LRBC News

Harvest 2024: Celebrating God’s Goodness at Leigh Road Baptist Church

Posted on October 3, 2024 by admin

Hanli holds up a small and large tomato — *Hanli giving the Harvest talk inspired by tomatoes*

Harvest time is a wonderful season to reflect on the blessings in our lives, and at Leigh Road Baptist Church, we gathered to do just that—celebrating the goodness of God together. This year’s Harvest service was filled with gratitude, community spirit, and joyful moments. Let’s take a look at the highlights and lessons from our all-age service.

Two women stand behind a harvest flower arrangement they have created. — *Jenny and Dawn with their Harvest flower arrangements*

The sanctuary looking and smelling wonderful thanks to the immensely creative flower arranging team, thank you Jenny, Dawn on arranging and Martin on growing produce.

Part 1: A Time to Say Thank You

We kicked off our service with a fun question: “What is your favourite fruit?” The answers sparked conversation and smiles across the congregation, leading us to the heart of Harvest—celebrating God’s abundance and pausing to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy.

At Harvest, we’re reminded that God is good, and His provision is always with us. To reflect on this, we turned to Psalm 136, which declares:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

*People bring their donations of food to forward to the front of church for Harvest*

This year, we saw a beautiful outpouring of generosity. Thank you to everyone for their harvest gifts! It was the largest amount of food we have ever collected, and all of it was donated to the Southend Food Bank. Additionally, we raised an incredible £676 for the Southend CAP Debt Advice Centre—an amazing reflection of our community’s heart for helping others.

Part 2: Quiz Time – The Mystery of the Tomato

As part of the service, we hosted a quiz featuring different fruits and vegetables. The tomato sparked the most discussion! Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Did you know it’s technically a berry? We also learned that tomatoes are the most consumed fruit worldwide—versatile, full of flavour, and found everywhere!

The tomato became a metaphor for God’s blessings in our lives. Just as tomatoes come in different shapes, sizes, and flavours, so do God’s blessings. Some are sweet, some unexpected, but all are good. Here are a few fun facts we shared:

The record for most tomatoes grown on a single plant in the UK is 5,891!
A single tomato can contain between 150-300 seeds, showing us how many blessings we might miss if we don’t take a closer look.

The Harvest Lesson from the Tomato

So why tomatoes this Harvest? Because they offer unique insights into God’s goodness:

God’s Blessings Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
Just like tomatoes come in all forms, God’s blessings in our lives are diverse. Whether big or small, they are all a reflection of His care.
We Don’t Always Recognise a Blessing Right Away
Just as we might not think of a tomato as a berry, we don’t always recognize God’s blessings at first. But in time, we realize He gives us exactly what we need.
Countless Blessings
Like counting tomato seeds, trying to count God’s blessings is nearly impossible—they are abundant and often go unnoticed.
God’s Goodness is Everywhere
Tomatoes are found worldwide, reminding us that God’s goodness surrounds us, wherever we are.
Unique Blessings for Each of Us
Just as tomatoes vary in taste and texture, God’s blessings are tailored for each of us. He provides what we need in the “essence of deliciousness”—a perfect balance.

Celebrating with Our Church Family

Three women hold up their baked cakes in front of a backdrop of tomatoes — *The Harvest bake-off winners*

Harvest this year wasn’t just about reflecting on blessings—it was about sharing them too! A big thank you to everyone who baked for Sunday refreshments, and to those talented bakers who entered our Bake-off competition. Here are the winners:
🥇 1st place: Dawn R – A chocolatey bake that rose above the rest!
🥈 2nd place: Dawn T – A slice of strawberry heaven!
🥉 3rd place: Nicola P – A carrot bake that made Peter Rabbit proud!

Quiz master asks two team reps a question at front of quiz gathering — *Name that tune: Nick W and Jon P on keys for quiz and fish*

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped organize our Quiz Night with Fish & Chips on Saturday evening and to those who came along to support it. It was a night filled with fun, fellowship, and a great reminder of the strength of our community.

A Call to Thankfulness

Psalm 136 reminds us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.” This Harvest, whether you’re enjoying a tomato in a salad or marvelling at its many characteristics, let it be a reminder of the countless blessings God gives us each day.

As we wrap up our Harvest celebrations, may you see God’s goodness as clearly and brightly as the biggest tomato ever grown. Happy Harvest from all of us at Leigh Road Baptist Church! Let’s continue to celebrate the blessings God pours into our lives—today and always.

Watch Hanli’s Harvest Talk 2024

Posted in Church Gatherings and Services, Church services, Events, Harvest, LRBC, News | Tagged Leigh Road Baptist Church | Leave a comment

Barnabas Midweek gathering at Leigh Road Baptist Church Raises £150 for MacMillan Cancer Support

Posted on September 26, 2024 by admin

Four ladies serves cake, tea and coffee from behind a table full or cakes and Macmillan Cancer Support quiz sheet. — *(L-R) Maureen Small, Marion Prigg, Margaret Fisk, Cecilia Bell raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support*

Recently, the Barnabas Midweek devotional group of Leigh Road Baptist Church hosted a Coffee Morning and cake sale to support Macmillan Cancer Support, successfully raising £150. The event saw a wonderful turnout, with attendees enjoying a quiz, an array of delicious cakes, and the opportunity to connect with others in the community.

The Barnabas group meets every Tuesday afternoon, providing a space for fellowship, encouragement, and friendship. It is open to everyone and offers a welcoming midweek devotional with sung worship, where people can share experiences, support each other, and enjoy a range of activities and talks from local and international Christian charities and churches. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or simply enjoy a cup of tea and a chat, the Barnabas group is a great place to be.

Cecilia Bell, a member of the Barnabas group, expressed her delight at the event’s success: “We’re so pleased with how the morning went. It’s fantastic to see so many people come together for such an important cause. The support we’ve received has been amazing, and we’re delighted to contribute to MacMillan’s vital work.”

MacMillan Coffee Mornings are a nationwide initiative, raising funds for cancer support through local community events like this one.

To learn more about Barnabas midweek gathering and how you can get involved, visit this webpage.

For more information on MacMillan’s Coffee Mornings, check out their website: www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee-morning

Posted in Community work, Events, LRBC, News, Pre-school | Leave a comment

Leigh Road Baptist Church Pre-School Celebrates 50 Years of God’s Provision and Blessings

Posted on September 19, 2024 by admin

Candles are blown out by small girl with her Mum on the 50th anniversary cake while Hanlie looks on.

The blowing out of the 50th Anniversary candles

Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) is joyfully celebrating a significant milestone—the 50th anniversary of its Pre-school, a ministry that has impacted generations of local children and families. As we reflect on this half-century of service, we recognise God’s provision and blessing throughout the journey.

The celebration as part of the LRBC weekly Sunday service was marked with a gathering filled with cake, candles, balloons, prayer and heartfelt memories. Mala, one of the cherished members of the community, played a special part in making the day even more memorable by blowing out the candles on the anniversary cake.

Founded on Monday, April 30, 1973, LRBC Pre-school started humbly with just 16 children per session, three sessions a week, and four staff members. The fees were 30p per session, and one memorable early discussion involved the approval of the pre-school’s toilet facilities! Even the Baptistry immersion heater was used to warm water for washing hands—a detail that surely deserves a photo, though none was taken.

Minutes from the first LRBC-playgroup-pre-school committee meeting back in 1973

But the question remains—why did LRBC begin this playgroup-turned-pre-school? It was Mrs. Rosemary Wood who first suggested the idea, which was brought before the church in January 1973. The church vision was clear: the pre-school would benefit the local community, provide a Christian-based, but open to all, environment for children, and serve as an outreach to local families.

Past and present staff and volunteers at the pre-school stand on the stage for a photo

Some of the LRBC Pre-school staff past and present who attended the anniversary celebration

From these small beginnings, the pre-school grew steadily. By its 20th anniversary, it had 45 children on the register, holding five sessions a week. Today, the numbers are even more impressive: 63 children, 10 staff members, and eight weekly sessions, with about 30 children per session. Over the past 50 years, the pre-school has welcomed an estimated 2,000 children through its doors.

Despite the many changes in facilities, staff, and students over the years, some things have remained constant. LRBC Pre-school has always had dedicated staff who have worked hard to serve local families. The families, in turn, have shared their stories and lives with the pre-school, while God’s hand of blessing has been evident throughout its history.

This legacy continues today. Our pre-school staff remain committed to providing a loving, supportive environment for children and their families. The volunteer steering group offers guidance and support, and we continue to welcome new families with open arms. Seeing parents’ worries turn into smiles as their children settle in reminds us of the important work we do.

Andrew Palmer, Chair of the LRBC Pre-school Steering Group, shared these reflective words:

“As we celebrate 50 years of Leigh Road Baptist Church Pre-school, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in providing for this ministry over the decades. From its humble beginnings to the thriving pre-school we see today, it has always been a place where children are nurtured, families are supported, and God’s love is shared.
I want to personally thank our dedicated staff—past and present—who have given so much to this work. Your care, commitment, and passion are what make this pre-school the blessing it is to the community. You continue to embody the heart of this ministry, and we are deeply grateful for all you do.
As we reflect on the past and look to the future, we trust in God’s plan for the pre-school and pray that He will continue to guide and bless us for many years to come.”

As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we acknowledge everyone who has been part of this journey: the founders, staff (past and present), children, parents, volunteer steering group members, church members, ministers, and all those who have faithfully prayed for the pre-school. We thank you for your contribution, and recognise you all for the part you’ve played.

We praise God for the privilege of hosting an on-site pre-school, and we seek His continued guidance and blessing as we move forward. This anniversary is a testament to the faith, courage, and commitment of those who have worked to build and sustain this ministry over the years.

As we look to the future, we are excited for what God has in store for LRBC Pre-school. We pray that He will allow us to continue this important work for many more years to come.

Onlookers study the display of photos and scrapbooks of pre-school over the years

More past LRBC Pre-school staff and volunteers enjoy looking through the old photos.

After the service, all were invited to visit the display of photos and scrapbooks, speak with former staff, parents, and children, and enjoy the selection of cakes brought in to mark this special day.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this celebration. We give all the glory to God for His faithfulness over the past 50 years and trust Him for the years ahead.

Posted in Children's & Family Work, Children's and Family Work, Children's Work, Community work, Families Work, News, Pre-school, Press release, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Old Leigh Regatta Welcomes Thousands with Help from LRBC Volunteers

Posted on September 18, 2024 by David Elcock

The much-anticipated return of the Old Leigh Regatta saw over 10,000 people gather for a weekend of fun, excitement, and community spirit. After a five-year hiatus, this beloved event made its comeback, featuring a variety of activities that brought joy to people of all ages.

The regatta, held along the picturesque old town waterfront, was a spectacular affair. Visitors enjoyed water sports, live music, and traditional games, alongside numerous charity fundraising stalls. Highlights included paddleboarding races, sailing displays, and even a funfair, making it a day to remember for everyone involved.

Old Leigh Regatta Photo credit: Sean Buckley @seanbphotography_uk — Old Leigh Regatta 2024
Photo credit: Sally Willcock

Our thanks to Sean Buckley (@seanbphotography_uk) who captured these wonderful photos over a long weekend. Follow Sean’s community photography on his website – seanbphotography.co.uk

Among the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event a success were members of Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC). Church volunteers assisted as programme sellers, stage crew, and in logistics, helping ensure the weekend ran smoothly.

David Elcock, Community Worker at LRBC, expressed the church’s gratitude in being part of this local tradition. “It was so good to help as a church in some small way with the return of the Old Leigh Regatta after a five-year break. The weekend was a spectacular affair, with water sports, fundraising fun, live music, and a wonderful community atmosphere for all ages. Roll on 2025! Our thanks to the volunteers and sea scouts that brought it back and worked so tirelessly over the year to ensure the Regatta was a success.”

Marcus Dean, Chairman of the Regatta, shared his thoughts on the event’s successful return: “To see so many people enjoying themselves is what makes this regatta so special. This is an event the community truly owns and loves. After five years, the excitement and energy were even greater, and we are so grateful to all who helped make it happen.”

With the community’s continued support, the Old Leigh Regatta is set to remain a key event in the town’s calendar, bringing together residents and visitors in celebration of local culture and charity. Here’s to many more regattas to come!

Posted in Community work, Events, Old Leigh Regatta, Press release | Tagged Old Leigh Regatta | Leave a comment

An evening with the Artists | ‘Faith in Art’ | Open Summer Exhibition

Posted on August 28, 2024 by David Elcock

An evening with the Artists

Faith in Art: An Evening with the Artists

On the evening of Tuesday 27 August, Leigh Road Baptist Church hosted an unforgettable event, Faith in Art: An Evening with the Artists. The exhibition, which is part of the wider Open Summer Exhibition 2024, saw artists, friends, family, and members of the general public come together to celebrate the intersection of faith and creativity. The church’s exhibition space was filled with lively discussions about the artwork on display and the deep, thought-provoking issues and meanings each piece raised.

The atmosphere was electric, with free refreshments ensuring the drinks flowed, adding to the convivial spirit of the evening. Visitors were not only treated to a feast for the eyes but also for the ears, with newly released music playing throughout the night, touching on themes of faith, life, and the myriad emotions that lie in between.

Jane Brooks, one of the artists exhibiting her work, summed up the evening perfectly, saying, “Well, that was rather marvellous, thanks for organising the exhibition and making it happen. It goes without saying that I loved it… so much art and community in the same place.” Another visitor echoed the sentiment, expressing how deeply they were moved by the space and the artwork on display.

One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for visitors to step inside the LRBC Sanctuary, where six life-size replicas of world-famous Christian artworks were on display. These masterpieces included:

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt
Christ of St. John of the Cross by Salvador Dali
The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet
Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Light of the World by Holman Hunt
Return of the Prodigal by Rembrandt

These pieces have been the subject of Sunday morning talks throughout the summer, each serving as a visual gateway to explore the deeper messages within the Christian faith as part of Leigh Road Baptist Church’s weekly gatherings.

Andrew Cowley, Minister of LRBC expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are immensely grateful to the more than 40 artists who contributed to our inaugural Faith in Art Open Exhibition. Their incredible creativity ignited meaningful conversations and inspired many to reflect on the profound questions that life presents. It was truly wonderful to witness the works of established artists showcased alongside the vibrant artwork of Darlinghurst Academy school children in the windows, creating a beautiful tapestry of artistic expression and community.”

The evening was a triumph of community, creativity, and contemplation, blending art and faith in a way that resonated with everyone who attended. As the exhibition continues until Sunday, we look forward to seeing how these conversations will develop and what new inspirations will emerge from this unique fusion of art and spirituality.

Our thanks to Sean Buckley (@seanbphotography_uk) who captured these wonderful photos of the evening and exhibition. Follow Sean’s community photography in his website – seanbphotography.co.uk

When else can I see the exhibition?

The exhibition is open to the public every Sunday morning across late July and August from 10am to 12:30pm. The finals Sunday to view will be Sunday 1st September.

Faith in Art 2024 | 28 July – 1 September 2024

As part of summer Church Leigh Road Baptist Church has hosted a ‘Faith in Art’ Open Submission Summer Exhibition in the church windows and welcome area across late July and August.

The show makes space for and welcomed submissions from all; established local artists, emerging talent, schools and hobbyists of all ages.

We believe the exhibition showcases a breadth and diversity of work using acrylics, oils, watercolours, gouache, pen and ink, crayon, photography, spray can, airbrush, pastels and mixed media.

The Theme: Faith in Art

The Bible and Christianity have long been an inspiration for artists from Michelangelo and Rembrandt to 21 century contemporary artists. This new exciting exhibition seeks to invite artists to interpret, ask questions, raise doubts, tell of the hope, depict stories of the Bible in a creative way, based on their own faith, culture and experience.

We hope to create a richer dialogue through arts about the big questions of life and faith.

Summer Faith in Art Talks

Across the Summer, the LRBC Sunday morning gatherings have looked upon and explored the meanings, motivations and stories depicted in works of art by some of the world’s most famous artists.

You can revisit any of the talks as part of the church services via the play list below.

Submit your artwork via the form on this link

Posted in Community work, Events, Press release | Tagged Marguerite Drive | Comments Off

How can the church pray for you?

Posted on August 27, 2024 by admin

Leigh Road Baptist Church has been praying for Leigh-on-Sea, its people and the wider world for over 130 years, and it is our absolute joy to continue to do so.

We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, simply put, we see prayer work.

If as an individual, business, school or organisation in Leigh-on-Sea or indeed beyond you would like LRBC to pray for you or your situation, please post your prayer request in the box below and hit submit.

‘Why don’t you try praying for a week and see what happens in your life?’

Why not check out TryPraying, a 7 day prayer guide for the non-religious, for those who aren’t into church, the atheist and agnostic.

Visit TryPraying.co.uk to get the 7 day guide, or just start praying.

Posted in News, Prayer | Tagged Leigh Road Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea, prayer | Comments Off

Watch General Election Hustings | Southend West and Leigh Constituency

Posted on June 25, 2024 by admin

As the general election approaches, Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) once again invited ten of the candidates standing for the Southend West and Leigh Constituency seat to a hustings event.

It took place on Monday 24 June 2024, 7:30pm – 9:30pm chaired by Rev Steve Tinning, Joint Public Issues Enabler with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and former Minister at LRBC, to a full house of over 300 people at the home of Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1NN.

Many issues, local, national and international were addressed, including UK poverty, international aid, support of refugees, clean beaches, climate change, Israel and Palestine, local authority funding, affordable housing, crime, and political accountability amongst others.

Watch the proceedings

2024 General Election Hustings Southend West and Leigh Constituency

Those that accepted our invitation to participate in the full evening (in Alphabetical Order by Party):

Conservative Party | Anna Firth
Green Party | Tilly Hogrebe
Labour Party | David Burton-Sampson
Liberal Democrats | Stephen Cummins
Reform UK | Peter Little

Candidates invited to give opening statements and closing remarks addressing some of the questions raised (in Alphabetical Order by Party):

James Miller | Confelicity (Boycotted event)
Lara Michelle Hurley | Heritage Party – Free Speech and Liberty
Tom Darwood | Independent
Robert David John Francis | Independent
Jason Pilley | Psychedelic Movement (Did not attend)

It is a sad reality that to accommodate all 10 candidates for full participation in the Hustings would have been too unwieldy and seriously restrict the number of questions we’d have been able to address in the time available, we actually received over 88 questions! So, we followed Election Commission guidelines and extended an invitation to 5 of the 10 candidates on the basis of their parties enjoying recent local election success and/or recent national profile/polling, ensuring we have a broad range of views represented. We also reached out to the independent candidates and those representing smaller parties in the hope that they will be able to come to the Hustings and offer a short opening statement and some brief comments on some of the questions they felt particularly compelled to address, ensuring attendees will be made aware of all of those standing and the key policies they are promoting.

Questions were gathered beforehand so that we could make best use of the time we had and so that we could ensure the candidates were asked about local, national and international issues that have the broadest concern amongst those attending.

Our thanks to the candidates on the night and all those running for election, and to the public that sent in their questions and turned up hear the answers.

Please do exercise your right to vote on Thursday 4 July 2024, and don’t forget to take your photo i.d.

More information

Cameron Hill, Reporter for the Echo, was at the church and conducted a live blog feed updated during the proceedings that can be read on the newspapers website.

Posted in Community work, Hustings, News, Press release | Tagged Southend West | Comments Off

Time to Talk Day visits Renew Wellbeing at the Living Room, Leigh-on-Sea

Posted on February 2, 2024 by admin

*Time to Talk Day Coop at Renew Wellbeing. Darrell chats to Ruth*

The weekly Thursday Renew Wellbeing drop-in at the Living Room, 191 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea welcomed Darrell Binding, Co-op Member Pioneer for the City of Southend this past Thursday 1 February to mark the UK wide Time to Talk Day.

Time to Talk Day is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with Co-op. The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.

Darrell brought along conversation starters, prompt cards and a jenga-like game with wood blocks to help those who attend Renew Wellbeing each week relax and start honest conversations. Time to Talk Day aims to help us all be open to the idea of talking – we all have mental health, and by having conversations about it we can help ourselves and others.

The Renew Wellbeing drop-in meets weekly on a Thursday from 2pm to 4pm at the Living Room and is designed to be a relaxed space to promote emotional wellbeing. Tanya Pain, who is on the RW volunteer team said, “At Renew Wellbeing we see the value in providing space to talk and listen each week. Therefore, it was great to welcome Darrell to mark Time to Talk Day. Many people of all ages and backgrounds come along, bring or take part in an activity, chat and listen to each other and reap the benefit. New people are always welcome just drop in”.

Darrell Binding added, “The Time to Talk survey highlights that too often, we put a brave face on and tell people we’re fine when we’re not because we’re worried about being a burden during difficult times. But bottling things up is only making things worse. Talking about our mental health can help us feel less alone, more able to cope, and encouraged to seek support if we need to. It was my privilege to join with Renew Wellbeing and have a conversation this Time to Talk Day.”

Anybody is welcome to drop in.

Posted in Community work, Living Room, Press release, Renew Wellbeing | Tagged Leigh Road Baptist Church, Living Room, Love Leigh Road | Comments Off

Three Cheers for a Wonderful Christmas Eco Fayre

Posted on November 24, 2023 by admin

A huge thank you to an amazing group of volunteers – all 46 of them – that came together before, during and after the Christmas Eco Fayre that took place at Leigh Road Baptist Church on Saturday 18 November.

They moved tables, promoted the event, displayed and sold second-hand goods and cuddly toys, painted faces, sold cakes and bacon butties (yum!). Together we championed ethical and sustainable Christmas shopping, supporting local makers and crafters – the whole event was full of joy and bargains!

Thanks to all who came along and purchased from the stallholders who reported really good sales. “Thanks for a fantastic day”, “Another really successful Eco fair” and “My favourite markets were definitely the Global Community Saturdays (Living Room) and the LRBC Christmas Fayre”, were just some of the positive comments received.

The festive season was kicked off in style and all are welcome to journey with Leigh Road Baptist Church through Advent and into Christmas. Full details of what’s on this Christmas can be found here: www.lrbc.org.uk/christmas

So far the fayre has raised £2175.00 towards the church’s work in the community – thank you!

Posted in Christmas 2023, Community work, Events, Green & Eco Issues, LRBC, LRBC ECO FAIR | Comments Off

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