| | | | News from Barney’s May 2019 | | | |
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| | From Andy and Liz…It was wonderful to celebrate the baptisms of Jack, Josh, Sue and Lachie the week before Easter (see below). Thank you to all those who came along to Trevallyn Lake to support them. Choosing to follow Jesus with our whole lives is a significant step, that it is great to celebrate and rejoice in. It is particularly pertinent, perhaps, to celebrate baptisms at Easter time, as the act of submerging and then re-emerging is a reminder and symbol of an important spiritual reality. This reality is that, because we choose to follow Christ, we die with him and are born to new life, just as he died and was resurrected to life (Romans 6:5). This is possible, as we have been seeing in Ephesians, because as followers of Christ we are united with him. We are ‘in him’ and therefore all that is in Christ, is also made available to us. (Ephesians 1). This is the amazing reality of what it means to accept Jesus. This month in our Sunday gatherings we will be completing our look at the six chapters of Ephesians. Paul gets very practical in second half of this letter, with many directions for how we should live as people who are in Christ, both individually and as a community. Perhaps you would like to re-read chapters 4-6 in preparation for that, and do join us if you can. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6) | |
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| | Praying for the Imaginations Missional Community | |
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| | | | Imagin-Nations is an on-campus missional community that welcomes diversity, builds and values relationships, grows and experiences life in Jesus Christ, and provides a safe space to explore and journey through God’s Word. Our vision is to be “Growing family away from family, who are sharing and experiencing God’s love.” Gilbert Claridge, Joel Ng and Sue Sean Lee make up the leadership team this year. During semesters, we gather at the Student Centre at UTAS (room Y-204 at Level 1) every Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm. We kicked off Semester 1 with a preview welcome party, updating old and new members on the direction Imagin-Nations is taking this year and connecting with one another by having dinner together and a short bible discussion on Psalm 23. The party was successful and attracted 22 people. Since then, we have been studying the book of Genesis and have so far got as far as Chapter 9. This study has raised many challenging and thought-provoking questions as well as sparking a lot of fruitful and insightful discussions. | | | |
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| | | Meanwhile, we have invited different guest speakers to join our gathering each month (i.e. Pastor Terry from ISee Church in March and Christoph Ochs from Barney’s in April). Pastor Gordon from ISee Church will be joining our gathering this month. The presence of the guest speakers has been beneficial to all members (including non-Christians and new and more established Christians) by engaging in the discussion, answering our questions, sharing useful tips on how to read the bible and a short bible message with us. Recently, we have had a potluck dinner and a time of fellowshipping and praise and worship during the mid-semester/Easter break. We would appreciate prayer: - for strengthening of the leadership team
- for new members and leaders
- for growth in our faith in Jesus and discipleship of others
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| | | | News…BaptismsOn Sunday 14th April, three members of our Barney’s community, and one who is part of All Saints: City, were baptised in Lake Trevallyn. Although the water was cold, the sun was shining as Josh, Jack, Sue and Lachie took the plunge and committed their lives to following Jesus. James Hornby, Christoph Ochs and friends of those getting baptised also got wet to help! It was wonderful to have so many people there supporting and cheering on these four young people as they took this significant step. Please keep them all in your prayers in the coming weeks. | | | |
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| | | | From our Missionary Partner in South East Asia"My second month overseas felt very different to the first one! The initial ‘honeymoon period’ has worn off and it’s sinking in that I’m here to stay! “How long will I stay in this city?” was my question in March as I travelled to different universities to decide which one to apply for. "Thankfully, by the end of March I’d visited all the Unis on my list and was able to make most of these decisions, though some details are yet to be finalised. I hope to update you fully soon! "I’m still getting to know many brilliant people here. It's been tough at times, feeling in limbo between old relationships in Oz and new ones here. Having my own space to live in will help me settle, so I’m looking forward to house-hunting near ex-pat friends in the quieter and greener side of the city. "I’m continually learning to trust God in the big things as well as the small. Whenever I make time to reflect on my day in the evening, or connect to God in the morning, it’s been helpful. | | | |
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| | | "I am thankful for: - Having some key decisions made - Safety travelling to different cities to suss out Uni options - The opportunity to come back to Aus for a family wedding "I’m praying for: - Energy for lots of travel coming up - Transition from Aus and into new relationships from old - Trust in God for a good home, friends, my next visa, etc." In the last few days we also learned that ‘Clare’ has been taken ill while back here in Australia, possibly with something she picked up overseas. Please pray for peace and acceptance and God’s healing. | | | |
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| | | | | Tasmanian Anglican NewsletterYou can read the latest edition of the Tasmanian Anglican here. Read about some of what’s happening around the diocese including in Evandale and Queenstown. | | | |
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