Report from EBA Council July 2023 The meeting was held on zoom with one trustee having sent apologies. The meeting opened with reading Psalm 121 and trustees being reminded that we cannot do things without God’s help and that He does not sleep nor slumber. Followed by prayer. Trustees were informed by Graeme of his call to local ministry, he shared a little bit of his journey to this place and the meeting with his new church. Council then prayed for Graeme and his family as they prepare to move. The Home Mission resilience group met in June and meet again in August. The group consists of 9 people including trustees, people who currently receive a grant and some with an analytical financial background. The group hopes to report back to council later this year. Two new people have joined the team to write the weekly prayer focus. Recommendations for …

Here is a list of the Holiday club/family activities running across the EBA in the Summer holidays. As a Regional team, we are praying for you and cheering you on. If your activities aren’t listed, do let us know and we can add them. Week beginning Sunday 23 July Mersea Beach Club The Restoration Station at Bluntisham Baptist church ‘WasteWatchers’ Holiday Club (Run by an ecumenical team from churches in March (including Centenary Baptist Church on 24th-28th July). Week beginning Sunday 30 July Frinton Mission Week beginning Sunday 6 August Noah’s Mud Cafe at Christ Church Stock Week beginning Sunday 27 August Sheringham Beach Life Weekly Activities Little Lounge (A Youth and Families wellbeing space every Tuesday morning).

Please watch the YouTube video for more information https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcH1_mfV4WY Those forming Pathfinder Church Northstowe come from all Christian traditions and from none: together they are pilgrims on a journey, asking questions and exploring the connections they find between everyday life and their spirituality and faith. At the heart of this new church community in Northstowe is a recognition that people are seeking to follow The Pathfinder, Jesus Christ. What unites them is much stronger than their denominational backgrounds: it is a rooted, growing, and transforming faith based on an encounter with the ancient God who still changes lives today. Their vision is to be people who are praying, exploring and sharing. The Pathfinder Church is part of the Church of England, living out a commitment to be “a visible Christian presence in every community” and working closely with representatives of the Eastern Baptist Association and The United Reformed Church Eastern Synod, …

The name of the Rev David Mayne, Lead Pastor at Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church (STBBC) in Essex, was brought to a General Meeting of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) on 16th July 2023 and the meeting voted to call him to serve as the new Regional Minister Team Leader for the Association. David will join the EBA team in November, and will serve alongside current Regional Ministers Rev Claire Blatchford, Rev Gale Richards and Association Secretary Hayley Beckett. At the General Meeting, all those involved in the appointment process, from the EBA and the wider Baptist Union, were thanks for their contributions, and the wider Association community were thanked for their prayers.  The meeting heard how the appointment panel and then the EBA trustees unanimously decided to propose David for the role. David has been at STBBC for twelve years, and before this he served for six years …