Welcome to the EBA monthly e- bulletin. I hope you find this helpful in being kept up to date with
News from around the region and events that are happening.
January 2018
News
Potential Fraud alert
Baptists together have alerted us to a potential fraud risk that he been reported over the last month. Asking churches to make payments to Baptist Together or Associations urgently- these emails look like they come from a legitimate source and have led churches to make payments. If you receive an email asking for urgent or immediate payment from Baptist Together or EBA this is likely to be a scam please double check with a known person before making any payment.
Obviously it is up to each of our respective organisations to consider how best to make sure you are resilient to such an attack, but you might want to consider:
1) the procedures you use to check and approve payments prior to release (e.g. a second pair of eyes on a payment will often catch these frauds)
2) the security of your email systems and their resilience to hacking
3) alerting your staff/volunteers, especially those involved in finances, to this type of attack
No system is every completely resilience to fraud and criminal activity, but hopefully by being aware of the threat we can be forearmed. If you do come across an attempted or successful fraud, I suggest you report it to the police via the Action Fraud website (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/)
Baptist Assembly Stewards
12 May 2018, Peterborough Each year Baptist Assembly are superbly served by a number of people who volunteer to be stewards at the event and this year is no different. Baptist Assembly are looking for a stewarding team of 20 – 25 people. Are one of these you? Perhaps there are others in your church who would like to be involved?
Stewards need to be:-
· over 18 years of age
· have a general level of fitness as there is a lot of standing involved.
· be available from 8.30am until 7.30pm on Saturday 12th May
· And need to have the support of their Minister or Church secretary to be involved in the event.
In return, stewards will receive free entry into the event, refreshments throughout the day and a packed lunch. Please contact admin@baptistassembly.org.uk to register your interest.
Baptist Pension Roadshow
The webinar from the recent pension roadshows can still be found at this following link http://ow.ly/B8lk30gBbKf
Association Events/ Dates
Safeguarding training
Combined Level 2 and Level 3 Training
Dates for 2018 so far
3 February, Melbourn Baptist Church
10 February, Christ Church, Stock
17 March, Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester
21 April, Barnwell Baptist Church, Cambridge
28 April, Oxlow Lane Baptist Church, Dagenham
28 April, Burlington Baptist Church, Ipswich
22 September, Wymondham Baptist Church, Norfolk
Cost £10 per person per level attended. Please book with secretary@easternbaptist.org.uk
Modern Slavery Summits
More details can be found on the EBA website
27 January 2018 – Norwich
3 March 2018 – Cambridge
17 March2018 – Chelmsford
EBA Ministers Conference 2018
19-21 February. High Leigh Conference Centre. Bookings are coming in fast – don’t miss out book before the end of January.
EBA Mentor Training
20 March 2018, Venue TBC. This training is designed for anyone who wishes to offer their time to become a mentor for a Newly Accredited Minister. This event is an introductory event and is aimed at anyone who hasn’t attended EBA mentor training in the past. A further training session later in the year is being organized for all current mentors and those who attend this session.
Other Events and Information
Cinnamon Trust
Micro grants worth £2,000 for Cinnamon Recognised Projects such as Germinate Enterprise, Foodbanks, Parish Nursing, etc. (see the full list at http://www.cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/projects/) are now available for churches in Suffolk. Go to http://www.cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/cinnamon-micro-grants-suffolk/ for more information.
Partnership for missional church
There is an opportunity for one or two Baptist churches in the EBA to join the Diocese of Ely as they embark on ‘Partnership for Missional Church’. This is a three year learning community run by the Church Mission Society for churches who are looking to become missional in their way of being church (see www.churchmissionsociety.org/partnership-missional-church for more information). Gatherings would be in Cambridgeshire, and the first of these (an introduction) would be on Saturday Feb 24th (Morning only) at Over Community Centre. The first cluster gathering itself is 18/19May 2018, and the second gathering is on 27/28 October 2018. The cost is £750 per church per year, but it is possible to apply for a £400 bursary (from the Eastern Region Training Partnership) towards this cost. For more information please contact the Ely Diocese (Revd. Mike Booker on mike.booker@elydiocese.org or Peter Wood on peter.wood@elydiocese.org) but please also copy Simon Goddard simon.goddard@easternbaptist.org.uk into the message so that he is aware of your interest (the bursary applications will need Simon’s approval).
Training day being inclusive to those with additional needs
27 January 2018, Frinton free Church, Led by Mark Arnold from Urban saints, and three specialists from Market Field School. To book please visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/being-inclusive-training-for-childrens-and-youth-workers-registration-41081278209?aff=es2
Cambridge Baptist Missionary Fellowship
5 February 2018, 7.30pm. Histon Baptist Church. Prayer meeting with speakers including Kathy Russell a solicitor working in Mozambique, Revd Beth Powney EBA regional minister and others who are currently working in Northeast Asia.
Suffolk Theology Forum
8 February 2018. 7.30-9.15pm Speaker Dr Russell Re-Manning on “Is theology natural? Exploring whether we are all born theologians” Cost £5. Co-op Education centre, Ipswich.
Rural Ministries Regional Conference
10 February 2018. Please visit the EBA website for more details
Faith in Seniors – a glorious opportunity
17 March 2018, Romford Baptist church, 10am-3pm. £10 per person. A range of topics opening up a Biblical view of God’s purposes in later life, including practical and spiritual support for those affected by dementia etc. Hosted by Pilgrims Friend www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk
Y-Pray, A women’s world day of prayer initiative
4-6 May 2018. Kings Park conference centre. Places are limited so book now! Visit www.wwdp.org.uk/ Y-PRAY is sponsored by the Women’s World Day of Prayer – England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is aimed at Young women.
Opportunities
Romford Baptist Church are seeking a Minister with focus on Children, Youth and Families Or Worker for Children, Youth and Families (£25,000.00 – £27,000.00)
To join our Ministry Team at this exciting, large multi-ethnic church on the edge of London. Heading up our substantial children, youth and families ministries, you need to be an excellent communicator, well organised and have a proven track record. You will also need to be self-motivated and a team player.
Full details about the church and how to apply can be obtained from Revd Ian Bunce (Team Leader) at ibunce@romfordbaptist.org.uk
Vellore (India) Link youth trip summer 2018 (Cambridgeshire churches only)
There are still a few places on the youth (16-25 year olds) mission trip to Vellore in the summer with Cambridgeshire ecumenical council. Please contact Simon Goddard simon.goddard@easternbaptist.org.uk for more information if you know someone who may be interested. Bookings need to be confirmed by the end of January 2018.
2nd October 2018
30th August 2018
27th June 2018
