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Changing Churches can be challenging : by Les Rees-Partridge
Les Rees -Partridge is an accredited preaching minister with the B.U and has been a long standing member of Northcote Road Baptist Church in SW London. Les is now one of our contributors to this site
This first entry is particularly poignant and may be of great help to others going through a change of church I highly recommend this to you. Pastor Ray Pountney East Hill Baptist Church
By Les Rees – Partridge
Anyone who has happily attended a church for many years will know the agony of having to decide to change to another church. I had attended Northcote Road Baptist Church for 68 years having entered as a 9-year-old boy, baptised and married there, had been a deacon and leader for most of my adult life, held numerous posts and ended up as Lay Pastor. My wife Carol and I even lived on the premises for ten years with our two daughters. However, last year it was becoming evident that with Carol’s physical disabilities, getting in and out of the building and moving around a raked auditorium was becoming impossible and we took the agonising decision to move to a more disability friendly church. It was not a decision we took lightly and because we really would have loved to have stayed, it was an agonising decision.
The question then became, which church should we transfer to. The answer was so easy. East Hill Baptist Church was nearer to where we live, the building has easy access, and we knew some of the people. I had known the old building whilst in Boy’s Brigade and had played for weddings and funerals now and then. I had met Pastor Ray on several occasions in the past so there was no difficulty in deciding that East Hill should be the church for us.
With the decision to transfer made, the formalities complete, and a fantastic send off by Northcote Road, we started our attendance at East Hill in February this year. Immediately we were welcomed with open arms and found a lively friendly fellowship. At first, it was difficult. During the first few services, I found my mind wandering, thinking about what was happening at that very moment in our former church. The services at East Hill are so different from Northcote Road and it took a few weeks to adapt to East Hill’s way of doing things.
Because we were so involved at Northcote Road, we decided to sit back a bit and ease our way into East Hill life gradually. But we soon became excited at the things that were going on, we just wanted to be actively involved. The first thing we noticed was how lively the Sunday services are with almost every seat taken. As a lifelong church musician, I was amazed at how the people loved their singing. Led by the fantastic worship group, the choice of song ranges from traditional hymns to modern worship songs and old gospel songs. Tambourines and small drums from some of the congregation added to the exciting sound of a church in worship. The music group welcomed me with open arms, and I soon found my place at the piano. We have a lively Sunday School, and we delight to hear them sometimes on the platform to regale us in song. Everyone who has a birthday is mentioned and can even choose the musical style of singing Happy birthday to you.
Weekdays are also a busy time for East Hill. The True Brew Café below the sanctuary is open 5 days a week serving delicious culinary delights where you can have good conversation, or a nice relax as you please. On Tuesdays, Pastor Joe Long holds a series of detailed talks on Church history taking us through the years since Pentecost. Then after a nice lunch in the café, one can pop into the sanctuary for a time of prayer, Bible study and fellowship, and finish off with a cuppa in the True Brew Café. On Wednesdays, those who enjoy crafts can come to the Craft Drop in, in the café, and I have found a little niche playing background music to the customers at noon.
For those unable to get out, or any computer buffs, there is a zoom Bible study on Wednesday evenings led by the lovely Len. On Thursdays, you can Count Your Blessings in the café and in the evening, for those who really want to get into scripture, there is the Bible College. A Family and outreach period fills Friday mornings and you can wind the week up on Saturdays with a prayer, praise, and healing service in the café. As we look to the future, we continue to trust in our Lord God and seek His will. He has been a mighty guide and a great God to us, and we continue to trust and obey his word as we move forward to the next stage in the life of East Hill Baptist Church. On 16th to 18th June, I will be representing East Hill at the Baptist Union Assembly at Telford, Shropshire. I hope to give a full report on my return.
Les Rees-Partridge
