Events 

Please note - with all events advertised below, whilst we are publicising them, the views and comments expressed are not necessarily approved by the Association - unless they have been organised specifically by the Association. 

Eco Events in February:

To register for the Webinar, contact secretary@centralba.org.uk



























 

When we recognise that ‘God is in the room’ and give Him time and space to work, then anything can happen! As children are facing bigger and bigger challenges, it is essential that they have their own encounters with God. As children’s leaders our job is to ensure that when we meet with them, that we not only provide good fun programmes but also facilitate God encounters that are transformational. Come and receive fresh vision, enjoy times of worship, encounter God’s presence for yourself, as well as gaining many practical skills and ideas to help you see children become a supernatural generation.

There will be various workshops on Saturday, with a stream particularly for those working with 0-5’s.

Ticket price includes all refreshments and afternoon tea on Saturday. 

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Navigating Retirement

Saturday 14 March 2026, 10am-12.30pm (coffee available from 9.30am)
Godalming Baptist Church (GU7 1BA)

• Are you at a decision point approaching retirement or thinking through how best to use your time and energy now you are retired? 
• This morning will be an opportunity to explore the choices and frustrations that come to the fore at this stage of life. 
• How best might you deploy your experience, time and energy in ways that are creative and fulfilling? 
• How can we experience retirement as an exciting entry into the next phase of life?

The morning will be led by Peter Shaw who spent 32 years in the senior civil service, and has subsequently been coaching leaders and teams over the last 20 years.  He is a Licensed Lay Minister at Godalming Minster. 

Participants in similar sessions led by Peter at Godalming Minster and St Saviour's Church in Guildford have found them very valuable,
and this session is suitable for those with any or no faith.
 
The session will be free of charge, but voluntary donations are invited towards the vital work of Tear Fund
 
To help with managing numbers, please reserve a place by contacting Sally Pollard email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk, tel: 01483 428646 by Friday 6 March. 

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Newly Accredited Ministers

Recognising our NAMS

What a privilege to have 9 ministers completing their time as NAMs in SEBA this year. Here's a few of the photos from the evening in West Bromwich:

Allie Moore, Findon Valley	Andy Eyre, formerly Eden Church	Rachel Watson, Milford
		Ministers presented at the  Baptist Assembly 2025
Simon Evans-White, Halton	Tom Fisk, Swalecliffe	Watch a video of those presented and their prayer requests here

Jobs and Vacancies 

Operations Manager - Bookham Baptist Church

We are looking for an enthusiastic, collaborative individual to lead the operations team at our church. At its heart, this is an enabling role, supporting and coordinating others to work out our vision and values in the church community, both gathered and scattered.

Click here for full Job Description and Person Specification

To apply, please send a CV and a covering letter stating why you feel you’d be a suitable candidate for the role to: office@bookhambaptist.org 

Church & Community Centre Administrator - QE Park Baptist Church, Guildford

20-24 hours/week, competitive salary.

Duties include managing hire of the community centre, overseeing maintenance and repairs of the building, HR for all staff, arranging payment of invoices, cash count and banking. For full job description and how to apply, email admin@qeparkbaptist.org.uk 

Kent Workplace Mission – East Kent Lead Chaplain

18 hours per week) Salary £18,500 p.a.

Coordinating and developing KWM Chaplaincy engagement across East Kent from Ashford to Thanet Kent Workplace Mission is a Local Ecumenical Partnership of Churches Together in Kent, and a registered charity. We promote and resource workplace chaplaincy as a model of mission, community engagement, and loving service. We work in partnership with local congregations and workplaces to offer chaplaincy support services across Kent, Bexley and Bromley.

We currently have teams in businesses, local councils, and town centres across the region. The majority of our chaplains are volunteers.
The Trustees of KWM are looking to fill the above vacancy, further details and an application pack are available from admin@kentworkplacemission.org

Closing date: 28.02.2026
Interviews at Canterbury: 01.04.2026
kentworkplacemission.org

Transform.church p/t Mission Enabler

transform.church, a fully digital Baptist Church, are currently looking for a 1 day per week Minister. The role is for a pioneer/mission-focused minister, whom we call a Mission Enabler. As this role will be home-based, they can be from any region. The church and role profile can be found here: http://transform.church/recruitment. Anyone who is interested should contact treasurer@transform.church.

Families' & Children's Worker (full-time) - Findon Valley Free Church (Baptist)

FVFC are looking to employ a full-time* Families' & Children's Worker; 40 hours per week (£26-28k, depending on experience and qualifications).  

FVFC are in the process of becoming a community Hub, and children’s and family work is a very important part of the vision for this outreach project. Pre-Covid, we had very little F & C work happening amongst families, it took place predominantly through our weekly Toddler group. More recently, this area has begun to develop across whole church life, with activities such as Sunday School, Messy Church, FVFC Kids Summer club, the Toddler Group ‘Open House’ and school liaison/assemblies. We are therefore looking for someone with a vision and heart to develop and build on our already established groups, but also someone who is not afraid to develop new ideas. Someone who is a committed Christian with a mature faith, dedicated, a self-starter who obviously can work within a structure but who has a vision for the church of the future.

Full details are available here.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter by email to administrator@fvfc.org.uk or by post to Richard Moore, Administrator, Findon Valley Free Church, 1-11 Lime Tree Ave, Findon Valley, Worthing, BN14 0DJ. 

*this post was previously advertised as a part-time role - but has been updated to full-time

Vacancies to represent SEBA across the area

SEBA have some vacancies on groups that you may be interested in (see list below).

• Two SACRE vacancies - on the panels, who provide input into how Religious Education is taught and collective worship is undertaken in our schools - the vacancies are in LEA areas of Surrey and Medway - click here for the role description - and here for the terms of reference. If you would like more information about the role of a SACRE representative, our current East Sussex SACRE rep, Peter White, is more than happy to have a chat - if you would like his details, please contact Steph Tidy (admin@seba-baptist.org.uk) 
• up to two Trustee vacancies for the Kent Workplace Mission - the KWM work in Kent, Medway, Bromley & Bexley supporting people of faith, at work; developing chaplaincy ministries in workplaces and helping local Christian communities to actively engage with their local economic community.  For more information, go to their website kentworkplacemission.org

If you are interested in being involved in this way, please email Steph steph@seba-baptist.org.uk 

If you would like to add a church-based or Christian charity vacancy to the monthly email please let me know steph@seba-baptist.org.uk

Please note, we cannot post vacancies for Church Minister positions, as these should go through your Regional Minister and the Settlement system.

Resources and Information 

Single Friendly Church Network

What is Single Friendly Church Network?

SFCN is a charity that encourages churches to welcome and value single people at every stage of life. 40% of UK adults are single but they don't always feel welcome in church. We provide free resources and training to equip churches to be inclusive of everyone, no matter their marital status.

'Single Ever After' - with Dani Treweek

Online event - Tuesday 17th March, 8pm
Does my singleness have a purpose? What actually is the gift of singleness?

Join Single Friendly Church Network on Tuesday 17th March at 8pm for an inspiring conversation with Rev'd Dr Dani Treweek, theological researcher and author of 'Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness'.

Dani will share with us a vibrant, empowering vision of singleness, and challenge some of the popular misconceptions surrounding singleness, marriage and meaning.

This will be an encouraging event for both single Christians and anyone looking to understand more about what the Bible really says about singleness. Book your free place

Online workshop: Becoming a Single Friendly Church

Tuesday 3rd March at 11am
Join Single Friendly Church Network for an online workshop on welcoming single people into church, Tuesday 3rd March at 11am. You'll gain practical tips in five key areas of church life, including:

• Understanding who is “single” in our communities
• Messaging: How to adapt church language to ensure everyone feels valued
• Welcome and Belonging: How to welcome and include people coming on their own
• Teaching: How to ensure teaching is relevant for everyone
• Leadership: How and why to include single people in leadership positions

This online event is free and open to anyone who wants to see change in their church. You will also have the opportunity to share your own ideas with others. Sign up to the workshop

Mother's Day Resources

Mother's Day can be a difficult day for many single people, but when churches handle it sensitively it can become a comforting and uplifting experience.
If you celebrate Mother's Day in your church, check out our tips for creating an inclusive and sensitive service with something for everyone. All based on research and listening to single people's voices:

• Mothers Day ideas for churches
• Top Tips for Mothers Day video
• Suggestions and resources for single people

‘One Body, Many Parts’: Independence or Interdependence?

Disability Awareness Sunday 2026

‘One Body, Many Parts’ (1 Corinthians 12) is the theme of this year’s Disability Awareness Sunday on 27th September 2026. Young autistic Christian author, Triona Brading, is encouraging all churches to ‘save the date'!
 
Triona is one of the authors of a new book: ‘Belonging without Barriers’, a much-needed resource on disability inclusion as a gospel issue, due out on 20 March 2026. Also by Triona Brading is ‘In His Image’, a colourful children’s book on what it means to be neurodivergent.
 
For Disability Awareness Sunday, Triona is teaming up with charity Through the Roof on a new free resource for churches, due out in April, exploring how all types of people are needed in God’s Church – including those who are disabled or neurodivergent.
 
In a video to accompany the resource, Triona will share her story of discovering, aged 21, that she is autistic. She is passionate about sharing the truth that being ‘different’ (in how your body or brain works) does not stop you being part of God’s family or using your gifts to strengthen it. ‘You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.’ (1 Cor. 12:27).

What is ‘Interdependence’?

Interdependence is depending on each other and on God to support our needs. The world encourages us to depend on no-one but ourselves. But Jesus encouraged true community and interdependence. The beauty of an interdependent church is the opportunity to bless and serve each other, bringing our unique gifts, skills, experiences, strengths and weaknesses for God to use to build his kingdom.

Triona herself explains how she sees God’s family, the Church, as interdependent:
‘Every part is needed: [1 Cor. 12] verse 21 gives quite a funny visual to imagine... (As an autistic person, I might chuckle to myself because I will imagine it literally happening!) “The eye can’t say to the hand ‘I don’t need you’. The head can’t say to the feet ‘I don’t need you’. In fact, it’s quite the opposite”.
Can you imagine it?! Body parts going rogue and breaking free of the body, hopping away and trying to live independently of one another? … That’s the thing about us as the Body of Christ. We need one another!’

Tim Wood, CEO of Through the Roof, who wrote the Foreword to the book ‘Belonging Without Barriers’, says:
‘At its core, accessibility is a theological issue. The Church is the Body of Christ and every member is an indispensable part of it (1 Cor 12). … Scripture teaches about inclusion, dignity and (one of Through the Roof's core values) interdependence. In a world that often prioritises independence and perfection, the gospel offers a different vision: interdependence and grace. Interdependence recognises that we are dependent on God and interdependent upon one another. Arguably it is modelled by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’

Join us to celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday

The College of Preachers 

Preaching with the Lectionary

Thursday, 12 March 2026, 10.30-13.00 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Stephen Wright
For preachers in those denominations that use the lectionary, it can be a powerful tool. But the lectionary can also sometimes feel restrictive. This workshop will look at how we can best use the lectionary to create meaningful sermons that bring the scriptures to life for our congregations today. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Stephen Wright. Prior to his retirement, Stephen was Vice-Principal of Spurgeon's College. He is an experienced tutor in biblical studies and practical theology. He was formerly Director of the College of Preachers, and has authored several books on preaching. Booking closes 9 March 2026

Preaching and Poetry

Monday 16 March 2026, 10.30–13.00 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Michael Hopkins
Poetry has always been part of God’s way of speaking: woven through the psalms, the prophets, and even the words of Jesus himself. Yet in our preaching, poetry can often be overlooked or flattened into prose. This workshop will explore how poetry can deepen our preaching: by sharpening imagery, stirring the imagination, and helping us proclaim God’s truth in ways that touch both heart and mind. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Michael Hopkins. Michael is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Church with more than 25 years' preaching experience. He currently serves as Moderator of the URC's Wessex Synod, and has previously served and Clerk of the URC General Assembly. Booking closes 12 March 2026

How to Use Humour in Preaching

Monday, 23 March 2026, 10.30-12.00 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Paul Kerensa
You may already use humour in your preaching. You may have run a mile from it. You may know what style of humour works for you. You may have no idea. Let’s look at some ideas for writing comedy and using it in your storytelling - as we bring the greatest story ever told to fresh ears. Come ready to write and get creative - and bring some jokes or tales if you like… but no pressure! This workshop will be led by Paul Kerensa. Paul is a writer, comedian and broadcaster, working in TV, radio, print and the stage. Paul has been on the writing team for numerous BBC sitcoms and other programmes. His books include So a Comedian Walks Into a Church (DLT), Hark! The Biography of Christmas (Lion), and a range of children’s books, including the new Fantastically Faithful series (SPCK). Booking closes 19 March 2026

Preaching to the Non-Religious

Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 18.30-20.30 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Gus Tanner-Ihm
All preachers will have moments when their congregations will include those who are non-religious. How can we preach in ways that will speak to them and communicate the gospel effectively? In this workshop, we will explore this question, looking at language and style of preaching and how we can reach the non-religious with an invitation to hear and respond to the Good News. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Gus Tanner-Ihm. Gus is a Church of England priest in the Diocese of Manchester. He is actively engaged in racial justice initiatives and efforts to help the Church grow younger by fostering greater engagement with children, youth, and young adults. In addition to his parish ministry, Gus is also a theological educator. Booking closes 10 April 2026

Lessons for the Preacher to Learn from Jack Reacher

Monday, 27 April 2026, 14.00-16.30 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Laurence Twaddle
We, as preachers, have a lot to learn from the discipline of keeping our content and presentation tight, stripped of padding, focused on the idea. The Jack Reacher style of communication has pace, vividness, and engagement while avoiding jargon, showmanship and ego. In this workshop, we will explore how we, as preachers, can learn to harness this style of communication to convey the great truths of the Gospel. This workshop will be led by Laurence Twaddle. Now retired, Laurence was for many years a Church of Scotland minister whose ministry covered parishes in town and countryside and latterly eight years in Geneva. In the course of his ministry, he supervised several new ministers in training. He is a regular contributor to The Preacher magazine. Booking closes 23 April 2026

Further details, including pricing, and booking links for workshops and the conference can be found on the College of Preachers’ website, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Baptists Together

Baptist Assembly 2026 United in Mission: Gathering and Sharing

Harrogate Convention Centre
15-17 May 2026



Baptist Assembly Group bookings – 5 for the price of 4   

Baptist Assembly is in Harrogate 15-17 May and we will be there. It’s a rare chance to gather from across the country, be equipped, share stories of what God is doing, worship together, and be encouraged in our shared mission.  An ongoing offer of 5 tickets for the price of four allows friends to organise a reunion or a group from church to take advantage.

Please use the discount code BA26ChurchGroup when booking. We would love to meet your whole church! If you can’t make the whole weekend, then there are a variety of ticket options.

Visit the Baptist Assembly website to book your tickets, find out more, and stay up to date with plans for 2026