3/2015
Do all the good you can.
By all the means you can.
In all the ways you can.
In all the places you can.
At all the times you can.
To all the people you can.
As long as ever you can.
attributed to John Wesley
STAFF
AM Congregational Pastor—Mark Falson 0423 201 261 • [email protected]
Breathe Congregational Pastor—Nicole Regan 0423 246 482 • [email protected]
Children’s Pastor—Carolyn Schache 0416 084 413 • [email protected]
Youth Pastor—contact Mark Falson (details above)
Communications/Admin—Amanda Faase 0432 842 866 • [email protected]
Community Support Coordinator—Matthew Pettett Concord West Public School
Chaplain—Chris Prouty Homebush West Public School
CONTACT US
web www.baysidecc.com.au email [email protected]
office/Arthur St Centre (ASC) 59 Arthur Street Homebush West 2140
phone 9029 3024 mail PO Box 338 Concord West 2138
www.facebook.com/buildingcommunity
2015 OVERSIGHT TEAM
Steve Bartlett • Sanjay Chandumal (Chair) • Rob Kirk • Dan Lee •Tania Tsang • vacant
OFFERING ACCOUNT
Bayside Community Church
BSB 704-922 Account No. 100001094
Bayside Community Church is part of the NSW & ACT Baptist Association
-Hello-
Welcome to Bayside and to our newsletter for term 3. We hope you
enjoy finding out some of what we are about as a church which seeks
to bless our local communities and to demonstrate and share God’s
love and grace in this corner of His world.
One of the misconceptions within our society is that God is distant and
pretty much unconcerned with the stuff of our everyday lives. The
real surprise is that the picture of God we see in the bible scriptures is
of one who is relentlessly seeking real, everyday relationship with
people just like us. This is most clearly seen in the person of Jesus, one
who shows us who God is and what He is like, but as one of us!
At Bayside we are a diverse community of people on different parts of
the journey of following this same Jesus in relationship with God.
Whether you already know and experience that relationship in some
way or whether that is something you are intrigued by, longing for, or
still checking out, His invitation is always there for you to come and see
that He is knowable, and that He is good.
As a church community, our heart is to open up God’s invitation of
relationship to people who are seeking Him and to provide a space to
explore what that means for them alongside some fellow travellers.
So, as you read, come and see, taste and explore just some of the
flavour of what that can bring to life!
Grace and peace,
Mark Falson, AM Congregation Pastor
Podcasts of the morning’s bible talk can be downloaded at ww.baysidecc.com.au
KidZone is on for kids (age 3 to Year 5) and Priority One for youth (Years 6-9)
during school terms. Find out more about KidZone from Carolyn Schache
0416084413 or Priority One from Mark Falson 0423201261
*378 Concord Rd (near Killola Ave). Parking in Queen St.
Want to know more about our morning service? Contact Mark Falson 0423201261
Sundays @ 10am at Concord West Public School *
During July it’s all about Courage on 5th and Watoto Children’s Choir on
12th.
On 19th July take a look behind some of the practical aspects of what we do
here at Bayside as a Jesus-following community and ask the question ‘Why?’
Knowing why we do what we do helps us to see more clearly our purpose
and meaning as a community in the hands of the Spirit of God
Then on 26th July meet 'Paul, Barnabas and Timothy'. What do these 3
'blokes of the New Testament' have to teach us about how to grow each
other intentionally in the context of community.
During August we’ll spend a couple of weeks looking at the Old Testament
book of Hosea and explore God's radical, extraordinary love.
Following that we will be exploring 'God, Rhythm and Rest' looking at God-
inspired, sustainable patterns/rhythms of living that won't burn us out along
the way... Pete Davies will be joining us for the final one of those on Sunday
13th September.
‘Watoto’ means ‘the children’ in Swahili.
Watoto is an holistic care programme that was established as a response to the
overwhelming number of orphaned children and vulnerable women in Uganda,
Africa.
It is positioned to rescue an individual, and raise each one as a leader in their
chosen sphere of life so that they in turn will rebuild their nation. The Watoto
model includes physical care, medical intervention including HIV/AIDS
treatment; education - formal and vocational; trauma counselling and moral
and spiritual discipleship.
Watoto aims to care for 10,000 children in Uganda by 2023 and to replicate the
model in other countries across the continent so as to fast-track the rescue of
orphaned children and vulnerable women in Africa
Since 1994, Watoto children’s choirs have toured internationally as
ambassadors for Watoto. These ‘Concerts of Hope’, combining contemporary
gospel and traditional African rhythm, are a lively demonstration of the life-
changing love experienced by the children of Watoto. The experience benefits
the children academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually and is designed
to train and equip them as future leaders.
Sing to GOD, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him - his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is GOD in his holy dwelling.
GOD sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing.
Psalm 68:4-6
Read more about Watoto further on in the newsletter
Eat Out & Sleep Out for Homelessness
Saturday - Sunday August 8-9
Acer Lawn, Cnr Baywater Dr & The Promenade
Wentworth Point
Eat Out for Homelessness 7-11pm August 8 Open your eyes & hearts to see for yourself the experiences of someone living
rough in Sydney. We will hear from those living and working with our street
friends on a daily basis.
Includes
Free BBQ, Soup, Supper
Guest Speakers
Music
Games
Sleep Out for Homelessness 11pm- 9am August 9 It’s one thing to hear about the experience, and another to live it a little! For
the ‘real deal’ in living rough on a Sydney winter’s night sleep out with us.
Bring your own sleeping bag and mat to join in.
There will be a free warm brekky served from 7:30am the next day, as well as
a debrief discussion of the experience from 8am.
To participate in the night’s activities please bring a donation of warm clothing,
blankets or money. It’s a great way to make a real difference! All donations will
be forwarded to St Vincent de Paul Society’s Parramatta Diocese Vinnies Van to
support their work with those living rough across Sydney’s west.
Contact Kath [email protected]
or 98905850 for more info or to
register for one or both events.
Vinnies Van Update
Following our super fundraising effort in 2014’s Eat Out & Sleep Out events, St
Vincent de Paul Society’s Parramatta Diocese has been able to reach a long held
goal of purchasing a new Vinnies Van! The new van has hit a new venue, moving
from serving in Penrith to Mt Druitt in July. It has been great to serve those
doing it tough in Mt Druitt and we are looking forward to continuing to build
friendships and offer services to locals there into the future.
Contact Kath if you would like to join our team that serves with Vinnies Van on
the 4th Saturday of each month.
Breathe gathers in Wentworth Point every Sunday evening (except the last
of the month). There is space for everyone, no matter where you are on
your spiritual journey. Our gatherings are
relaxed, informal, discussion based and
communal. Come along and eat with us, learn,
share your thoughts, and get to know some
new friends in the process. It’s church, but not
as you know it!
August’s Theme: People of Hope! Sometimes its challenging to be people of hope in today’s world. We see
things around us that make us cringe, that we struggle to accept. And
personally it can sometimes be hard to see how we are moving forward in
the everyday struggles of life. We are a part of the here and now, but we
know there is and can be so much
more for us all, and for those we care
about. In August we’ll be discussing
what it is to be people of hope and a
community of hope in the way of
Jesus. Everyone is welcome to join the
conversation at our Sunday
gatherings!
Pray For a great response to our Homeless Persons Week activities! That we would make and deepen many new relationships with our
community over the coming term’s activities. That Jesus would be clearly seen in us in all we say and do.
That we all would love Jesus and want more of him in our lives! For growth!
For Breathe as we transition to a new home for our Sunday gatherings.
Sundays @ 6.30pm at Wentworth Point
Life Groups are great opportunities to connect
deeply with others on a regular basis and grow in
your faith in a safe environment.
You will be accepted, supported and encouraged as
the group shares some of life, prays, learns from
God’s word, serves each other and seeks to bless
others - together. We have a variety of Life Groups – womens, mens, mixed,
young adults – and always adding new ones. Mark Falson, AM Congregation
Pastor, will be happy to talk about which Life Group might suit you best.
Connect Groups are usually larger groups of
people from our church community that meet on a
semi-regular basis.
They’re a relaxed social time that usually involves
sharing a meal together, and occasionally someone
sharing an aspect of a life of faith. If you're keen to
find out more or come along to a connect group contact Mark Falson
At Bayside we want our interactions and expressions of
community to go beyond getting together on Sundays.
Breathe Groups meet fortnightly. We enjoy time
catching up together, praying and helping each other
learn to live differently because of Jesus.
For those new to church or who are still working out
what Jesus is on about there are opportunities for
you to explore. We run groups that learn together about Jesus, or you can meet
up one to one with one of us- we'll do our best to help you find answers to your
questions. Contact Nicole, Breathe Congregation Pastor, to find out more.
Join the Jones’s to
RIDE THE WALL in Sydney Olympic Park
International China Concern (ICC) is holding their once-a-year fund raising event
called WALK the WALL (or, in Jones style, Ride the Wall) in Sydney and you’re
invited to be part of the fun
ON…. Saturday 12 September
WHAT...Bike ride or walk
WHERE... Commencing at Wilson Park, near Silverwater Rd bridge
TIME...Meet around 9:30am for a 10am start
Walk option...about 4km walk to the ferry wharf and back, suitable for scooters,
balance bikes, strollers etc.
Bike ride option...approx. 10km to Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park via
the marshlands and back, mostly on cycle tracks.
PURPOSE...All money raised will support the work of ICC, a Christian
development organisation that changes lives by
bringing love, hope and opportunity to China’s
abandoned and disabled.
ICC is a development organisation
that has been operating in China
alongside government welfare
centres for over 20 years.
Initially, it was set up to reach out to
abandoned babies and children,
many of whom needed medical
attention, sometimes life-saving,
sometimes as small as a cleft palate.
Over more than a decade now, the ministry of ICC has broadened. Abandoned
children and young adults are housed in smaller family units, each with a mother
figure. They also invest in helping families with disabled children stay together by
offering ongoing support and education. For more information go to
chinaconcern.org or walkthewall.org or speak to Cas and Jim Jones.
Latest Book from Cas Jones
Beautiful Bella is a book of 50 short stories about
Bella, a Border collie X Beagle who came to live with
us as a 2 year old dog. There was much adjustment
needed before she learnt to trust us and accept our
love.
Each story is related to a suggested Bible reading, as
Bella’s transformational journey is related to the
release from fear that God gives and his amazing
love for us, plus other daily issues.
Cost is $10, with profits going to International China Concern ($3 per book).
If you’d like to purchase a copy, email [email protected]
Bayside Youth is for anyone in Years 6-12
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him
and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
PRAY and give thanks for the various ways we have been able to ‘see God’s
face around the world’ during mission month in June. Pray for the
Dunne family as they finish their time in Australia and return to their
other ‘home’ on the ‘Africa Mercy’ ship
PRAY for our ministries to children through Kidzone, SRE, KLAG, Mainly Music
and other connections. Pray that through these activities the love of
Jesus will be shared with many children and their families – impacting
the next generation! Pray for our youth leaders as they lead Priority One
and Friday night Youth Group this term
PRAY into the dreams and the God given passions and opportunities we each experience in life. Pray for an ability to flourish and live in those as God moves us forward individually and as a church community. Ask the Lord for openness, willingness and courage to pursue what He is calling each of us to, right where we are.
PRAY for the Lord’s favour as we seek out a new Senior Pastor. Ask for wisdom, discernment and grace for the pastoral search team and for the oversight team as they lead us in this
PRAY for ongoing fruitfulness through relationship and connection in each of our footprint areas and surrounds: for the people of Wentworth Point, Newington, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush West, Concord West, Liberty Grove and Rhodes. Pray for a spiritual hunger amidst the demands and busyness of people’s lives that will not be satisfied except in Jesus
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:6-7 (TNIV)
Praying @ Bayside
SOME WATOTO PROJECTS
Watoto Children’s Villages
Watoto is not an orphanage in the traditional sense. Real homes are built to cater
for children who have lost their family or are vulnerable for many reasons. Each
Watoto family consists of a housemother who takes care of up to 8 children (2-
years-old and above).
The homes are constructed in
the form of small, vibrant
communities referred to as
villages. Each village contains a
nursery school, a kindergarten,
primary school, high school,
water project, medical clinic and
a multi-purpose hall for use as a
church and community centre.
The village provides safe and
open outdoor spaces with beautiful vegetation and plenty of space to live and
play.
Build teams travelling from all over the globe have generously donated their time
and effort to create sturdy homes along with the Watoto construction team.
Mothers and children are supported through the Watoto sponsorship
programme. Currently, Watoto has three children’s villages in Uganda – two in
Kampala and one in Gulu, northern Uganda.
Baby Watoto
There are many babies in Africa who
have been abandoned or left
vulnerable due to war, poverty, lack of
education and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Almost all of them fail to make it to
their 5th birthday because their
immediate relatives cannot provide
much needed care and medical
attention.
Baby Watoto was initiated to provide critical care to destitute babies aged 0-2
years, giving them the best possible start in life. When they are older and
physically well enough, they either graduate to a Watoto children’s village or are
reunited with existing relatives. Currently, Watoto was has three Baby Watoto
facilities in Uganda. The babies come to Watoto from a number of different
referral sources such as hospitals, local authorities, the police, child protection
units, good samaritans or other homes and care organisations.
Education - Formal and Vocational
Watoto’s key goal is to raise the next
generation of African leaders by pursuing
excellence in academic and practical skills;
integrity in conduct and moral values, so
that each child will become a responsible
Christian and a productive citizen of their
nation. Watoto builds its own schools and
finds qualified teachers to educate the
children. Watoto currently operates three
primary schools, two secondary schools and one vocational school in Uganda.
These co-educational schools are situated in the Watoto children’s villages.
Medical Intervention Watoto children’s villages operate clinics/medical
centres that provide basic health services to Watoto children, mothers and other
residents, as well the surrounding communities.
There are also thousands of victims requiring
surgical intervention in Uganda, particularly in the
northern part of the country. In addition to those
suffering from war wounds and burns, there are
many who have been mutilated or facially disfigured
and require reconstructive surgery. The wounds and
scars are a constant reminder of their past and
they’re also part of the reason for the harsh
rejection they receive from their community and
family.
Watoto provides opportunities for these individuals to undergo reconstructive
surgery. The surgeries contribute to the restoration, not only of their essential
physical features, but also more importantly to their dignity and livelihood.
They work with local and international doctors and medical teams to bring
healing to these precious people.
Trauma Rehabilitation
Watoto is actively involved in the psychosocial wellbeing of the community that
has been devastated by war, poverty and disease. Thousands of people have
accessed Watoto’s trauma rehabilitation services. The long-term goal is to set
up Trauma Rehabilitation Centres where comprehensive trauma counselling and
training can be given.
Living Hope
The most marginalised and wounded people in Africa are women.
Living Hope is a Watoto programme, launched in 2008 to restore the lives of
these women. Left abandoned or widowed, the target group is HIV+ single
women, returnees from abduction into the rebel army in northern Uganda and
teenage mothers.
The goal of Living Hope is to restore dignity to these women in the following
ways:
By improving quality of life, assisting them with basic necessities such as
food, clothing, shelter and medical care
Providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS care including counselling and
psychosocial support
Spiritual and moral discipleship
Empowering and equipping with vocational skills that will enable them to
become productive members of their community
Setting up self sustainable income generating projects using micro-finance
loans
And there’s still more to read about on www.watoto.com
Neale V in North Asia living amongst a Muslim minority group. Keep in touch with him at [email protected]
Bob and Chris Prouty helping families and groups of friends discover for themselves what God is like and how he wants them to live both locally and overseas via the internet. Chris is also chaplain at Homebush West Public School helping recent migrants connect with the school and wider community.
Mick and Tammy Dunne and their children Jack, Mark and Harry volunteering on board the Africa Mercy hospital ship that provides free state-of-the-art medical treatment to the forgotten poor in West and Central Africa. Keep in touch with them at [email protected] [email protected] The boys have email addresses in the same format
Jonno and Heather Crane and their children Samuel, Caleb, Hannah, Micah and Josiah living amongst the Yao people in Mozambique. They’re connected with Global Interaction.
Connecting with our city and world
We see a Church...
Building people, raising up and releasing disciples to live out their
God-given calling. We envision a church that develops an excess of leaders to
spearhead new things. And we see a church that also champions the
missional impact of each person in their own relationships and spheres of
influence.
Mark 4:8: “Some seed… produced a crop, multiplying thirty,
sixty or even a hundred times.”
Expanding its influence across the district, deepening its current
ministry footprints and adding new ones. We envision an agile, flexible and
impacting church, not centralising our ministry in one location but expanding
in response to God given opportunities. We see both our current
congregations increasing significantly in size and capacity. We see a church
that plants new congregations across our local area and beyond.
Matt 5:13-14: “You are the salt of the earth…you are
the light of the world.”
Transforming the next generation, championing ministries to children,
youth and families. We see disciples raised up from every generation and
family heritages transformed for good.
Ps 87:4: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds
of the Lord.”
Impacting globally, deeply engaged in making a difference for Christ in
mission across the world; thinking and acting globally as well as locally.
John 20:21: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Our Vision
We exist to love God and love people;
encouraging everyone to grow
into passionately committed followers of Jesus
Vibrant Faith connected to God, living in His power
Kingdom Living changing our world with Jesus
Community sharing life deeply
Transformation becoming more like Jesus
Empowerment developing, releasing, multiplying
Our Values
Our Mission
Building Community - Celebrating Life
