TABERNACLE Baptist Church is celebrating their 150th anniversary on November 1 and 2.

150 years ago some dedicated members of Bethany Baptist Chapel, which can still be seen in the centre of Howells, House of Fraser store in Cardiff, were sent out to establish a worshipping Baptist community in Penarth. That community established Tabernacle Baptist Church (aka TABS) which meets in Plassey Street in Penarth.

This weekend TABS is marking this anniversary and the start of this year of celebration with a special day of prayer on Saturday, November 1 and its anniversary services at 10.30am and 6pm on Sunday, November 2. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate this momentous anniversary for the church. The church has played an active role in Penarth throughout its existence and this anniversary year will mark that and it's continued commitment to the community in the future.

TABS is delighted that they will be joined by Chris Ellis the current president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain who will be leading the day of prayer and preaching at both anniversary services.

Chris trained at Regent’s Park College and began his pastoral ministry in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, in 1972. Chris later ministered in Rumney, Cardiff, before joining the team of an ecumenical congregation in the centre of Swindon in 1981. This role included working as a town-centre chaplain, ministering in various stores as well as with the local police, social services and the voluntary sector, and he became increasingly involved in ecumenical initiatives. In 1990 he was called to Cemetery Road, Sheffield, an inner city church with a multi-ethnic congregation. During his 10 years of ministry there his faith was deepened by Charismatic renewal and cancer surgery. From 2000 he was principal of Bristol Baptist College until his call to West Bridgford, Nottingham, where he is currently the pastor.

At various points in his ministry, Chris has reflected and written about the challenges and opportunities of that ministry. He shared in the editing of Gathering for Worship (a favourite Baptist text book for services) and, before that, Patterns and Prayers, and has written a number of hymns. He has written books on worship and on ecumenism, as well as chapters and articles on ministry, renewal, Baptist principles and spirituality. His ministry includes speaking and teaching, as well as spiritual direction, and Chris is passionately concerned that mission and the life and witness of the churches should flow from our encounter with God.

The people of Tabs would love you to join them this weekend but, if not, there will be other events to mark this anniversary which you will be able to attend.