Newsletters

Front and Centre

2021 is panning out to be an exciting year in the Brigades. The pause that was forced upon us last year was a great chance to reflect upon the activities that we do and place a high emphasis on the activities that are important to achieving the aims and objectives of Brigade. I know that within BB, we have had numerous changes in the activities that we do over the years but the purpose behind the activities have not. This is the main reason that the movement has existed for so long.

Within our company it has been great to see the development of new leaders in the last few years. The most pleasing aspect is to see how they learn skills and can implement these practically through multiple areas of the program. This year we have seen significant changes in how the company operates, both in terms of people and structure.

This reminds me of Galatians 6:7 (parable of the sower) that tells us that we reap what we sow. While we are concentrating on sowing seeds, it is equally important to nurture the seeds that we have sown and that have had the pleasure to see germinate. Without any guidance and continual nourishment these germinations will shrivel and die off. This is a major factor as to why BB has been around for so long worldwide and a long-term program at Emmanuel.

Noel Pinkerton

Boys' Brigade Company Captain

for the rest of the newsletter click [here](https://mailchi.mp/b287e1a6d28a/newsletter-1929047)

Front and Centre

The church year is made up of a number of seasons and these seasons help give a rhythm to our Christian life. The Church year begins in late November with Advent which runs for four weeks leading into Christmas. Christmas lasts 12 days and leads to Epiphany which varies in length each year to accommodate Lent and Easter. Lent leads us into Easter which lasts 6 weeks and concludes with Pentecost. The post Pentecost season is known as ordinary time and takes us through to the end of the church year when we begin Advent again.

Next week marks the beginning of Lent with the celebration, or memorial of Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of reflection, denial and preparation leading up to Easter. Though we are not particularly emphasising Lent we will be picking it up in our daily devotion and providing people with a daily bible reading plan to help people reflect during the Lenten season. After Easter we will be starting a whole of church study. For now the daily plan will help people focus upon discipleship and how to be a part of our journey as a church to grow disciples who grow disciples.

The material from the daily plan (see attached pdf) can be done as a daily devotional and the reflection questions, though the same each day, help us focus on how we allow God’s word to influence our Christian living. The Sunday readings are the ones we will be using each Sunday if bible study groups would like to focus on those.

Blessings,

Brian

To access the rest of the newsletter click [here](https://mailchi.mp/ebcc49ecaba3/newsletter-1928195)

Front and Centre

Last week I was reminded once again of why I am so glad to be here at Emmanuel. The strength of any church is its people, and last week as we commissioned our elders and our group leaders and our volunteers in our various ministries and groups I could see the strength of our church. It is great to work with amazing people as they respond to the call of God in their lives and express that through their daily living, and through their involvement within the Christian community. Last year was a challenging year and many things were put on hold. As a result many things were paused. As we enter this year it is time to hit the play button. The issues of COVID will continue to be with us, and I doubt that a vaccine will change that very much, as we will always be trying to respond to the latest variant or mutation. The result is that we are entering the new normal and as a church we want to tackle that proactively.

The Church Council and Ministry Team have met over the last 2 Fridays doing a disciple making seminar. The question we are grappling with is how we create a disciple-making culture within this new normal that COVID has given us. We want to re-launch our small group ministry through lent and will be encouraging people to form into groups either face-to-face or on-line or a hybrid of both.

As Sunday school resumes it is exciting that we have more children, and as a result need more leaders, what an awesome problem. The way we band together and work together and share ministry together is the strength and potential that we have. As we keep a clear sense of purpose and vision, as we remain focussed on developing a disciple making culture, as we seek God’s wisdom and direction, we will flourish and grow as the church God is calling us to be. This is not an unrealistic dream but it is grounded in our own experience of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

As I said I was excited last week as so many people were affirmed and commissioned into roles, and our desire for the Holy Spirit to bless and lead us in those roles. Friends it will be an interesting year, and one that I believe that God will bless and use us.

Blessings,

Brian

Click [Here](https://mailchi.mp/11bc7bcb7f85/newsletter-1927299)to read rest of newsletter Front and Centre

Front and Centre

What an exciting week we have ahead. School has resumed and so this Sunday we have our Kickstart which sees the launch of our children and youth activities for the year. Combined with that will be the commissioning of all of our ministry leaders and volunteers. As the year begins we will be commissioning our elders and Church Council members, and the various leaders and volunteers in our groups and ministries. It is our belief that we do not do this in our own strength but rather that is about being called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Therefore the commissioning includes time to pray, asking for God’s blessing. As I think about Sunday I am again amazed at the amount of talent and commitment that people have and are prepared to contribute to make Emmanuel the community that it is. Paul refers to the body of Christ (1 Cor 12) and reminds us that every member of the body is important and has a role to play. If you haven’t found your opportunity yet please think about how you would like to be involved. What are the skills and gifts that you bring and how would you like to offer them. If you aren’t sure or you want to volunteer please talk to one of the ministry team. As a church we believe in every member ministry, and that God has a calling on everyone. Part of our role as a ministry team is to facilitate people’s engagement and involvement. My hope and prayer is that everyone feels 1. Connected and 2. Fulfilled as we move into 2021. As a part of our commissioning and commitment service we will be invited to share the words of John Wesley’s covenant prayer. I leave you with those words to reflect upon:

I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;

put me to doing, put me to suffering;

let me be employed for you or laid aside for you;

exalted for you or brought low for you;

let me be full, let me be empty;

let me have all things, let me have nothing;

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things

to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours, to the glory and praise of your name. Amen.

Blessings,

Brian

Click [here](https://mailchi.mp/fe83545f0fa0/newsletter-1925227)to read the rest of the newsletter

Front and Centre

Welcome to the New Year, it will be interesting to see what 2021 has in store for us.

This week sees the resumption of the newsletter and a return to our regular two services on Sunday. Next week is kickstart and the commissioning of our leaders, volunteers and ministries. I look forward to seeing you there either in person or online. Realistically the issue of COVID will be with us all year, and even with vaccinations, the current cleaning and other procedures and restrictions will remain. For 2021 this will be the new normal. With the possibility, as we found last week, that there could be the imposition of sudden changes and increased restrictions for a defined period. Friends this is the new normal and we are working on how we live out our vison and purpose within this new normal.

There are certainly things that we are doing differently but now is the time to push into our purpose of growing disciples who exalt, explore, embody and engage. It has been great to explore this over the past 3 Sundays. COVID has disrupted some things but has also made us better at others. We now have a better online presence and are far better at doing meetings online if necessary. Our building is far cleaner and everyone is sharing in the responsibility with that. We have had to transition and a bit of changing of the guard as new people have stepped up into roles. All of this has been good. It is important that amidst all of the extra things we don’t lose sight of our vision and purpose. That we still want to be real people with a relevant faith for our community, and we want to grow disciples who will exalt, explore, embody and engage. As we continue into 2021 let’s not lose sight of the reason for our being both as individuals and as a church.

I am looking forward to a great year for us as a church. We will deal with challenges, we always have and we will flourish and grow through them. It will be a great year so please continue to uphold all that we do in prayer.

Blessings,

Brian

for the rest of the newsletter click [here](https://mailchi.mp/cafa79685a9c/newsletter-1923707)

Front and Centre

As we look back 2020 has been a long and challenging year. As a result of COVID nothing has been the same. It has been a fairly unique kind of year. Though we can not be certain what 2021 will look like it will at least initially contain more of the same. As much as it has been challenging I am grateful for what we have achieved in the past year. Several weeks ago we reflected on 1 Thessalonians which said ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-19.

As much as it has been a challenging year we also have much to be thankful for. As I look back to 2020 I am thankful to be here at Emmanuel with such an amazing group of people. I am excited about being a part of a church that wants to continue to focus on its mission and purpose, and as we head into 2021 that we will be re-emphasising what it means to be a church that focusses on growing disciples. I am excited that we have had new families join us in the past few months. We have made the transition to online services and hybrid services. People have collaborated and worked well together to deal with the various government and church requirements to keep everyone safe. At times it feels as though 2020 has been a year we have had to survive. But as we turn to 2021 it is time to turn from survive to thrive. We really want people to thrive in this coming year. To encourage people to continue to grow and deepen their faith. There will be an emphasis upon small groups as one of the most effective means to grow people as well as being more COVID safe. January will be re-visiting our purpose focussing on our four e’s of exalt, embody, engage and explore and unpacking what that means for us now.

2021 will continue to be challenging but we look forward with hope and promise to what God has in store.

Brian

To read the rest of the newsletter click [here](https://mailchi.mp/7dcb70d3658e/newsletter-1920735)

Front and Centre

Christmas is more than Christmas. You may wonder what I mean by that. As much as Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus some 2000 years ago, it is also far more than just that. Christmas has a past, a present and a future story to tell. The past we celebrate at carols and on Christmas eve and Christmas day. We come together to rejoice in the incarnation of God, in the coming to earth of Jesus and his birth in Bethlehem. But many of us stop there and if we stop there we have missed a good part of the story. Christmas has a present reality. It is also about the incarnation of Jesus every day in the lives of his followers. As we follow Jesus and seek to draw ourselves into his kingdom Jesus is being re-born or re-formed in us each day. So that means that every day is Christmas in the hearts and minds of those who believe. The incarnation, the God becoming flesh is ongoing as we follow Jesus and allow him to live in us.

But wait there is still more, because Christmas is also about the promise that Jesus will come again and our preparation for his second coming. There is a lot we don’t know about the second coming. We don’t know when or how, but we do know that the second coming will bring in the full expression of God’s reign and kingdom that we only see glimpses of now. The second coming will be the re-establishment of a new heaven and a new earth as God restores the creation to its full glory. How amazing will this be I can only imagine. But it is not something to be scared or afraid of. The second coming will bring about the fulfilment of God’s promise to restore his creation. For now we can only glimpse it dimly but soon we will see him face to face.

So Christmas has a past, a present, and a future reality that all speak of Jesus coming to earth. As much as the babe in the manger changed the course of history, Christmas is far more than a date in history, it is about a present and future reality. This Christmas have the courage to talk about the full expression of Christmas, of Jesus being alive in you, of Jesus coming again. There is so much going on at Christmas that we have to share. My hope and prayer as we celebrate Christmas that that you will experience and find comfort in the promises of God and the kingdom that he calls us into. God bless you all.

Brian

click [here](https://mailchi.mp/c6b0357d3072/newsletter-1919387)for rest of newsletter

Front and Centre

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:34-36

In many ways this passage from Matthew’s gospel stands at the heart of Community Helping Hand. CHH is one of the success stories of Emmanuel. Begun over 10 years ago CHH has become an important part of the fabric of Emmanuel. The effects of COVID have meant there has been more stress than normal on local people and families and so the Church Council have decided that this year CHH will be the recipient of all donations that are received from our Carols and Christmas Services. Each week needy individuals and families turn up at our door for food and financial assistance. Never intended to be more than a ‘helping hand’ a stop gap or emergency relief it has nevertheless become a lifeline for many of those struggling to make needs meet. This year nearly 1000 people will be assisted by CHH with 392 food hampers and nearly $5000 in vouchers given out. Last year the church spent nearly $7000 resourcing CHH of which nearly $4000 came in direct donations, and the rest from general revenue. There is also the donation of time, effort, and food by members of the congregation and volunteers. As such it is difficult to put an actual cost on CHH but it is in the order of $10,000 plus. The recipients of CHH are local people within our community that need a helping hand. Local people, who know that Emmanuel, or more particularly Helen, who is the friendly face that they meet when they come cares about them and wants to support them. Though Helen is the face of CHH there is a lot of work that goes on by the silent helpers in the background.

Every week two volunteers drive out to foodbank and collect food that can go into the support bags, and collect bananas or fruit so that Chappy Sarah can give out at Enoggera State School. There are currently 6 volunteer drivers who go out every 3-4 weeks and do the run out to Morningside. Then team of packers who again work on a rotation basis to fill the bags. When someone comes for assistance important statistical data is gathered and based upon family size and need they are given supplies and a small food voucher. COVID has placed extra stress upon our needy families but it has also placed pressure upon our volunteers. It has been exciting to see that we have had some new and younger volunteers come on board of late, but more volunteers would be helpful to work alongside our existing volunteers. There is a need for rejuvenation of our volunteer base for this vital ministry to continue. Can you play a part? As much as CHH helps local families in need it also provides a means for us to live out our faith in practical ways. It enables us to have a practical way to live out Matthew 25. I do give thanks for CHH and the work of the many members of Emmanuel who have given of time, talents and resources so that others may receive. This Christmas please think and pray about your involvement to continue this vital ministry.

Brian

To access rest of the newsletter click [here](https://mailchi.mp/fe4876c2721b/newsletter-1918139)

Front and Centre

Christmas is a beautiful time to remember how thankful and grateful we are. It is a great time of celebration as we prepare to celebrate both the birth of Jesus, and the truth that he will come again. A time when families get together. As a result of that however for a number of people Christmas can be a difficult time. There are families who have lost loved ones during the year. In the year following the loss of a loved ones there are a number of firsts. The first birthday, or Mothers or Father’s Day, or Christmas are all times where we feel more keenly the loss of those we love. The Service of Solace that we offer is a way of helping people acknowledge loss at this time. It is not just if something has happened this year, there are people who like to come every year and remember and honour those they love. This year COVID has changed many lives and families and for most of us our family gatherings will be different. Those with families overseas are learning to skype and connect electronically. It’s not the same but it a way of connecting. COVID has other effects. Some people have lost employment and though government assistance has helped many families are struggling financially and our Community Helping Hand is one way that we seek to assist people. Your continuing support financially or with time and skills enables this ministry to continue and people’s lives to be changed for the better. Thank you to Ros and Helen and the team. Through the hampers of hope and joy we have been able to reach to needy families who are a part of Community Helping hand or have sought assistance from our local school chaplains. Thank you again to Ross and the team who have facilitated this. There are many local families who will have a better Christmas because of the work that people from Emmanuel do. Thank you to Judy and her team who have sought to make life a better place for the people of Noro in Solomon Islands. We can rightly be proud of what we do but also be aware that there is still much need out there. Take some time this Christmas to pray for those who are in need. For those refugees and those seeking asylum, for those in quarantine waiting for permission to go home, for those who live rough on the streets. Though we cannot meet everyone’s needs we need to start somewhere and make a difference? Thank you to those members of our congregation who do just that. In this Advent/ Christmas season think about how you can enrich and bless the life of at least one other person. Share with them the truth of Emmanuel, meaning God with us this Christmas.

Brian

for rest of the newsletter Click [here](https://mailchi.mp/1c251ed6680f/newsletter-1917727)