Eastern Baptist Association Bulletin October 2019
Welcome to this round-up of news from around the Eastern region
“Growing Together” Annual Gathering
Over 250 people from over 50 different churches in our Association attended the annual EBA Gathering at Billericay Baptist Church on 28th September with the theme of “Growing Together”. The keynote speaker was Revd Ken Benjamin, the current BU President, who spoke on the theme of ‘Where do we grow from here?’ There was a time of worship, communion together, sharing news from around our churches and an update about the Wave of a Prayer. After the hog-roast lunch there was a short AGM, which included the annual report, a financial summary for 2018 and the welcoming of new ministers and churches into the Association. During the afternoon there were a variety of different seminars on various topics and a creative area.
New Member Churches
At the Gathering two new churches were welcomed as members into the Eastern Baptist Association. They are:
* Epping Green Chapel in Essex where the minister is Paul Walker, and
* Countess Free Church , Ely, Cambridgeshire where the minister is Karl Relton
Recent Inductions at our Churches
Tom Madders at Billericay Baptist Church
Jenny Hughes at West Mersea Free Church
Simon Heard at Mariners Church
Jon Magee at Perry Baptist Church
Chris Farmer at Braintree Baptist Church
Helen Harrigan (MiT)at Laindon Baptist Church
Jeff Jacobson at West Leigh Baptist Church
Ian Forsyth at Gunton Baptist Church
Bill Miller at Cambourne Church
Pholani Ncube (MiT) at Shotgate Baptist Church
Andrew Marshall (MiT) at Westcliff Baptist Church
Home Mission Grants 2020
Home Mission grants for 2020 have been awarded to the following churches: Beacon Community Church, Barnwell; RENEW Bottisham; Bures; Canvey Island Winter Gardens; Colchester Parson’s Heath; Hedingham; Ipswich Nansen Road; Ormesby Light of Life; Rowhedge Mariners Chapel; Southend Church From Scratch; Thetford King Street; and Wymondham. Grants have also been awarded to these Special Ministries: Colchester New Growth Ministry; Purfleet, Romford Harold Hill 1v23; Southend 57 West; and Thetford Fulmerston.
New Moderator of Council
We have a new moderator for the EBA confirmed at the recent AGM. Jeniya Gwendu from Mill Road Cambridge takes on the role of Moderator of the Eastern Baptist Association with immediate effect.
Three new members have been elected by our churches to the EBA Council: Sean Fountain (Pier Clacton), John Goddard (Saffron Walden) and Alan Brand (RENEW Bottisham). Fiona Heddle (Winter Gardens, Canvey Island) has also been co-opted as a member of the Council. The full list of all our Council members and trustees is shown on the EBA website.
Project 2019
There are three churches this year, one from each sector.
* In the northern sector Bluntisham Baptist Church have plans to refurbish their church building for the whole community and remodel the church and other rooms. The building is listed and permission has been granted for the work to proceed.
* Great Sampford Baptist Church in the central sector are looking at upgrading and repairing their chapel building and carrying out internal refurbishment and refit to provide suitable multi-purpose use.
* In the southern sector Earls Hall Baptist Church in Southend are embarking on a complete rebuild and redevelopment of their existing premises that will allow the church to increase its presence as a significant hub in the community and serve God with greater effect than at present.
Update from Baptist Insurance
These items are from the latest Baptist Insurance newsletter. Subscribe to receive it at enquiries@baptist-ins.com
Personal safety
We take the personal safety of every member of the Baptist community extremely seriously. If you’re alone in the church, perhaps locking up after a service late at night, or if you’re letting someone you don’t know into your home, you could be vulnerable.
We’ve put together some simple tips on how to keep yourself safe. By taking a few common-sense steps, you can minimise the risk, and carry on enjoying your role within the community.
Protecting your church in the event of terrorist activity
In recent years, the focus of terrorist activity has shifted from damaging properties, to indiscriminate attacks aimed at disruption through loss of life. This change can mean that the major cost of terrorist acts is likely to come from business interruption rather than property damage.
If you already insure against terrorism, we are now able to offer you non-damage business interruption terrorism cover too. Call our team to find out more about the cover variations and get a quote on 0345 070 2223. More detailed guidance including a terrorism prevention checklist is also available on our website
Keep the metal thieves away
Metal theft is, unfortunately, an ongoing challenge for churches. From the cost of replacement metal, to damage caused to the building during a theft, the impact on a church can be enormous.
If you have external metal at your church, you may wish to consider the application of a forensic marking solution, such as SmartWater or installing a roof alarm.
For more advice on protecting your church against metal theft, please don’t hesitate to call our customer service team on 0345 070 2223.
Home Insurance – student accommodation cover
As the new academic year begins, many families will be preparing to send their children off for their first term at University.
With so much to organise, it can be easy to forget about arranging insurance for their belongings whilst they are away. We understand this, which is why we automatically cover contents in student accommodation as long as your son/daughter normally lives with you outside of term time.
Call us today on 0345 070 2223 for more information.
24th April 2020
22nd January 2018
10th October 2017
