Latest News

Our journey with Joshua - sharing points from 13 November   (Leadership Community)
Last Sunday (13 November) we had the opportunity to share about how the series on Joshua has impacted us over the past few months.

Several people took the opportunity to share their responses, including through song (thanks for getting that stuck in my head, Jordan!!). Attached is a brief summary of what we had to say.
Attachment: Our_journey_with_Joshua__sharing_summary_from_Elders.pdf

That quote again...   (General)
"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God
except precisely that little point where the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing
Christ...Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved."
- Martin Luther

Wednesday evenings by the lake (new Tuesday option!)   (General)
On Tuesday evenings from 5 October onwards – the Sawtells plan to be at Tuggeranong Lake near the Scout Hall, from 5.30/6.00 till about 7.30. We commit to this as a family to ensure a relaxed catch up with each other mid week. If anyone wants to join us, you're very welcome. BYO dinner, drinks, dogs, balls, kayaks... There maybe the odd week we don’t make. Sorry if we miss you, but hope you enjoy the relax. Can always phone us on 0421 274 221.

Previously we've met on Wednesdays, but commitments with the girls mean that Tuesday is better for us!

Counsellers available   (General)
Just a reminder that there are some counsellors in our the Canberra area, associated with the Baptist Churches, who we could recommend, if anyone requires counselling.

Cherie Martin - from Brindabella, is available for counselling on Fridays - in Gowrie. She is an experienced counsellor of over 15 years now both in a private and secular practice, working with both relationship and individual issues. She works in a professional capacity with regular supervision so there is a fee. You can contact Cherie on 6291 8411

Jude Morris - is well known to many of us and available as a counsellor. He can be contacted on 042 477 432 and operates out of Harrison on the north side.

Jennifer Strachen - is avaialble, also on the north side, at Wallaro via Hall - on 0409 038 850

Small Group Resources   (Small Groups)
If your small group is looking for a study to do, there are a number of resources here at ConneXion. Talk to Rachel in the office if you'd like to have a look through them or drop in between 9:30 and 12:30 Wednesday or Thursday.

Fusion Canberra Newly Married Faith Workers Needing Secure Accommodation   (General)
Nigel and Sarah Doecke were married on 30th October 2011 and are seeking accommodation at a reduced rate. They have limited financial resources as they don’t draw a wage, as part of their vocational call to Fusion as staff workers. The hope is 2 bedrooms plus living areas, preferably on south side of Canberra, but not essential. Both in their early 30’s they will look the accommodation very well, and enjoy maintaining any garden areas. Please contact the Fusion Office on 6162 3700 to discuss further or email canberra@fusion.org.au.

Merry Beach activities   (Events)
Karina Luke has volunteered to coordinate a timetable of activities at our Merry Beach camp coming up in March 2012. Yay!

Karina will have a sign up sheet on Sunday for people to start putting activities they'd like to coordinate in slots - what would you like to do at Merry Beach?

If you'd like to help Karina with the activities, please contact her on
0413970080
karina_luke86@hotmail.com
or Rachel on
0450 237 244
admin@brindabellabaptist.org.au

Birth of Eliyah Piawong   (General)
To all our friends and family,

For those of you who may not have heard the news through Facebook or word of mouth, our baby boy, Eliyah Sartugan Piawong, was born last Saturday 29th October at 10:01pm. He weighed 3.59kg and is healthy and well! The name Eliyah (pronounced El-ee-yah) means "Jehovah is God" ("Elijah" in Thai) and Sartugan means praise. We praise God so much for His protection over the last 9 months and especially on Saturday through the delivery. We were able to come home on Monday and are now enjoying our first week as parents!

We've attached a few photos from the birth and the days after. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support, and may God bless you all!

Love Noom, Karis and Eliyah
Attachment: Birth_of_Eliyah_Piawong.pdf

Merry Beach 2012 - Bookings open from Sunday 30 October   (Events)
The planning for our annual migration to Merry Beach at Kioloa is underway. Every March long weekend, Brindabella packs up and moves to the beach (there is no service at MacKillop that weekend) for a time of relaxtion, fun & getting to know eachother.

Attached is the initial information brochure for our next weekend (9-12 March). THE MAIN DIFFERENCE YOU WILL NOTICE IS AN INCREASE IN COST. The Caravan Park has increased their fees, which (along with our reduced numbers) translates as an increase in cost for us. Therefore it is with some regret that the booking/camping fee has been increased to $30.00 per site (or family if you are not camping).

Please read the attached PDF or get a hard copy of the brochure at church on Sunday.

Bookings are now open - payments are to be made to Rachel, or by direct debit (bank account details on the brochure - just make sure you let us know who you are and what you are paying for).
The sites are booked on a 'first come, first served' basis, so be quick if you want a particular spot! A map will be available to see where the sites are.

If you wish to stay in a cabin, you will need to book that yourself, but still pay the $30 fee, and let Rachel know you are coming via admin@brindabellabaptist.org.au

Further details in the brochure!
Attachment: Merry_Beach_brochure_2012.pub.pdf

Pray for Believers in the 'Horn of Africa'   (Prayer)
'For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Romans 8:38-39 NKJV

There is a great need for us to pray for our fellow believers who are currently caught in the human tragedy unfolding in 'Horn of Africa'.
In Somalia, those who are suspected as being Christians will be tortured and even killed. In southern regions of Somalia, the notorious Islamist rebel group al-Shabaab keeps the population under what is being described as an "iron fist of terror.”

In spite of risks, we are keeping in touch with pastors in the most dangerous parts of Somalia. Believers in these areas have many needs, and require much prayer and support. There are many physical needs which we are working to provide, and also in much need of encouragement and strength to stand strong in this great darkness.

Please Pray:
That God will bring peace and relief to our fellow believers. Pray for the comfort and peace of God to overflow upon them.

For God to grant great strength and encouragement to believers to stand strong against the spiritual forces of darkness.
That Open Doors would be able to provide relief, hope and light through discipleship training and Christian radio programs

Joshua sermon series study booklet   (General)
Wayne and Rachel have been working together, with Peter Macartney and Jude Morris, to construct a booklet of notes and studies from the current Joshua series.

The idea is that the booklet is a study guide on it's own, but when read concurrently with the book of Joshua, and re-listening to the sermons via the BBC website, there is a holistic revision of what we have been hearing from God through our speakers.

These booklets will be available from the information table, and we ask for a gold coin donation for each booklet taken, to acknowledge the time & effort put into them, and also to help cover printing costs.

Power of Meditation   (Community Development)
Please find attached a word of encouragement from Wayne, our Teaching Leader. This follows on from his sermon on 3 July, reminding us to meditate on God's word day & night, to always keep it before us. Hard copies will also be available on the information table on Sunday.
Attachment: The_power_of_meditation.pdf

Creation Ministries resources available.   (Other)
Three weeks ago, someone from Creation Ministries International visited BBC and kindly gave to the church a pack of resources valued at over $125.

1. The creation answers book
2. Genesis for today
3. Refuting Evolution 2
4. Refuting Compromise
5. Creation: the key to dynamic witnessing (DVD)
6. Dinosaurs and the Bible (DVD)
7. From a Frog to a Prince (DVD)

There is also a folder of other resources and explanations as to who Creation Ministries are if people wish to browse those. Their website is at: http://creation.com/. If you wish to peruse these items please contact Connexion at admin@brindabellabaptist.org.au or the elders at elders@brindabellabaptist.org.au.

Use of the oval after church   (PeopleCare)
Due to recent drought conditions and water restrictions, the oval next to the hall at McKillop is in poor condition, and no longer being hired out. You can still play soccer etc on it, but you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK, so please take care!

Art and Soul   (Creative Arts and Worship)
Creativity - Community - Christ
A fellowship for people who want to explore truty, art and spirituality together as disciples of Christ. Open to all who appreciate the arts, and artists from every field of creative endeavour. Meets the fourth Sunday of every month. Check the website for time and venue details as they may vary. www.artsoul.com.au

Jude Morris Cai Alpha Counselling Service   (General)
Jude's counselling service is still available but he will no longer be using ConneXion on Mondays as he has had plenty to keep him busy on the north side. His number is 0428 477432.

Pray for Burma 2012   (Prayer)
On the 11 March (while we're in Merry Beach), it's the Global day of prayer for Burma. See the attached email for further information.
Attachment: broadcast.record.message.open.do

ACT Baptist Regional Gathering   (Events)
23 – 25 March 2012 at Hughes Baptist Church

The Catalyst12 conference is a purpose driven gathering of the area’s church leaders, youth, ministry leaders and congregational members. Throughout the weekend we will be presenting a series of workshops specifically addressing a wide range of concerns, challenges and opportunities that our regional churches are facing, as well as times for worship, teaching and fellowship. We hope you can join us, for what we pray will become a weekend of witnessing God’s hand upon the region. Registration brochures and handouts available soon at your church.

Register by Friday 16th March 2012 for this FREE event.

Position Vacant 1 WAY FM - Production Manager   (Other)
1 WAY FM is looking for a new Production Manager - see the attached if you think this may be for you!
Attachment: Position_Vacant_1WAY_FM.pdf

Membership at Brindabella   (General)
For those who are members here at Brindabella, we've attached the membership covenant to remind you what membership means, in the lead up the AGM. If you are unsure of your membership status, please speak with Robyn Evans or Dean Sawtell.

If you would like to become a member here at Brindabella, speak with an elder and they will organise for someone to come and chat with you.
Attachment: Membership_Covenant_2011.doc

Student accomodation in Sydney   (Other)
Do you know about the Flo Harris Lodge?
It is a caring community with a family atmosphere.

For over 50 years Petersham Baptist Church has been providing this facility in the Inner West of Sydney, convenient to many Universities and Colleges, to accommodate students and employed young people from the country and regional Australia.

In reality, they provide far more than accommodation…the Managers and Youth Workers provide spiritual oversight and nurture and encourage the integration of the residents into the life and ministries of the Church, which is immediately adjacent to the Lodge.

The Lodge can accommodate 49 residents, almost all in single rooms with shared bathroom facilities. All meals are supplied, as is high end internet connection to all rooms. And all in pleasant surroundings, just three minutes from Lewisham Rail Station and Canterbury Rd buses.

And, in 2011, it will all be at a rate of $235 per week.

AGM of the Association of Baptist Churches of the ACT   (General)
The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 7.30pm at North Canberra Baptist Church, Condamine Street, Turner. At this meeting, representatives of the churches and denominational organisations will present reports of their activities over the last twelve months. Everyone is welcome to come along, and we look forward to seeing you there and hearing what’s been happening in our churches. Any enquiries may be made to Barbara Coe at coe.barbaraj@gmail.com.

Minutes of AGM held on 29 May 2011   (General)
It has been a little while coming, but here are the minutes of the AGM held on 29 May. Thank you for your patience. It can be difficult, in a voluntary organisation, to get all the necessary administration in place to get things done and then communicated. Thanks to Robyn Evans especially for all her efforts during a particularly busy time and having been quite unwell. Please read them thoroughly, especially if you are a member, and if you have any question or concerns, contact Ruth Sawtell on r.sawtell@bigpond.com or the elders on elders@brindabellabaptist.org.au.
Attachment: BBC_AGM_29May2011_V41.doc

Sunday Morning Parking - thank you   (General)
Thank you for parking your cars on the basketball courts. This greatly improves safety for our kids and creates a more welcoming front door to our church meetings each week. This includes parking behind the doors at the back of the auditorium - if you need to drop something off that is heavy (for eg musical instruments or bulky items) please feel free to do so, but then please re-park on the basketball courts, for the safety of our members. Thankyou for your cooperation in this!