Weekly Prayer Focus

From the beginning of the prison service the church, and more recently, multi- faith provision has been at the centre of care provided to people detained by the courts. Within the EBA there are a number of prisons, and each one is required by law to run a Chaplaincy supporting prisoners of all faiths and none. Unlike chaplaincies in hospitals and schools, in HMPPS it is a statutory one with specific duties required to be carried out every day, 365 days of the year. Every day a member of the chaplaincy team meets face to face with every prisoner; within 24hours of their arrival, whether they have come in from outside or been transferred from another jail. Because of this, chaplains meet prisoners at a…

Wisbech Baptist Church is situated in the north-western corner of our region, in Cambridgeshire. Leadership of the church has recently been taken on by Amy and Dave Barker, who have moved from Coventry. Amy is also employed by the EBA as its Director of Vocations, while Dave is working for the Methodist Church, starting an outdoor garden church A move from Coventry to the Fens is a big change for Dave and Amy and their three children, and they are enjoying getting to know the members of their fellowship. On a Sunday morning, around 40 people attend weekly worship at the church, which is situated on Wisbech High Street. The fellowship is becoming more diverse, with international members and some children. Dave and Amy are…

Pilgrims Hatch Baptist Church is set in a residential suburb of Brentwood, Essex, and worships in Bishops Hall Community Centre which lies at the heart of the neighbourhood. The church is very community focused and has close links to a local charity called Manna Meals which provides community meals, and a small baby bank charity set up and run by PHBC which takes in baby equipment and clothes to help those who need it. There are two house groups, a prayer meeting occurs twice monthly, and some individuals also run a service in the local care home. Their current attendance comprises mainly of middle aged to elderly, although encouragingly a younger family has just recently joined. Manpower for running activities and general help can be…

Canvey Island Baptist church is a congregation who believe in God, know His love and share that love with their community. With their new minister, Andrew James, they have agreed that their focus is on three things: the strength of their unity, filling their hearts with more love for God and finding new ways to help people in their community. Since Andrew’s induction on 1st March, they have enjoyed a time of close fellowship and have been greatly encouraged by the strong ties with other local churches, especially our sister Baptist church, Wintergardens. The inter-church work has included regular breakfast meetings, a Maundy Thursday meal, a walk of witness through Canvey Island on Good Friday, and a Pentecost Picnic. They are grateful that the sense…