5 minutes with the fish

Dear church family

"Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"
(Ecclesiastes 12:8)

I was reading through Ecclesiastes this week and although some can find the book depressing, it is actually a favourite of mine. The writer describes life using the Hebrew word 'hevel' which has been translated as 'meaningless'. Tim Mackie from The Bible Project suggests that a better translation would be smoke or mist.  Although mist can look solid, try to take hold of it and it will disappear, but it is all too easy to get lost in fog! The main teaching of the book is that the things of life to which we place much worry, striving or high value are fleeting like the mist and the only thing we can truly control about life is our attitude toward the current moment.
 
When we worry about life, we so often forget to enjoy the little things that we take for granted, enjoying a meal with family or coffee with a friend. It is so often the simple things of life that cost nothing which are our safety valves releasing pressure and stress allowing us, for a while, to rest from the heavier tasks of life.   For me, I find much pleasure in watching the fish in my pond and when I do, I can feel the tension drain out of me. If I'm honest though, you will rarely find me in my garden as I am far too busy with all the other things on my 'to do' list.

What are your pressure release valves? If you don't know, then take some time to reflect on the small things that you may ordinarily overlook and when you find them, be intentional about adding some of those moments to each day. I've fallen out of the habit of sitting by my pond, instead I hastily fling a few handfuls of food in that direction every morning but perhaps I can give myself a few moments more to pause and let the tension drain a bit before moving on with my day. Returning home in the evening could be another opportunity for me to take 5 minutes with the fish.
Intentionally noticing and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, building onto that some pressure release moments is surely another way to worship God. Noticing and acknowledging God's gifts in this way is a good 'hidden thing'. Building these hidden moments into the fabric of your day invites a closer walk with our maker, allowing space in which he can draw close and whisper his love for you even amid the 'meaninglessness' of life!

Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

May our Lord reach you in some hidden moments this bank holiday weekend and may you be ever blessed wherever life finds you.

Paula xxx


SUNDAY GATHERING - 10:30AM Join us this Sunday for as we continue our sermon series 'Life-changing Encounters'. For those who are unable to attend in person please join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JDDHGB0CKZU



FREEDOM IN CHRIST COMING SOON! For those of you who have no idea what Freedom in Christ is, it's a course which encourages us to go deeper WITH God and our understanding of who He is, who we are and as a result find greater and deeper freedom with Him.

The course enables us to recognise how the enemy works and how to push back the darkness, realising the strongholds that exist in our lives which prevent us from worshipping God freely and living in the freedom we have received through Christ, and also helping us identify the thought patterns which hold us back...

The majority of people who have done the course have found it absolutely life-changing and transformational for their walk with Jesus, and if you put in the work, even if you only do it once in your life, the mindset change will be immense!

This course will be running weekly from September in groups, both online and offline. If you want to participate (whether you are already in a group or not) please register so we can order your participants book.

Fill in the form using the link below! We look forward to journeying with you!
Sign up here: https://www.willesboroughbaptist.church/freedom-in-christ



VOLUNTEERS DESPERATELY NEEDED We desperately need volunteers to help with our Tots team and with the Kids work team (including a couple of children who need consistent 1:1 support). If you are able to help in this area of the church please email Izzy ejhirst47@hotmail.com THANK YOU!



LADIES BREAKFAST Calling all ladies! We're joining together with the ladies from Brabourne Baptist Church at The Woolpack on Sat 7th September - arrive around 8:30 for a 9am start. We have a Full English Breakfast and a talk from Partnership Pastor Paula! All for £8 - see you there! Email Val to book your place by 2nd Sept: val_geoff@btopenworld.com



EXPLORING BAPTISM COURSE It's been wonderful to have so many Baptisms recently! If this has got you thinking and you would like to be Baptised please get in touch with Mark and join this short course on Zoom to find out more...
Email mark@willesboroughbaptist.church



CHURCH FAMILY MEETING On the 15th September, we will be gathering as church family to make some key decisions around the long-term life of our Partnership with Brabourne but equally importantly, to make a decision on whether to call Paula Chegwin as our third, full-time pastor at the completion of her training, beginning in September 2025.

Please also be praying for the Brabourne Baptist Church meeting happening on 8th Sept as they listen to God and discern what the future holds for our partnership.



PRAYER & FASTING DAY | RUAH A space to listen to God's leading. The main worship space will be open on Thursday 12th Sept from 8am-7pm ahead of an evening gathering at 8pm

PARTNERSHIP PRAYER We're joining together on Thursday 5th September at 10am at Brabourne Baptist Church as we continue to listen to God and discern what the future holds for our partnership.

DEAF AWARENESS TRAINING Join us for the next session on Thursday 19th September. We would like as many of our church family to attend as possible, especially if you volunteer in any area of WBC life, including the Well Cafe and Welcome teams.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES WORKER WE ARE HIRING! We're looking for someone with the gift-mix, heart and passion for the children and families at the heart of our community - to love, serve and encourage them

We are a growing intergenerational and intercultural church family, passionate about making disciples. We seek to live out Psalm 145:4 and raise up generations that love Jesus with all their hearts and bring hope to the world around them.

Could this be you or someone you know?! For more information and to apply, please visit the Jobs section of our website: www.willesboroughbaptist.church/jobs



ON PAUSE IN AUGUST Please note the following events are on pause throughout August:
- Power Hour
- Youth
- Tots
- The 'Real' Meal
- Early Morning Prayers
- Facebook Live Prayers

YOUTH SUMMER MEET UPS The youth will be meeting on 30th Aug for a Beach Trip... Keep an eye on your emails for updates re this event - or to find out more email katie@willesboroughbaptist.church


Summer at Oasis Every Wednesday in August | 10am-12noon | BBC
The 'Real' Meal 2nd September | 7-10pm | The Woolpack in Smeeth
Partnership Prayer 5th September | 10-11:30am | BBC
Ladies Breakfast 7th September | 8:30 for 9am | The Woolpack in Smeeth
Prayer & Fasting Day 12th September | Ruah space throughout day | Gathering 8pm | WBC
WBC Church Family Meeting 15th September | After Sunday Service | Bring food | WBC
Deaf Awareness Training 19th Sept | 7pm for 7:30pm start | WBC


Sparks & Firestarters | Sunday mornings | In The Hall & The Well | 0-3 & 4-10 year olds
Blaze | Sunday mornings upstairs in The Well | years 6-8
Ignite | Friday | 7-9pm | Main worship space | years 7-13
Furnace | Mondays | 7-9pm | Katie's manse | years 9-13
The Well | Open Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays | 9-12
Crafty Cuppa | Thursdays every other week | In The Well | 2-4pm
Brabourne Craft Group | Fourth Thursday of the month | 10am-1pm | Brabourne Baptist Church  
Renew Wellbeing | Tuesdays in The Well | 2-4pm
Prayer | Before our Sunday service | front of church | 9:45am
CAP Ashford Life Skills | Weekly course every Friday | 1:30-3:30pm | WBC | Sign up here
Alpha Course | 11 week course every Tuesday | 6:30-9pm | Sevington | Sign up here