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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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February 2007 |
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Brekky-fest @ St John's, LauncestonThe 2006 Brekky-fest was a personal journey for Jude Maslin. Do you ever make a decision to do something, and then not far down the path you realise you are really doing something more? The doors are opening, ideas are floated, and before long, you realise the path is going to be longer, wider and bumpier than you had bargained for! My God is a great big God…But it seems he knows my vision starts small. He gives me 'enough rope' to deal with at a time. Well, that's how it is with Brekky-fest. It started last year when Lisa Spotswood and I decided we would 'take on' the fair, and raise some money to enable Buddies (playgroup) to build a fenced play area. Our vision was an family/fun event on the morning of the Launceston Christmas Parade. Along the way, our project developed us and others. All was good. We thought we would only cover costs, so we were very excited to make a profit the first event. However, that was when we were told by the Parish Exec. that the funds raised must be given away. We would need to ask the congregation to address the needs of the playgroup! We were disheartened. We are not the sort of people to be asking for things. We are capable, self sufficient. But now, we were supposed to ask in faith. Why does it seem so much easier to just go and fundraise? Weren't we making an effort to raise the profile of St John's and the playgroup? It hurt. The decision to 'take on' the fair had led us down a path and shown us a mission, but many of the bumps were personal; issues we needed to learn on a personal basis. I have trouble relying on others, and I needed to trust God to provide. Now in 2006 you would think a second event would be easy. After all, the people of St John's were enthusiastic for a repeat… Wrong!It was very hard to get commitments for assistance, and my application to reroute the parade was ignored. Well, when the going gets tough… A few times I really did feel despondent; I would wonder who I was coordinating this for (was it me?). Sometimes I would put it aside for a few days. … 'be still and know that I am God.' (Ps 46) Each time I did this I would wake in the night, compelled that Brekky-fest needed to happen. This would be confirmed the next day by a phone call or email from an outside organisation eager to be involved. Well, of course it did happen. In time I did get help. The sun was brighter, the crowd was bigger - and hungrier! Our activities were more fun. More outside organisations took part. Even the Examiner thought we were worth a visit! How can we measure our impact?Some people from local businesses who supplied us also attended. New families came to Buddies, some to the Sunday Services. Christmas at St John's was bigger this year! Friendships have been formed in our congregation - 'in mission' All of the invited stall holders have asked to be included again. The helpers from Riverlinks 'built a bridge' across the river for Anglicans! Profit was not our priority, but we have given $4500 to TEAR Fund, BCA, Fusion Tas, SU, The Donkey Ministry and the Lilydale Playground Project. A team has formed to work on the 2007 event! The parish council committed to raise their support of Buddies playgroup! So what is the mission now? Well you see, I don't know. I think God keeps adding bits! It seems it is a personal journey.It is an in-mission of the people of St John's to know each other It is a mission to the people of Launceston. It is our opportunity to collaborate, and raise the profile of small mission groups We still have the original mission to develop Buddies as a playgroup. 'So in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to all the others.' Romans 12:5 Please pray for this ongoing multi-mission.
Next Brekky-fest will be in November. If you would like to take part you can contact us here. |
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