News......
COMING EVENTS 2009:
For full details of our coming events please visit the Activities section of this site
11.10.2008 - 15th ANNIVERSARY
Our History
NEW WAY COMMUNITY CHAPEL officially commenced operation in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday 13th October 1994 with a BBQ, gathering and information evening at the Kangaroo Point cliffs in Brisbane. Then, on every Sunday evening since Sunday 16th October 1994 New Way Community Chapel has held a public Worship service.
The date, 13th October is significant because on that day in 1978 a Pastor Byram Hine. (since deceased), commenced a group then known as Crosslink Congregational Chapel. This mission has now ceased to exist but New Way Community Chapel has sought to be the continuation of that work by faithfully upholding the aims, principles and goals of Crosslink Chapel.
New Way Community Chapel has always sought to be an independent and non-denominational Christian group which is totally accepting of ALL people, taking for a Covenant these words based on Matthew 22:36-40 and Luke 10:25-28:-
COVENANT
"WE, THE PEOPLE OF NEW WAY COMMUNITY CHAPEL, DO COVENANT WITH GOD AND WITH ONE ANOTHER TO TRY TO LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, SOULS, MINDS AND STRENGTH, AND OUR NEIGHBOURS AS OUR SELVES; TO PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD TO AU PEOPLE THROUGH WORD AND ACTION TO STRIVE FOR THE PROGRESS OF KNOWLEDGE AND FOR THE PROMOTION OF JUSTICE AND PEACE. AMEN"
We would not seek to turn any person away and openly welcome;
People from the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bi-sexual communities;
Those who have felt shunned by mainstream Churches; and
Persons who for one reason or another have been oppressed by society.
In much of the advertising undertaken by New Way Community Chapel the slogan "A place where you are always welcome" has been successfully used to describe the fundamental characteristic of the Chapel.
WE BELIEVE in God, in Jesus Christ and the Spirit as God’s power on the world today.
0UR FAITH is based on the Bible as God’s inspired word as revealed in Jesus Christ and made known to us today by the Holy Spirit.
WE SEEK to proclaim God’s unfailing love to all and would actively support social justice issues, human rites and an end to discrimination in our society.
LAY
PARTICIPATION is a fundamental part of our worship and is an active expression of our concept of the PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS.
As well as holding weekly Worship services, New Way Community Chapel has been able to maintain a crisis food pantry and a social calendar with various events such as BBQ’s and fishing excursions, CityCat rides, dinners, Fish & Chip nights, video and discussion nights and including visits to individual members homes. These ‘Drop-in Nights’ are held on the third Friday of each month, February to November. A Prayer/Bible Study/discussion night is held on the first Monday of each month. Also a monthly Worship is conducted by pastor David at the "Tree Tops" nursing home & retirement complex in New Farm on the first Tuesday of each month (except November).
Our worship is somewhat informal and relaxed with ample time for individual expression, prayer, singing and reading from the Bible. Sermons are kept short and soundly based on the scripture portion chosen via "The Revised Common Lectionary (2000)". Each year has come under a different slogan i.e.
2006 'COME AS YOU ARE & PUT NEW WAY COMMUNITY CHAPEL 1ST IN 2006'
2005 'WITH OPEN ARMS & PRAYERFUL HEARTS IN 2005'
2004 'YEAR OF CELEBRATION - OUR 10th YEAR"
2003 'YEAR OF INCREASE'
- 2002 'TOGETHER WE STAND'
- 2001 ‘OUR YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY'
- 2000
'DOORS AND WINDOWS'
1999 'LEADING BY FOLLOWING CLOSELY'
1998 ‘LEADING THE WAY’
Since inception New Way Community Chapel was privileged to meet in the Toc H rooms within the SWARA Complex, 61 College Road Spring Hill BRISBANE. However Sunday 29th January 2006 saw our final Worship Service in these rooms - the building having been deemed unsafe for use by the public. On Sunday 5th February 2006, New Way Community Chapel moved to a temporary space still with the SWARA Complex (due to the generosity of SWARA). We were conveniently situated just after Roma Street Parklands but before the Normanby Five Ways. Still Services commenced at 7.OOpm but were preceded by fellowship at 6.OOpm.
The Chapel is run along venerable Congregational lines by a monthly Business Meeting of interested parties. All matters arising are put, discussed and decided upon by a simple majority of persons present.
NEW WAY COMMUNITY CHAPEL - ON THE MOVE
Sunday 30th July 2006 was the final night for New Way in the College Road premises.
As from Sunday 6th August 2006, New Way Community Chapel will meet at 351 Wickham Terrace Spring Hill which is next to the Theosophical Society but entry is via Lilley Street Spring Hill. New Way Community Chapel still gathers at 6.00pm for fellowship and from 7.00pm for Worship every Sunday night of the year at our meeting space in Wickham Terrace.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to anyone who has been attending the chapel and an applicant may be approved for membership having regard for the following criteria:-
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
IN SO FAR AS POSSIBLE AN APPLICANT REQUESTING MEMBERSHIP OF NEW WAY COMMUNITY CHAPEL SHALL;
a) profess a belief in God & have a personal faith in Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour
b) live a wholesome, sincere, honest and peaceful life under the continued guidance & direction of the Holy Spirit
c) attend when able and support the Services and other functions held under the auspice of New Way Community Chapel
d) have a commitment to promote & uphold the characteristic Christian spirit and belief of the Chapel
e) be willing to support & uphold the honour, discipline and work of the Chapel by the giving of the members time, talents and resources and
f) have convinced by word, thought, deed and action a majority of the Management Committee/Business Meeting members present that the applicant has demonstrated a general compliance with and support for a majority of the above five (5) membership criteria before approval is given for acceptance and formal admission and induction as a member
THE NEWLY ACCEPTED MEMBER SHALL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF THEIR FAITH AND COMMITMENT TO THE CHAPEL AT A WORSHIP SERVICE."
"Click On The Small Pictures To Bring Up The Full Size Picture"
New Way community Chapel commemorated five (5) years of ministry on Sunday 10th October 1999 with a Service of celebration followed by an evening meal at Sizzlers, Toowong. Eighteen people pictured below attended this event.
New Way makes a new member. Here Robert receives his membership certificate from Pastor David
New Way Community Chapel celebrated our 6th Anniversary on the 15th October 2000. Pictured below is the group of people who enjoyed an anniversary dinner again at Sizzlers Toowong Village.
On the 14th October 2001 this happy group of people were among those who celebrated the 7th Anniversary of New Way Community Chapel again at Sizzlers - Toowong Village.
26 People attended the New Way Community Chapel 8th Anniversary on Sunday the 13th October 2002 with a smorgasbord dinner at 5:30 pm and a Worship Service at 7 pm. Father Illtyd Loveluck was the guest speaker and Mr. Rex Bowen the soloist.
The ninth (9th) Anniversary of New Way Community Chapel was held on 12th October 2003. Eighteen (18) people attended and Pastor David Morris was the guest speaker.
Ten (10) years of service and ministry to the community was celebrated by New Way Community Chapel on Sunday 10th October 2004. Twenty-one (21) people attended a smorgasbord dinner which was followed by a Worship Service. A choir was formed to sing at this occasion and Fr. Illtyd Loveluck was the guest speaker.
Our 11th Anniversary took place on Sunday 9th October 2005 when twenty-three (23) people happily joined together to celebrate this milestone in our history. Our Worship Service was preceded by sumptuous meal prepared by Dorothy. Lewis from the Twelfth Night Theatre was our guest speaker on this occasion.
On the 8th October 2006 twenty-three (23) people celebrated the 12th anniversary of New Way Community Chapel. The Celebration Worship Service was preceded at 5.00pm by a picnic-in-the-park held across the road from our new Worship venue in the Roma Street Parklands precinct on Wickham Terrace. Our guest speaker for the Worship Service was Rev. Jim Tame. After the Worship Service a joyous season of fellowship took place. Tea, coffee and delicious fruit cake made by Kevin was served to all.
The 13th Anniversary celebrations of New Way Community Chapel was held on Sunday 7th October 2007. Sixteen (16) people enjoyed an interesting Worship Service of celebration which concluded with supper. Robert constructed a floral arrangement accompanied by words of encouragement and Pastor David gave the gospel message entitled "ANNIVERSARIES - A Special Time" based on Luke 17:5, 6 & 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Pastor David reflected on the Anniversaries of when he met many of the People of New Way for the first time and the years that had past. He ended his message referring to words from Hebrews 12 saying; "If we never take our eyes off Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish, then he will lead us on into the future of New Way Community Chapel. Anniversaries are special times in our lives. At this 13th Anniversary let us each resolve to always keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith."
On Sunday the 12th of October 2008, New Way Community Chapel celebrated 14 years of ministry. Twelve (12) people attended this event. In our Worship, Mr Trevor Bond was the speaker. Trevor urged us on to grasp and seek new opportunities and go for growth in years ahead. The gathering was followed by supper.