Hands Together Summit May 2026 – Photos Images courtesy of Gaz de Vere
It was encouraging to see Leigh Road Baptist Church’s Community Worker, David Elcock, joining leaders and representatives from across the city at the latest Hands Together Summit, “One City, One Heart,” held on Wednesday 6 May 2026.
Hosted by Southend Christian Fellowship and catalysed by Project Southchurch, the gathering brought together people of different faiths — and none — alongside community organisations, local charities, public services and civic leaders. Representatives included SAVS, Essex Police – Southend District and MP Bayo Alaba.
The summit created valuable space for people to listen well, share hopes and concerns for the city, and explore how communities can work together for the good of Southend. Conversations focused on unity, celebrating the diversity and culture of our city, and strengthening partnerships that help support local people.
Hands Together Summit May 2026 – Images courtesy of Gaz de Vere
The event served as an important reminder that when people come together with respect, compassion and a shared desire to serve others, positive things can happen. Building relationships across communities remains an important part of helping Southend flourish as a welcoming and caring city for all.
We’re grateful to everyone involved in organising and contributing to the summit and look forward to continuing to build relationships and work collaboratively with others across Southend in the months ahead.
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.
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’sReloved141 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.
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.
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.
Two Artists: Ruth R and Teresa B enjoying the exhibition
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.”
Teresa with one of her pieces
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!
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!
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.
Light, Love and Hope, LRBCs Streets of Light Window shining into the night
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.
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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.
Wouter and Hanli stand in front of their Streets of Light window for LRBC
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
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.
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
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!
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.
(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.
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