From the Heart August 2008

A Spiritual Heart for the Community
Valley Baptist is an open spiritual community at the heart of the North East Valley Community

• “It looks more like a lounge and feels more like a family”
• “I really like the grapevine time where we share news and someone prays for us”
• The refreshments after the service are just as important as the sermon
  (don’t tell Steve that)”
• “I like the fact that the messages are accessible yet intellectually stimulating”
• “The worship is relaxed yet engaging and connects with the real world”
• “We are a community church”

These are among the comments heard at NEV Baptist or ValleyBaptist as we like to be called. We are a little church with a big heart and big vision. We are a spiritual community that serves the wider community with heart and integrity. If you want to be part of a vibrant spiritual community check us out. We welcome visitors – do drop in and make yourself at home.

Eating Together Builds Community Strength
A new initiative
There are lots of great people in this community and lots of good things happening. A gathering to share lunch is set to bring members of the community together to talk, share ideas, develop awareness of community issues and facilitate networks.
For some it will be as simple as sharing sandwiches and a cup of tea with friends. For others the benefits may include dreaming together about how North East Valley may be enhanced and how residents’ lives may be improved.
The lunch will be by the community for the community. All are welcome to be a part of this community building initiative.

You’re invited to be part of a
Weekly Community Lunch
North East Valley Church Hall 12:30 Fridays
Starting September 5th
This is a to be a shared meal,
bring some food to share
Prepare to share something of yourself as you meet and get to know your neighbours
This will be a highly informal gathering with no agenda other than enabling people to meet and get to know each other; - what comes of that is up to those who attend, the possibilities are before us.
Strong communities are safe communitiesSharing communities are caring communities

Decision 08

Sometime soon the country will go to the polls for a general election. ValleyBaptist Church Hall will be one of the polling stations this time around as the Presbyterian Church hall is no longer available. And sometime during the election campaign we will host a meet the candidates evening and invite the public to attend. So keep your eye out for further information on this. It pays to be informed and we want to encourage the community of NEV to play their part in the democratic process. So meet your candidates, hear what they stand for and vote accordingly.

A word from the wise.
The ancient psalmists once wrote; “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well-spring of life.” We believe that a wholesome heart, nurtured with worship, encouraged in good company, stimulated with relevant spiritual teaching is essential to experiencing and living life to the full. This is how we help each other to guard our hearts and so become together a heart for the community.

VALLEY BAPTIST
A church for the community

Our Vision
We are a diverse people of Jesus Christ
Who celebrate life given
Support one another on the journey of faith and
Respond in care to community need

Our Staff
Pastor: Rev Steven O'Connor
Admin Pastor: Sandra Copeland
OSCAR Supervisor: Janette Anderson

Contact Information. If you’d like to find out more about ValleyBaptist, or anything else in our newsletter, in the first place phone the church office 473 9413.You could also check out our website www.valleybaptist.org.nz