Add Your Christmas Greetings to the LRBC Communal Christmas Card | Missionary Fundraiser
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Harmonise Choir Prepares to Lift Voices for Trust Links at 3rd Annual Concert hosted by LRBC
Saturday 29 November 2025 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1NN
Harmonise Choir is in the final preparations for it’s 3rd Annual Concert, following another hugely successful year performing at some of the top events across South East Essex. This year’s concert returns to Leigh Road Baptist Church on Saturday 29 November 2025, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, and promises to be an evening filled with uplifting music, community spirit, and celebration — all while raising money for local mental health and wellbeing charity, Trust Links.
With a repertoire that spans contemporary hits, musicals and seasonal surprises, Harmonise Choir continues to bring joy and harmony to audiences across the region.
Steve Morgan, Choir Director, said:
“Every year Harmonise Choir’s Annual Concert grows in energy and spirit. We’re so proud of what the choir has achieved this year, performing at some of the region’s biggest events, and this concert is the perfect way to bring it all together. The fact we can do this while supporting Trust Links makes it even more meaningful.”
Co-Director Simon Law added:
“The concert is not only a showcase of our singers’ talent but also a celebration of community. We welcome everyone to come along, enjoy the music, and experience the joy of group singing. And if you’ve ever thought about joining a choir — now is the time! Harmonise is always open to new members.”
Choir member Gemma who joined Harmonise in 2023, shared:
“Being part of Harmonise has been such a joy. It’s not just about singing — it’s about friendship, confidence, and being part of something bigger. Standing on stage with the choir is such an ecstatic feeling, and I can’t wait for this year’s concert.”
Tickets:
• Adults (Over 18): £10 in advance
• Under 18s: £2 in advance
• On the day £15 adult and £5 child
• Refreshments available by donation
Tickets can be pre-booked online via the choir’s website: www.harmonisechoir.co.uk
Celebrating a Joyful New Chapter: The Induction of Rev. Ian Smith as Senior Minister of Leigh Road Baptist Church
Sunday 23 November 2025 will long be remembered as a day of thanksgiving, celebration and renewed commitment at Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC), as our church family gathered with guests from near and far for the induction of Rev. Ian Smith as our new Senior Minister. The sanctuary was alive with warmth and anticipation as we worshipped together, prayed together, and affirmed together the calling God has placed on Ian’s life and ministry among us.
Honoured Guests and Shared Stories of God’s Faithfulness
We were delighted to welcome a number of guests who took part in this special gathering, each bringing encouragement, history, and testimony to God’s work through Ian over many years:
- Claire Blatchford, from the Eastern Baptist Association, who kindly led the induction service with grace, insight and prayer.
- Jane Wyndham, from Stock Free Church, Ian’s very first church, who brought greetings and shared heartfelt testimony about the impact Ian and Andrea had on her own journey of faith.
- Ian Moore, from Billericay Baptist Church, Ian’s second church, who spoke warmly of being ministered to by Ian — and of ministering to him — as they served the people of Billericay side by side.
- Jeff Jacobson, from West Leigh Baptist Church—our sister/daughter church—who expressed his anticipation of an even closer, Spirit-led partnership between our churches as we seek to serve Leigh-on-Sea together in the years ahead.
Their contributions reminded us that ministry is a shared story, woven across communities, seasons and friendships by the goodness of God.
Gratitude for Those Who Have Gone Before
As we celebrate Ian’s induction, we also pause to express deep gratitude for all the ministers who have faithfully served LRBC throughout its history. We thank Jesus for their leadership, their servant-heartedness and their willingness to journey with this church as it has sought to shine the light of Christ here in Leigh-on-Sea — a light that continues to radiate hope, compassion and welcome into our neighbourhood, town and city.
A Service Filled With Hope and Purpose
The theme of the service, “Stop, Look, Listen,” encouraged us to pause, pay attention to God’s movement among us, and listen for the Spirit’s leading as we enter a new chapter together. The congregation affirmed promises of support and partnership, recognising that ministry here is shared — a family following Jesus together.
Prayers were offered, Scripture was proclaimed, worship was lifted, and Ian was charged and blessed for the ministry ahead. The sense of unity and expectation was tangible in the room.
The atmosphere of the day
From opening hymn to closing blessing, there was a tangible sense of gratitude, anticipation and unity. The gathered fellowship affirmed Ian’s calling, pledged their support, and committed to working alongside him in the life and mission of the church. Family, friends, long-time members, newcomers—everyone was part of this new beginning.
There were prayers of thanksgiving, promises made by church members, and a sending-out moment as we entrusted Ian with this new role. It was a reminder that ministry here is not isolated: it is shared, communal, rooted in relationships.
A Joyful Feast of Fellowship
Following the service, our church family and guests enjoyed a wonderful bring-and-share lunch — tables filled with home-made dishes, joyful conversation and the warmth of genuine community.
Together we sat, ate, laughed and shared stories with guests and friends old and new.
It was a joyful occasion, and we are grateful to everyone who brought food, helped set up, tidy away, and gave of their gifts to make it such a memorable celebration.
All of this — every plate of food, every word of encouragement, every moment of fellowship — was done in the name of Jesus, that He might be known, loved, and made famous in our community.
Looking Ahead With Faith
With Ian now serving as Senior Minister, LRBC steps into a season of renewed hope and shared purpose. We look forward to:
- Growing deeper as disciples of Jesus
- Worshipping in ways that are authentic, creative and Christ-centred
- Strengthening our presence in Leigh-on-Sea as people of compassion and mission
- Working more closely with partner churches in our town
- Following the leading of the Holy Spirit together
We give thanks to God for this moment, for Ian and his family, and for the future He continues to shape among us.
Watch the Service
If you missed the occasion, you can watch the full induction gathering here:
YouTube – The Induction of Rev. Ian Smith
May Jesus Christ be honoured in all we do as we move forward — together — as His church in the heart of Leigh-on-Sea.
Posted in Ian Smith, LRBC, News, Press release
Tagged Eastern Baptist Association, Jesus, Senior Minister, West Leigh Baptist Church
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Leigh Road Baptist Church invites households, schools, churches, community groups & businesses to join “Streets of Light 2025”
Sign-up deadline extended to midnight Sunday 19 October – www.streetsoflight.co.uk
Households, schools, churches, community groups and businesses across Southend-on-Sea — and beyond — are being invited to take part in Streets of Light 2025, a creative community project spreading messages of Light, Love and Hope this autumn.
Now in its fifth year in our city, and supported locally by Leigh Road Baptist Church, Streets of Light encourages people to transform a window in their home, school, church or workplace into a beacon of positivity. The illuminated windows will shine each evening from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, creating trails of hope throughout neighbourhoods.
This simple yet powerful idea began in Sheffield and has since grown into a nationwide movement, with hundreds of communities taking part each year. Participants decorate and light up their windows to share uplifting messages and inspire connection, creativity and kindness within their local streets.
“Streets of Light is a wonderful way to bring our communities together,” said a David Elcock, Community Worker for Leigh Road Baptist Church. “It’s open to everyone — people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. Whether you live in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, another part of Essex, or anywhere in the UK or beyond, you can take part and shine some light, love and hope in your neighbourhood.”
Why take part?
- Build community connection — Walk, cycle or drive around and spot themed windows in your neighbourhood
- Create a positive counter-narrative — Offer an alternative to darker themes associated with Halloween, using Light, Love or Hope as anchor words
- Inclusive & creative — You can be as simple or imaginative as you like, provided your display includes one of the key words (Light, Love or Hope)
- Publicity & visibility — All participant windows will appear on online trail maps (available from 23 October) to help people locate displays in your area
How to get involved
- Sign up now at www.streetsoflight.co.uk – deadline extended to midnight Sunday 19 October 2025.
- Choose your location – home, school, church, business or community venue.
- Design your display – include at least one of the key words: Light, Love or Hope.
- Light it up each evening from 5:30pm to 9pm – 25 October to 2 November.
- Explore the trails – maps showing all participating windows will go live from 25 October.
Everyone who signs up will have their location (not full address) featured on an online map, allowing others to follow the trail and enjoy the displays safely.
Whether it’s fairy lights in a front window, a bold handmade design, or a creative school project, every window adds to the glow of encouragement that Streets of Light brings each year.
Leigh Road Baptist Church is proud to promote Streets of Light in Southend-on-Sea.
Find out more and sign up today at www.streetsoflight.co.uk
Let’s make this autumn the brightest yet — together sharing Light, Love and Hope across our city and beyond.
Here’s some inspiration from previous years
Posted in Children's & Family Work, Children's and Family Work, Community work, Halloween, News, Press release, streets of light
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A Parade of Penguins Lands at Leigh Road Baptist Church for Waddle-on-Sea
This summer, Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) is home to a vibrant gathering of penguins as part of Waddle-on-Sea—a joyful public art trail created by Havens Hospices in partnership with Wild in Art.
Running until Wednesday 3rd September, Waddle-on-Sea features over 30 large penguin sculptures and more than 70 baby penguins spread across Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea. We’re thrilled to be hosting nine beautifully decorated baby penguins in our Welcome Area on Marguerite Drive, with one impressive giant penguin standing proudly just outside the church garden on Leigh Road—a colourful ambassador for creativity, compassion and community spirit.
The trail celebrates local art and raises vital funds for Havens Hospices, which provides free, specialist care for children and adults living with incurable conditions across Essex, supporting them and their loved ones through some of life’s most difficult times.
“We’re so pleased to be part of Waddle-on-Sea,” said David Elcock, LRBC’s Community Worker.
“After hosting many elephants during Herd in the City two years ago, it’s a joy to welcome these brilliant penguins to the church. These trails are more than just fun—they raise awareness and funds for an incredible charity doing essential work in our community. It’s a real privilege to be involved again.”
Each penguin has been uniquely designed by local artists, schools or community groups, offering a free and inspiring way to explore the city while supporting a cause that touches so many.
While trail maps are not available at LRBC, you can pick them up from Havens Hospices shops, the Pier Information Centre, The Forum, Leigh Library, and the Waddle-on-Sea HQs at The Royals Shopping Centre and Haven’s Reloved 141 Leigh Road. Or, for digital explorers, download the Waddle-on-Sea app from the App Store or Google Play to guide your trail.
At the end of the trail, all penguins will gather one final time for a special Farewell Weekend on 13–14 September, before many are auctioned to raise even more money for Havens Hospices’ vital services.
To find out more or book Farewell Weekend tickets, visit www.waddleonsea.co.uk.
If you’re waddling through Leigh this summer, pop in to see the penguins at LRBC—we’re delighted to be part of this creative and compassionate celebration.
Posted in Community work, News, Press release
Tagged David Elcock, Leigh Road Baptist Church, LRBC
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Starvation Lunch Fundraiser for Tek Ura Raises Over £300
After our Sunday morning gathering on Sunday 2 March, the Leigh Road Baptist Church family came together for a simple but powerful act of generosity—our Starvation Lunch in support of Tek Ura. The idea was simple: instead of a full Sunday lunch, we shared a meal of light soup and a roll, donating what we would have normally spent on food to support Tek Ura’s vital work in Albania.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with tables decorated with Albanian flags, reminding us of the community we were supporting. Steve G’s delicious soup was a real hit—many came back for seconds! Alongside the meal, we heard an update on the latest news from Tek Ura, reinforcing the impact our giving can have.
We’re delighted to share that the event raised £300, with further donations still coming in.
Tanya Pain, who organised the event, shared her gratitude:
“It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support Tek Ura in this way. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed—we’re thrilled with the amount raised and the generosity shown. Every penny will help make a real difference.”
Thank you to all who took part, donated, and helped make this event a success. If you missed out but would still like to contribute, it’s not too late! Get in touch to find out how you can support Tek Ura’s work.
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Two Artists Exhibition Brings Art and Community Together at the Living Room
What a fantastic weekend we had at Two Artists! Hosted at the Living Room, this special exhibition featured the incredible artwork of Ruth Rotherham and Teresa Barbary. The event was a wonderful celebration of creativity, community, and connection, with many visitors enjoying the vibrant display and taking home their favourite pieces.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with a steady flow of art lovers stopping by to admire the collection. “We are absolutely thrilled with the response,” said Teresa Barbary. “It was so special to see people connecting with our work and choosing pieces to take home.” Ruth Rotherham added, “The support was amazing, and knowing that part of each sale is helping Phablife makes it even more rewarding.”
A huge thank you to Leigh Road Baptist Church for providing the Living Room as a space to showcase local talent. The Room for Art drop-in, which Teresa attends weekly, continues to be a fantastic creative space for anyone looking to explore art in a supportive environment.
We are also immensely grateful for the support of The Phabulous Café and Phab Life, whose work in creating opportunities for adults with additional needs is truly inspiring. The Phabulous Café is not just a welcoming place to enjoy coffee and lunch—it is also a training hub that helps young adults gain valuable skills in hospitality and customer service. Phab Life also provides supported volunteering, employment training, and social opportunities, making a real difference in the community – phablife.org.uk
The Living Room itself continues to be a hub for community engagement, hosting activities such as Room for Art, Renew Wellbeing sessions, eco markets, craft mornings, and even vinyl nights! If you haven’t yet visited, we encourage you to come and see what’s happening in this wonderful space. www.living-room.org.uk
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited, supported, and shared kind words during the Two Artists exhibition. Your encouragement and enthusiasm mean so much, and we look forward to more events celebrating creativity and community in the future!
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2024: A Year of Community, Faith, and Fellowship with Leigh Road Baptist Church
As we welcome 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on the many blessings and highlights we’ve shared as a church family in 2024:
Worship & Ministry:
- Our Sunday gatherings continued to bring us together, with inspiring messages, heartfelt worship, and vibrant community prayer.
- Special services like Baptisms, Easter, and Christmas were a chance to invite friends and neighbours into the joy and hope of Jesus.
- Church Weekend at Home: ‘Life in the Spirit’ brought a powerful time of teaching, worship, and spiritual renewal.
- Strengthening and growth of our regular discipleship groups
Community Events:
- Leigh Art Trail and Faith in Art: A creative explosion across our town and premises.
- Harvest Festival: A celebration of God’s provision, with generous donations supporting local food banks.
- Carols by Candlelight: A beautiful evening filled with traditional carols and festive fellowship.
- The Living Room continued its connection to many groups serving friends across our neighbourhood.
- We were thrilled to see the Old Leigh Regatta return, a wonderful celebration of community spirit.
- Hosted the General Election Hustings, providing a platform for important discussions in our community.
- Supporting local independent traders through Totally Locally Leigh-on-Sea & Love Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea Partnership
Music & Creativity:
- The Harmonise Choir graced us with a stunning performance and raised funds for HARP Southend homelessness charity.
- Our worship team led us with passion, creating spaces where we could encounter God through music.
Outreach & Fundraising:
- We partnered with organisations to support those in need, from weekly Southend Foodbank collections, donating to Southend CAP Debt Advice Centre and Spurgeons Children and Family charity and hosting fundraising events for LRBC mission partners Tek Ura.
- Leigh Folk Festival Fundraiser: A fantastic Comedy Night brought laughter and funds to an important cause.
- Our work with seniors, including midweek gatherings and social groups, continued to provide companionship and combat loneliness.
Children & Family:
- Our children & families programs continued to thrive, with creative activities and spaces where young people can grow in faith.
- Assemblies and RE Lessons with Darlinghurst Academy Primary School and hosting their choir.
- Parent-and-toddler groups offered a warm welcome to families in our community.
Looking Ahead:
As we step into 2025, we look forward to deepening our relationships with God and one another, serving our community with open hearts, and sharing the love of Christ in all we do.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to another year of faith, hope, and love!
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A Joyful Celebration of Community and Creation: LRBC Christmas Eco Fayre
Leigh Road Baptist Church’s Christmas Eco Fayre 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together the community to celebrate the festive season in an environmentally conscious way. The event, filled with creativity and generosity, raised an impressive £2,600. Of this total, 90% will support LRBC’s ongoing work in the local community, with the remaining 10% donated to the Southend CAP Debt Advice Centre—a vital ministry aiding those in financial hardship.
The Fayre featured a vibrant array of eco-friendly crafts, gifts, and sustainable products, encouraging attendees to embrace a greener Christmas. Julie Eady, one of the organizers, highlighted the innovative ways participants engaged with the theme, from upcycled decorations to eco-conscious workshops that inspired practical, planet-friendly habits for the Christmas season.
Christmas Eco Fayre photos by Gina Cox
The day also fostered a spirit of fellowship, with delicious refreshments, uplifting conversations, and activities for all ages. Children especially enjoyed hands-on experiences, while families explored stalls brimming with unique treasures.
A Heartfelt Thanks
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who helped make this event such a success,” said Julie Eady, church member and organiser. “To the stallholders, small businesses, volunteers, and visitors—your creativity, generosity, and support truly embody the spirit of Christmas. Together, we’ve celebrated God’s blessings and shown love to our community and creation.”
We give all glory to God for His provision and for uniting us as stewards of His creation. Events like this not only bring joy but also reflect the church’s mission to care for both people and the planet. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and served—you are truly making a difference.
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Streets of Light 2024: Shining a Message of Light, Love & Hope Across Leigh-on-Sea and Beyond
This autumn, Leigh-on-Sea joined hundreds of locations across the UK and Germany in celebrating the power of light and love to bring hope and warmth to our communities. The Streets of Light initiative, held from October 26 to November 3, 2024, saw 15 homes, businesses, and churches across Leigh-on-Sea shining brightly with inspiring window displays bearing the message of Light, Love, and Hope. These displays provided an uplifting alternative to Halloween’s darker themes, inviting local residents to walk the streets and discover the message of positivity shining in the windows of their neighbours.
Beyond our town, the event spread far and wide, with hundreds of windows lit up across the UK, from Sheffield to Scarborough and from Cambridge to Cornwall. Even Germany joined the initiative, making Streets of Light an international beacon of joy, reminding us that no matter where we are, we can all reflect light in the darkness.
Hanli Bouwer, Children and Families Worker at Leigh Road Baptist Church, expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone involved: “A huge thank you to all those who took part in Streets of Light 2024. Your creativity and willingness to spread a message of light, love, and hope has made a difference to so many, and I’m thrilled to see how our community has come together to shine brightly.”
Leigh Road Baptist Church invites everyone to continue the journey of sharing light, love and hope, whether through art, words, or actions. Together, we make our communities brighter, one light at a time in Jesus’s name.
For more information of Streets of Light and to get involved next year, please visit www.streetsoflight.co.uk
Posted in Children's and Family Work, Community work, News, streets of light
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