Trust in the LORD

Last Monday, we went to Dunedin, bringing Jadyn’s stuff. She is moving into the Hope House, where she will stay while studying at Otago University.

Reflecting on the new life chapter our family is embarking on, I remembered Proverbs 3:5-6. These are our dad’s favourite verses to share with us when my brother and I started university life. He would share this each time significant events were happening in the family.

Now, it is our turn to share Proverbs 3:5-6 with Jadyn and all the other students returning to their respective university courses. Let us pray for them all.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Family Love Sunday on 18 February

On Sunday, 18 February, we will focus on the Christian family. We aim to provide life lessons to young parents, especially migrant parents navigating two cultures in their family life in the context of the Christian home, church, and New Zealand culture. 

We have invited five resource persons to compose our panel who will share about parenting, discipline, lessons learned, and how we can strengthen the Christian home.

Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Fellowship Lunch on 18 February

It’s time we gather together for lunch after the worship service on 18 February.

Let this be a time to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, fresh beginnings, and many more.

As our first fellowship lunch this year, let us celebrate the new people who have joined and rejoined us.

MUST-ATTEND TRAINING FOR OBC

Child Protection (under 18) Training – FREE

This webinar will provide the up-to-date version of the Baptist Union Child Protection Policy written in consultation with Child Matters. It will cover:

• Child Protection in Aotearoa NZ
• How to use the policy
• Key points in the policy
• Child Protection Designated Person(s)
• Q&A Session

If you have children or youth ministries – within or beyond the church, please take up this opportunity and have at least one key leader in these areas (or all of them!) jump on this, too.

Churches are not immune to things happening, even unintentionally. This is essential stuff, and it’s only 2 hours of your time.

20 February, 7-9 PM or 1 May, 10 AM – 12 NN. 

“Making Sense of Admin and Compliance”
with Wayne Schache (BU Operations & Finance Director) & 
Catharina Siraa (BU Administration Advisor) 

Saturday 2 March; 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Lunch provided
Dunedin City Baptist Church (19 Main South Rd, Concord)

REGISTER HERE or contact Rachel – by 23 February for catering planning.

• Overview of structure and connectedness – Structure of the Union, key documents, etc.
• Property – buying/selling, anti-money laundering, development, leases, maintenance and planning, insurance, mortgages, the role and obligations of the Union, etc.
• Church Compliance – Health and Safety, Fire Evac, BWOF, Seismic, Legal, etc. 
• Church Policies – intranet, leadership hub, model constitutions, policy templates, reviews, the church policy group, human resources, etc.
• Finance – church budget, aligning vision and budget, Charities reporting, audits/reviews, investment, etc.
• Keeping Connected – updating contacts, statistics, regional vs national, reaching out, ensuring info is with the correct people, etc.

For anyone involved in administration, finance, elders/hip/governance, property management, pastoral leadership, church HR. 

NOTE WELL: The Assoc Executive has agreed to reimburse those outside Dunedin a portion of your travel costs @30 cents per kilometre. If you bring three or more and fill a car, we’ll increase that.

Weekly Youth Meeting every Thursday, 7:00 PM

Our youth group meets every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Please ask Tom or Bevan for more information. Invite young people you know to join.

Fresh beginnings around us

As I shared last Sunday, the new year offers many fresh beginnings. All we need to do is look around and see these impending changes.

Let me share the outline of the sermon I delivered on Sunday, 4 February.

I took this photo when we stopped at Shag Point’s southern end because of road works. I noticed the new house built on the hilltop. We were following a moving van. Someone or a family might be moving.

Youth ministry resumed on 8 February

Our youth group meets every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Please ask Tom or Bevan for more information.

Invite young people you know to join.

Family Love Sunday on 18 February

On 18 February, we will focus on the Christian Family. A panel of speakers will share about parenting, discipline, lessons learned, and how we can strengthen the Christian home.

Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Fellowship lunch on 18 February

It’s time we gather together for lunch after the worship service on 18 February. Let this be a time to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, fresh beginnings, and many more.

As our first fellowship lunch this year, let us celebrate the new people who have joined and rejoined us.

We have an IT intern – Christian Jericho

On behalf of OBC, I have accepted Christian Jericho, or CJ, to spend his internship with us in fulfilling the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science he is finishing at National University, Philippines.

CJ is the eldest son of Art and Kathy Luna. If you can recall, when Art received their NZ Residence Visa, he brought his family to New Zealand in May 2023.

CJ continued with his IT course online. Now, he only needs to accomplish 170 hours of internship to get the BSIT degree.

CJ’s tasks are improving our website and digitalising the church’s photos and documents for our online archive. We will discuss other IT-related tasks more in the days to follow.

Church Tasks Roster

The tasks roster is an opportunity for us to participate in the function and operation of our church in the areas of worship and service.

Please feel free to write your names on the rostering sheet on the table at the side of our tea area.

Don’t hesitate to ask Bevan, the pastor, or any member regarding any task you are interested in and if you need further information. Thank you!