57 West & Clarence Road Baptist Church Charity number 1192598 News from Southend! 57 West & Clarence Road are two member churches of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and have worked independently of each other for 5 years out of our city centre premises. Making the bold decision to open the dividing door between the two communities, we now work as one faith community seeking to reach out to others across the city. Church In October 2022 we joined together for interactive Sunday services, exploring our values under themes of storytelling, mission, worship, communion, baptism and more. A new community member has already expressed a desire to be baptised, so we’re planning for that alongside our advent themes which are both really exciting! Groups We continue to facilitate a number of groups including café sessions, art & wellbeing clubs, cooking courses and rough sleeper drop in. We hope to …
We all felt moved to prayer when we heard the first stories coming out of Ukraine after the Russian invasion. My husband Derek and I were glued to the news, hardly believing that this was happening in 2022. The people we saw fleeing their country looked very much like us or our adult children leaving homes and towns similar to ours in Dereham. In March Dereham Baptist Church had a week of prayer where we sign up for hour-long slots and go to The Sanctuary, a beautifully decorated dedicated prayer room. I had an hour on Tuesday that week, and prayed fervently for Ukraine. I started to get the feeling that we should open our home to a Ukrainian family but when I discussed it with Derek later that day we came to conclusion that as very private people, not particularly given to hospitality and having got very used to …
Pam Davies a minister in Southend and part of the EBA Justice Group writes the following article: Much has been written already about the cost of living crisis that is affecting all of our communities. Rather than repeating that, this update shares what we’re doing at 57 West in the hope that it might be useful to other churches who aren’t sure where to start, or what to explore next. Sessions: Drop in sessions – our daytime drop in sessions create safe spaces for people to be in the warm, charge their devices, chat over coffee and receive support with form filling, signposting to housing provision, mental health services and debt management organisations. This is generally the first point of contact for somebody joining us for the first time. This is also the session that is easiest to run, requiring only two DBS checked volunteers and a risk assessment that …
Along with so many in our nation, we are grieving the loss of our Queen. We remember and give thanks for her life of dutiful service to this nation, to the commonwealth and to the whole world. Queen Elizabeth lived a life of grace inspired by the example of Jesus and the faith in Him that she held so dear. A prayer from Lynn Green, General Secretary of our Baptist Union: Gracious God, We thank you for the life of your servant Elizabeth; for her faithfulness to your gospel through her words, example and humble service. We remember with gratitude her gentle diplomacy, her wise leadership and guidance in a changing world, and the glimpses into her sense of humour. She has been a gracious and godly Queen, and so we commend her back to you: May she rest in peace and rise in glory. We pray too for the …
