at 10:04 on 19/04/04 weighing 9 lb. 3 oz and is 58 cm long. Hope all those numbers keep the ladies happy!!! Emma and Callum will be in hospital for a few days as we chose to have a c-section. They are both doing well. Emma's mum is helping Ruth and I remember everything. No, Ruth is helping Nanny and I remember everything!
Thank you for your prayers. Please don't stop.
Mark, Emma, Ruth and Callum
Goodbye Rob and Julia
Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Rob, Julia, Benjamin and Joel in July.
Rob, who has pastored Woodside for nine years has accepted an invitation to be Pastor at Hay Hill Baptist Church in Bath. Many will know that Hay Hill is the church that Rob and Julia left when they came to live in London for Rob to train at Spurgeon’s College.
In a letter to friends and members, Rob writes,“Since the autumn, Julia and I have felt increasingly that God was calling us into a new ministry… We feel very clearly that God is calling us to Hay Hill Baptist Church.
Hay Hill has changed very significantly in the years we have been away and we feel sure that this is a step forward into a new situation.
For now, we just want to say how much you all mean to us, how much we have valued your friendship, support and care, and how grateful we are to have begun our ministry with you.”
Godspell – a success!
Woodside’s production of Godspell on 26-27 March was enjoyed by over 300 people. The musical based on the gospel of Matthew, follows the ministry of Jesus as he forms a community of disciples, teaching them through stories and humour. The production ends with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Each member of the audience was offered a copy of Matthew’s gospel to take away and read.
Highlights…? Too many to mention. But let it be said that members of the audience were moved, some to tears, as Jesus said goodbye to his disciples and was taken to be crucified.
Thank you to Karen Buckoke (the director), all the cast and musicians, and everybody who contributed in any way to the successful production.
Louise Bradbury
Congrats to Jo and Brad, on the birth of Louise, born 10.15 am on Friday 12 March. Weighing in at 6lbs. she has all the good looks of Brad except the ginger hair!
Ruth Harvey
We were happy to witness the baptism of Ruth Harvey on 25 January.
Ruth told us ‘I was born into a Christian Home and was forced to go to church every Sunday, which I thought was very boring. Funny how things change, now I can’t wait for Sunday to come so I can go to church!
‘A major turning point was when I lived on my own and I was burgled. I didn’t know who to trust. I felt very alone and I prayed so much to God to send me a decent man to share the rest of my life with.
‘I got ill the following week and was admitted to hospital. I thought how much worse can this get? BUT God knew exactly what he was doing. A week later I met Donovan (now my husband!) I knew without a doubt that this was not all a coincidence and that it was in God’s plan.
‘We were blessed with a beautiful child, Reon, even though I was told I wouldn’t conceive.
‘I went to work one morning and was told I was redundant. I was so upset – just as I thought things were getting easier. How wrong I was, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.
‘I stopped worrying as I knew God had it all in control.
I have made the decision to give my commitment to the Lord and make a public statement, to the church, my friends & my family that this is who I am now and this is the path I will follow.’
Recent Baptisms
We are delighted to have witnessed the baptisms of several of our friends. Top row, Karina and Keith Henry baptised on 1 June, bottom left is Sophie Chatterjee, also baptised on 1 June. Bottom right is Chris Dixon who was baptised on 13 July.
Books into Bibles
The Book Fair organised by the Girls and Boys Brigade companies of Woodside, raised almost £300 on 30 November. The proceeds will be divided between the Brigades and a Bible translation project in East Asia.
Craft Market tops last year
Our Third World Craft Market held on 28 October, exceeded last year’s excellent result by almost 100%. This year’s total is expected to be in the region of £3,500. The money goes to support workers and aid projects in Third World countries
The Craft Market sold goods created in Third world countries , distributed by Traidcraft and Tear Fund. There was also opportunity to sample and buy Fair trade produce.
Will the real Mrs Baptist Church please stand up!
The search is on to find the true identity of Mrs Baptist Church. And to let her know that help is on the way! A letter, addressed to Mrs Baptist Church was delivered to the church advertising a special insurance against having a breakdown. It advertised a 24 hour helpline, the facility to claim for as many breakdowns as you need without penalty, and a new for old replacement (surely a benefit for Mr Baptist Church!).
Reading on, it became apparent that the insurance actually applied to a lawnmower not a person. The letter has been passed to our Property and Equipment Deacon until such time as Mrs Baptist Church can be traced.