The latest updates from the Government and Baptist Union on the coronavirus outbreak require that further measures are put in place. We are following the advice regarding the need to ‘avoid all non-essential contact and travel.’ Therefore, we are required to put a pause on all of our groups and gatherings from meeting together in the traditional sense.
Over the next couple of days, we’ll be getting in touch with some of the ways in which we’re going to re-imagine what our groups and gatherings may look like in this coming season since staying connected as a community, albeit from a distance, is a high priority – so watch this space!
Providing pastoral care and support across the congregation and to our wider community and neighbours is a major focus too and we’re getting some good support structures in place. During these difficult times we want to extend our prayers, love and practical care to those in need. If you know of anyone who is isolated, vulnerable or lonely please do get in touch and we can help coordinate their care. Furthermore, our Foodbank will remain open as we see this as a crucial part in supporting our community.
Please join us in praying for the local and global situation and particularly those affected. However, no matter how wild the news about the virus gets, it will not taint the good news about God.
Conversations will not be cancelled Relationships will not be cancelled Love will not be cancelled Faith will not be cancelled Hope will not be cancelled
You are not alone, God is always with you. It’s in the unknown that God makes himself known. We pray that you encounter Him in powerful ways as we navigate through this season together. ‘May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).
Thank you so much for your cooperation and support during this time.
With love and prayers,
Darren & Elaine
Church office: 020 8540 9380 darren@faithinmorden.com elaine@faithinmorden.com
In the last week we have been made aware of cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the borough of Merton. The leadership of MBC continue to monitor the situation and will act in accordance with governmental advice. At this time we have no plans to stop meeting together but would ask all of the fellowship and users of the building to let the church office (020 8540 9380) know if they have been in direct contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus so that we might be able to take action if needed.
If you yourself have been diagnosed please let the church office know so that we might be able to support you and check up on your wellbeing.
We would like to encourage all of the fellowship and users of the building to practice good basic hygiene by:
Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and properly disposing of them.
Regularly and thoroughly washing your hands.
Refraining from hugs and handshakes if you are coughing or sneezing.
Staying home if you feel unwell.
Should you have any of the symptoms of fever, dry cough and shortness of breath please stay home and call NHS 111.
If anything changes we will use Engage Extra emails as the quickest and easiest way to inform everyone.
We will continue to pray for those around the world who have been and are continuing to be affected by Covid-19. We pray that all will know God’s overwhelming and steadfast love.
Our MBC Foodbank Hub first opened its doors back in March 2018. From the very beginning Angela Cox has been involved and we asked her to reflect on the Foodbank journey so far…
I first got involved with the Foodbank about 10 years ago when they invited people to come and look around the main Foodbank at Elim Church. Several of us went to hear about it and a couple of us began to put out information at MBC and request donations. For a number of years my only input was in ferrying these donations to the main Foodbank. Then things stepped up several gears when Darren approached me because he was keen to start up a satellite outlet here at the church. So two years ago now our MBC Foodbank opened and a rota was set up to work with clients on Wednesday evenings.
Each week we have to go and fetch “parcels” so that we are well stocked up by Wednesday evening. Generally there are three people on duty each week and although numbers of clients do fluctuate on average we see six or seven people each week. Occasionally we may have a zero week and once we ran out of food when more than 12 people all came on one evening!
Clients usually arrive with a voucher which they have been given by another agency such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Wimbledon Guild, a school or social services. We always sit and chat with people and offer tea and biscuits to help them relax. Some know the system but others are overwhelmed by the mere fact that they are at a Foodbank. Sometimes they want to be quickly on their way and sometimes they want to stay and chat for two hours. “Parcels” consist of several bags of non-perishable food which is meant to last for 3 or 4 days as an emergency measure. Different size parcels are available for single people, small families or even larger families. Besides food we have extra items such as toiletries and soap powder/nappies/toilet rolls, etc.
There is no such thing as a typical person who uses a Foodbank. Probably the majority we see are single men who are out of work. We have young and old, single parents and elderly couples.
We had a very interesting conversation one evening with a Muslim girl having partner problems. What she wanted most was for us to pray with her that she could settle down and start a family. A teacher on a zero-hours contract has been several times when she is particularly hard up and often has landlord problems.
It’s sad how many people live life on the edge of imminent disaster and yet are just about functioning and even keeping a family together. Many are extremely grateful for the food and love we can give them and welcome prayers or advice.
Anyone who is interested in joining our fantastic group of helpers needs to be able to commit to about one Wednesday a month and enjoy working with a wide variety of people. Training is given and you are always part of a team.
Are you curious, confused or concerned about how the Christian faith can be outworked in politics?
Come join us for a new 6-week course from Christians in Politics.
This non-party political course will explore how our Christian faith
can influence the political system, using discussion groups and videos
for conversation and inspiration.
Attendees: Anyone of any age and any political viewpoint
In 2020 we will once again be hosting the Winter Night Shelter at MBC. Every Tuesday night from 21 January to 3 March we will be providing food and shelter to a group of about 14 people.
If you are interested in supporting this rewarding and much-valued service in any way please contact us.
We are looking for an individual to oversee and supervise the hiring of rooms at Morden Baptist Church, alongside fulfilling the cleaning requirements and upkeep of a well-used building.
Hours: 15 hours per week (5-days a week) with a degree of flexibility
Pay: £10.55 per hour (London Living Wage)
Term: Initially 1-year contract (further years subject to funding)
To apply, send a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for this role to: Operations Manager, Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden SM4 5BL
The CAP Money Course is a revolutionary money management course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based system that really works. This course, devised by the award-winning debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty, will help anyone to get more in control of their finances, so they can save, give and prevent debt.
Our very own fully-trained team will be running a 3-week CAP Money Course here at MBC starting on Wednesday 13 November, 7.30pm. This course can truly be life-transforming so be sure to publicise these dates to any friends/family/neighbours etc. that would find this support helpful.
If you would like more information or are interested in attending the course use the form below:
Morden Baptist Church is looking for two fun-loving, outgoing, enthusiastic team leaders who love working with young children and families for its popular weekly playgroup Great & Small.
The Playgroup Leaders will be responsible for the running of our weekly playgroup sessions, ensuring safe, stimulating play and responding to the needs of the children and parents/carers attending. This will involve planning, preparing and delivering play-based activities appropriate for children aged 1-4 years. This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving team attended by over 100 pre-school children each week!
Closing date for applications is Friday 6th September.
