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Mr Thomas Ewins preaching
from the prison, 1664
The Magazine of
BROADMEAD BAPTIST CHURCH
August, 2015
16 40
welcome! If you are curious and have come to see us
If you are weary and have come to rest
If you are grateful and have come to share
If you are hurt and have come for solace
If you are listening and have come to pray
If you are seeking and have come for answers
welcome!
BROADMEAD BAPTIST CHURCH 1 Whippington Court, The Horsefair
Bristol BS1 3HY Tel. 0117 929-1387
Minister: REV. JOHN HOUSEAGO, M.TH, M.A., B.SC.
Tel. 0117 951 4091 (Home) 0754 896 8252 (Mobile)
For your information SUNDAY WORSHIP: 11 a.m. every Sunday; there will be no even-
ing services except for special occasions. (Communion on the first and third Sunday mornings.)
CITY PRAYERS: Tuesdays at 1.10 p.m.
CITY COMMUNION: Thursdays at 1.10 p.m.
The minister will usually work at church on Tuesday afternoons, following City Prayers, and on Thursday mornings, until City Com-munion.
You are always welcome to pop in for a chat, but please phone first if you are making a special trip as events frequently mean that the minister’s plans have to be changed.
1 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
T HE News on 26th June was terrible. Thirty-eight people enjoy-ing their holiday in the sun were murdered. One of the gunmen
was shot by the Tunisian authorities; others are still at liberty. ISIS claimed responsibility. As I write these notes the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Tunisia, effectively ruining the country’s tourism, bringing unemployment to the people and deepening the instability of the region.
Although I know such actions appal the world-wide Islamic commu-
nity just as much as they do the other faith communities, and people of no faith, it was hard to watch the footage and not feel anger against Islam.
Later, in the same News bulletin, I watched the report of the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip to Bergen-Belsen, part of a state visit to Germany. The Queen laid a wreath to commemorate the 50,000 people who died there, or as a result of the treatment they received in the camp. They made up a small part of the total number of deaths in the Holocaust. Estimates vary, but a conservative figure would be at least 11 million, 6 million of whom were Jewish.
The juxtaposition of these two dreadful reports forced me to recon-sider my instinctive anger.
The events on the beach in Sousse did not represent Islam any more than the German extermination camps of the Second World War represented Christianity. Remember, Germany is a cultured and so-phisticated nation that gave the world Martin Luther, and produced philosophers and many leading biblical scholars through the nine-teenth and twentieth centuries. Some people would argue that Germany represented the high point of European culture, and yet it engendered the Holocaust.
Programmes to reduce radicalisation in mosques, schools and com-munities, often led by imams, are all to be applauded. An integrated society is in everyone’s interest.
In doing this, though, we should not lose sight of the deeply unfash-ionable idea that human nature is not morally neutral but, given the opportunity, is inclined to arrange the world for its own benefit. In
matters
2 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
Christianity this idea goes under the name of original sin. In the
wrong circumstances, and under external influences, ordinary people can do terrible things. The problem can be mitigated by changing circumstances and making sure that the external influences are posi-tive, but ultimately the problem of sin can only be corrected by the
change of heart that God alone can give. JOHN HOUSEAGO
Sermon Themes All services are conducted by the minister, unless noted otherwise.
2nd August, 2015
11 a.m. The Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 and John 6:24-35
9th August, 2015 11 a.m. Be imitators of God. Ephesians 4:25-5:2 and John 6:35, 41-51
16th August, 2015 11 a.m. Living wisely. Ephesians 5:15-20 and John 6:51-58
23rd August, 2015 11 a.m. The Whole Armour of God. Ephesians 6:10-20 and John 6:56-69
30th August, 2015 11 a.m. Revd Neil Draisey.
We have to report with great sadness the death of Shirley Moss on
22nd June. We send our deepest sympathy to Cliff and all the family and remember them in our prayers. A tribute to Shirley is on p.7.
Others also are in need of prayer and we remember them too.
Please submit copy for the next edition of The Record any time BEFORE
SUNDAY, 16TH AUGUST. If you are offering something which has been
written by another person, or printed elsewhere, please make sure you have
asked permission first. Your own contributions are always welcome. JACK APPLETON, Editor
3 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
CHURCH FLOWERS 9th August
Julia and Philip Dickinson
23rd August
Margaret Long (in memory)
CHURCH MEETING The next Church Meeting is on Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015,
at 7.30 p.m. in the Hiley Room. All members are encouraged to at-tend.
BIBLE STUDIES 2015:
PAUL’S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS The subject of the bible studies this year is Paul’s letter to the Philip-pians. The studies are usually held on the last Thursday of the
month. They start at 2.15 p.m. and last for an hour.
The remaining studies this year will be on 30th July, 24th Septem-
ber, 29th October and 26th November.
I will produce written notes for each study, and these will be avail- able to anyone who asks. They are too long to publish in The Record.
A QUOTE TO NOTE ?
Our understanding of scripture must always be open to
refinement. All scripture needs to be tentatively final. At the
same time, all efforts in biblical interpretation are flawed. Our interpretation of scripture, therefore, must never be closed to correction and revision.
KENNETH E. BAILEY, Jesus through Middle Eastern eyes.
4 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
A NEW CREED In a recent BAPTIST MINISTERS’ JOURNAL a contributor, Revd
Brian Oman, made the following request of his fellow ministers.
“For some time I have wanted to produce a contemporary creed, which gives a simple statement of Christian faith in five sentences! The following offering is a first attempt. I hope to produce a revised edition after receiving comments and suggestions. We said it togeth-er in Emmanuel Baptist Church Swanage recently and it is now in our church magazine.
“It is a work in progress and I would welcome help from readers of BMJ. My vision is to produce a creed that could help people under-
stand and believe the essentials of our faith. I recognise the need to refer to the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, perhaps include a sentence on eschatology [the last things] and something more about the Holy Spirit. This, and probably more, but my aim is for it to be no longer than seven sentences!
“It may be that a contemporary creed already exists or some readers may like to try to produce one. Is there anyone in Broadmead who would like to make a response, perhaps even explaining why as Bap-
tists we have no need to go down this road, or simple amendments which might help?”
I thought some of us might have suggestions to make to Brian.
ROGER HAYDEN
A CONTEMPORARY CREED (in five sentences)
I believe Almighty God the Creator of the universe came to planet earth in the form of Jesus, the unique God/Man.
Jesus came to reveal that God is like a loving Father, to teach us
how we should live and to make it possible for human beings to have a personal relationship with God which lasts for ever.
Jesus made this possible by dealing with the problem of sin which separates us from God.
By suffering and dying on a cross He took the blame for us so that we can enjoy a personal relationship with God that lasts for ever,
5 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
TO READING FOR THE DAY Edwina and I were invited to attend the 375th Church Anniver-
sary celebrations at Abbey Baptist Church, Reading, on 4th July,
2015. This was because we had been in ministry there from 1981
-1986. It was all part of the joint celebrations between the nine
Baptist churches which were formed in the 1640s. We shall have
our own Songs of Praise event in September.
Abbey had planned a Saturday act of worship, followed by a tea
together. The worship was led by the present Abbey minister, the
Revd Paul Burnish, with the Revd Dr Robert Ellis, Principal of
Regent’s Park College, Oxford, as the preacher. Robert’s chal-
lenging sermon, “see, the new thing,” was based on Isaiah 43. 16
-21. This was followed by tea together and a considerable ex-
change of news and views from across the years. The exchange
began with a well rehearsed, and charming conversation
exchange between one of the youngest Abbey folk and selected
senior members of their fellowship. The piece was called: From
Memory Lane to the Future Road. There were also delegates and
written greetings from the nine churches. Edwina gave a greeting
on behalf of Broadmead and invited everyone to join in our
Songs of Praise when the time comes. There were so many people
to ‘rub shoulders with’, that the afternoon was soon gone.
We were glad that Richard, our son, drove us there and back,
but was also himself, to step back across the years to his days in
Reading. EDWIN AND ROGER HAYDEN
called eternal life, if we truly believe this good news.
God is so amazingly great that we cannot adequately describe him in human terms, but He has revealed Himself as a loving Father.
Jesus, willing to die for us and powerful Holy Spirit all rolled into One in the mystery of the Trinity!
Hallelujah!
Brian Oman is a retired Baptist Minister living in Swanage. Contact him
with your responses on [email protected].
6 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
Baptists against the Slave Trade On 17th of June, Professor John Briggs recalled the role of Baptists in the ending of this trade. His lecture on ‘Baptists, Bristol and the Campaign to end the Slave Trade’ was one of the events celebrating 375 years of Christian Witness at Broadmead Baptist Church.
He noted that the abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807 should be dis-tinguished from the abolition of slavery in Jamaica. (William Knibb, a member of this church, had a distinguished part in the campaign which eventually led to the passing of the Jamaica Abolition Act in 1838.)
In 1783, Quakers established a committee to look at the appalling conditions under which slaves were shipped. Baptists followed them in opposition to the Slave Trade and powerful sermons were preached against it. Professor Briggs commented that “Preaching should not be dismissed as a pietistic pastime.” Some sermons com-pared Bristol and Liverpool to the ports of Tyre and Sidon, which the Bible noted were condemned, at least in part, for selling people and carrying them far from their homeland.
Shutting down the Slave Trade was not a popular concept in Bristol. There were merchants who made a living by exporting goods from
here to West Africa, slaves from there to Jamaica and sugar (from plantations worked by slaves) back to Bristol. However, Robert Hall, a minister of this church, opposed the trade and asked people how
they would like a reverse operation in which they were the slaves.
Sermons stressed that the equality of human beings was a fundamen-tal Christian doctrine.
All people were made by God and so all were equal, even though different racial groups were at different stages of development. Ser-mons also noted that people were transported to Australia for petty crimes whilst the appalling cruelty of the Slave Trade went unpun-
ished. The Gospel could not be reconciled with the Slave Trade.
Baptists played a significant part in its ending. 'An Act for the Aboli-tion of the Slave Trade' was passed in 1807 although, as noted above, it took another thirty-one years to achieve the final freedom of slaves in Jamaica. Background: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IJzeren
7 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
A TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY MOSS As a young person, Shirley joined the Youth Group at Broadmead in the 1950s.
It was here she met Cliff and subsequently they were married, living in the St George area of Bristol. Shirley was a great family person, very proud of her four children and their achievements as they grew older.
Shirley’s involvement at Broadmead came after she retired from work in a Bristol drawing office, her artistic talents were greatly appreciated in her silk flower arrangement for the Undercroft and the
church window on Union Street. Shirley enjoyed serving in the Undercroft, even when she was in pain from her spinal problems, as well as her hips and knees, inspiring many people with her courage and cheerfulness. When Shirley took over the church’s catering arrangements, she went all out to make these an unforgettable expe-rience of good food and a welcoming atmosphere.
When Shirley went into hospital for a knee replacement she antici-pated being able to participate again in life as she had in the past, but it was not to be. She accepted her long stay in hospital with her usual resolve, always making visiting her a cheerful experience, although she was clearly not at all well. We give thanks for knowing her, for all she achieved, and are thankful for every remembrance of her.
EDWINA HAYDEN
RON BARNES – CENTENARIAN Edwina Hayden has received a letter from Mr Ron Barnes in which he states he has settled in well at a Nursing Home near Litchfield. He courageously agreed to leave Bristol to be nearer to Philip and Kay, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is residing in a home which has a chapel, and with access to an organ and a piano. Ron has already found time to play both instru-ments. He is considered to be ‘first rate’, but as Ron said, he knows he isn’t! He has a lovely view from his bedroom window, of the delightful gardens surrounding the Home. Altogether he appears to be happy man. Well done, Ron!
8 THE RECORD, AUGUST, 2015
JUST A THOUGHT Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. ALBERT EINSTEIN
Not available for the
Internet
ANSWERS TO BOOKS OF THE BIBLE QUIZ
1. Esther, Daniel; 2. Exodus, Judges; 3. Malachi, Micah;
4. Samuel, Joshua; 5. Jeremiah, Ezra; 6. Job, Jonah, Joel;
7. Haggai, Psalms; 8. Ecclesiastes; 9. Ezekiel, Hosea;
10. Numbers, Nahum.
PRAYER AT BROADMEAD
AUGUST, 2015 Christians, whoever we are, wherever we are, do not live our life of faith in isolation.
We all belong to Jesus in the Spirit-filled community of all God’s people, the Church.
Thank God we are not alone. “Bind us together Lord, Bind us together in Love.”
WEEK ONE We are a community within a community – the City of Bris-
tol. Let us pray for our city and our nation that our society may be Christian
and open; a society that can recognise sin’s reality; a society which recog-
nises the ambiguities of progress, and also has proper place for law and or-
der. Lord Jesus we not only pray for such a society, but that we may play
our part in partnership with you to bring it to reality here in Bristol.
WEEK TWO We pray this week: “Lord, thank you that as churches we
can help nurture and send Christian workers overseas. Lord we pray for
our fellow members in Nepal and Afghanistan , when they are far from us.
When they come home perhaps feeling tired, drained and spiritually weary,
help us to listen with sympathy, to learn from them eagerly, and to care for
them and ‘their people’, lovingly.” AMEN (David Pountain, Praying with
God’s people.)
WEEK THREE Our world is a world at war in so many places, and in so
many ways. We pray for those who hear the crack of rifle fire, the shudder-
ing roar of bomb and mortar shell. For people who are gripped by fear, we
ask they may meet with your peacemakers, those who strive at many differ-
ent levels to answer God’s intentions declared by the prophet Micah, that,
“Nation shall not lift sword against nation, nor ever again be trained for
war.” (Micah 4.3)
WEEK FOUR We thank you Lord for all who accept the responsibility of
worship and preaching amongst us week by week. This month we remem-
ber Revd Neil Draisey, who will lead us on 30th August. Neil is currently
minister at Elm Road, Beckenham, and is known to us because he is mar-
ried to Catherine Clark. The following Sunday, 6th September, please re-
member in prayer the Revd Peter Slee, a former Baptist minister at Stock-
wood. He now serves as part-time chaplain at Horfield Methodist Homes
for the Elderly, where Jean Hooper from Broadmead is a resident in his
care.
WEEK FIVE During September we shall be celebrating our 375th Church
Anniversary, and we have invited representatives from the nine other
Baptist churches formed around 1640 to join us for a common celebration
in a Songs of Praise evening. Please remember in prayer all those who have
responsibilities for this gathering and pray that the Lord may use it to bless
us all, so that together we may rejoice in the Lord’s mercy and grace, and
fulfil our part in His mission to our world.
