Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester is a community of around 40 members, with up to 30 worshipping regularly. Located to the south of Colchester, the church serves a diverse community with diverse and multiple needs. Currently in pastoral vacancy the church is maintaining its commitment to serving its community through a Table Tennis Group, Knitting and Craft and Coffee and Cake. The weekly toddler group is always full, with parents and carers having to book their places on Eventbrite! Under the leadership team, Church Secretary, Treasurer and a dedicated set of Deacons, the church has maintained weekly worship through the support of visiting preachers and is opening a “Warm Space” for locals on a Thursday evening. This will provide warmth, company and support to those who…

As 2025 draws to an end, we’re grateful for all of the prayers, support, and encouragement of ministers and churches across the Association.  It has not quite been the year we planned for, but there are shards of light and hope in so many directions. It is particularly good to have Claire back with us again having completed her cancer treatment over the summer. The year has involved some team changes – with Gale, Gina, and Sharon all finishing with us – Becky joining the team back in February – and a new colleague to come in the new year too.  We’re grateful for the privilege of having been able to work alongside these colleagues, and pray God will bless them richly in the future….

Maidstone Road Baptist Church is in the district of Walton, on the outskirts of Felixstowe, Suffolk. Their minister-in-training, Shonaidh Marsh joined the church in September, and is excited about the opportunities available for the church as it seeks to serve a community that has grown to 11,500 people in recent years, with a planned 2000 more homes on the horizon. An important aspect of the church’s life is the Parish Nursing team, who have their offices in the church building, using the facilities for a chair-based exercise class, and in recent weeks a weekly drop-in “Friday@2” has started, providing a chance for locals to meet up and support one another. The fellowship of around 35 members is firmly focused on the future of the church…

Wymondham Baptist Church lies southwest of Norwich and under the leadership and guidance of their pastor Paul Smith they are currently in the throws of extending their premises to provide a community space. God has provided the finance through grant funding, fund-raising efforts, and sacrificial giving of the church fellowship. The area, which is glazed and designed to provide an eco-friendly space, will be used by their Roots Community Café. They find it can be frustrating as progress is slow, but the church is praying that the building will be completed and ready to be opened in time for Easter 2026. Currently they are able to be open for services on Sunday mornings, for prayer group in the week, youth group on alternate Friday evenings…