This summer, The Chapel, Mortimer West End, have been taking part in the Lighthouse Holiday Club, with St Mary’s Church, Burghfield and Mortimer Methodist Church.

At the weekend, many of the Lighthouse volunteers and their families came to The Chapel for a shared meal, joined by St Mary's and Mortimer Methodists. This gave everyone a chance to celebrate a successful first year of the Lighthouse, combined with the hope of reaching more children in future years to share the wonderful stories and amazing life of Jesus.  

Many thanks to Marion Goldsmith, Kuldip Kennedy, Catherine Jenkins and Clare McCann for their help in hosting the celebratory meal.  

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse is a popular, week-long, non-residential Christian summer holiday club for primary school-aged children (ages 5 to 11) run entirely by local church volunteers.

The initiative began in Great Missenden and Prestwood in 1987. There are now 17 Lighthouses - Beaconsfield, Bicester, Burghfield, Burnham, Cressex, Denham, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Loudwater, Mansfield, Marlow, Princes Risborough, Safe Harbour (a specialist Lighthouse for children who have additional behavioural needs), Shelswell and Water Eaton.

Many people describe Lighthouse as 'the best week of the summer holidays'. It is a Christian holiday club that delivers a fun week-long non-residential summer holiday programme for children of primary school age run by local churches working together, open to children of all backgrounds. It is run by volunteers from the age of 12 to 90 and is free to attend.

At Lighthouse the aim is for children to discover God’s amazing love for us all. As well as opportunities to explore the bible, the children enjoy crafts, drama, sport, action songs, messy games, gunge and ‘Discovery’ (teaching) sessions.

To learn more about the week visit the Lighthouse Burghfield page on Facebook.  

Slough Community Church (SCC) has for some time been involved in an outreach programme in the Philippines, supporting a remotely located school in Sitio Quinomay.

The progamme, Agape: Reshaping Academic Lives (A:RAL) is rooted in a simple conviction: ‘that love in action can help reshape the academic lives of children whose schools and communities are often far beyond the reach of everyday support’.

Below is an update of what has been happening with the A:RAL programme from SCC, which is led by Pastor, Ariel Samoza.

A Journey

We would like to take you on a journey. It begins on a motorcycle through the mountains of Balugo in Oriental Mindoro, a province in the Philippines. The official road does not continue all the way. As the terrain becomes increasingly difficult, the motorcycle must be dismounted, and most of the remainder of the journey must be made on foot. 

All in all, the route means crossing the river 31 times and travelling for up to three hours each way, weather permitting, before reaching Sitio Quinomay. Then, after one final river crossing, Quinomay Elementary School comes into view. 

For many, this would feel like the end of a long and difficult road. For A:RAL and our Partners (Project Yakap), it is the beginning of a renewed commitment. Every river crossing is a reminder of the barriers children, teachers, and families face in accessing basic education. Every step towards the school is a reminder that those barriers can be met with faith, partnership, perseverance, and love. 

About A:RAL 

A:RAL was founded during a season when Covid disrupted learning across the world. For remote communities, the disruption was especially severe. When classrooms close, travel is difficult, resources were more scarce than ever, families stretched and children can quickly fall behind. A:RAL was founded to help restore hope, strengthen learning, and remind pupils that they have not been forgotten. 

Our projects focus on walking alongside Quinomay Elementary School and the community of Sitio Quinomay. It is about more than delivering supplies or visiting a school. It is about building relationships, finding ways to support academic life in ways that are meaningful and sustainable and spreading joy in any way we can.  

A:RAL Support 

At A:RAL, we firmly believe that education is one of the keys to changing a generation. Fortunately, the teachers of Quinomay Elementary School are already committed to making the journey and delivering education to the children of Sitio Quinomay. 

However, because of the village’s remote location and limited income opportunities, A:RAL seeks to bridge the gap by supporting the children, families, and teachers with their everyday school needs so that education can continue with dignity, confidence, and hope. 

Over the years, we have supported Quinomay in many small but meaningful ways, and every act of support has been met with such happiness and enthusiasm. During Covid, we began with school supplies in the form of printing materials. Later, after noticing that many children did not have slippers, providing footwear became our next goal. With the generous support of family back home, P.E. kits were also sponsored. 

We were then able to set the children up with their own school supplies: notebooks, folders, pencils, and the everyday essentials they would need to begin the school year well. We have also had the joy of sponsoring their Christmas parties, which are always whole-community occasions, with the entire village gathering together to celebrate. 

Those Christmas celebrations later sparked an additional project, Clothing the Community, through which care packages were sent back home filled with clothes, snacks, and toys. Most recently, we were able to complete our school uniform project for 107 pupils. It was their first time wearing a school uniform, and the reaction was incredibly heartwarming. 

There was a visible sense of pride: pride in their education, pride in showing up for school, and pride in showing up for themselves. Parents and teachers were deeply grateful, explaining that it was the first time such a thing had happened for them. And, of course, with every trip there has also been an abundance of food, fun, and games with the children. 

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this amazing endeavour so far. We are especially thankful to our contact in the Philippines, Mark Manalo, who tirelessly gathers a team of friends — some from his church and others from his wider community — to make the journey up the mountains and help bring each project to life.

Join us

This journey to Quinomay is not simply a story about distance. It is a story about dignity, opportunity, partnership, and the power of love expressed through action. A:RAL exists to support what is already growing: committed teachers, eager children, resilient families, and a community that continues to value education despite many challenges. Each notebook, each uniform, each meal shared, and each celebration is a small reminder that these children are seen, valued, and worth investing our time and care in. 

As A:RAL continues to grow, we invite you to follow the journey, pray with us, partner with us, and help reshape academic lives one child at a time. If you would like any more information about the work of A:RAL, our latest projects, or how you can support future visits to Quinomay Elementary, please do reach out — we would love to hear from you. 

Pastor Ariel, Slough Community Church (SCC)

Get in touch with SCC via their Facebook page

Long-standing member and stalwart of The Connexion, Margaret Staplehurst, has recently passed. Below is a short tribute, highlighting some of her many interests and achievements.

Appreciation of Margaret Staplehurst by Brenda Baldwin

This is just a short appreciation of Margaret. Others will have known her longer than me and can speak of her involvement in youth conference in earlier days. I think from what Brian has told me that there was a lot of fun, some high jinks, but above all lasting friendships were made.

Then there was Margaret’s unflagging interest in Sierra Leone, and her many links with people and churches there over 40, perhaps even 50 years. Equally important was her outstanding and knowledgeable contribution to the SLM over the same length of time.

I knew Margaret as the de facto Keeper of The Connexion’s archives, mostly kept in her house. There were old Trustee minutes, those of different chapels now closed, newspaper cuttings and a wide range of ephemera. Margaret dealt with innumerable enquiries with great knowledge, interest and patience. She was the “go to” person for the history of the Connexion.

But above all I remember Margaret as being devoted to Douglas and his well-being in their very happy marriage, and for her continuing prayers and love for Jenny and Mike and the family.

Brian and I held Margaret (and Douglas) in the highest regard for their faith, faithfulness, integrity and winsomeness. Margaret was another stalwart of The Connexion, but much more importantly, she loved Jesus and his kingdom very dearly. It is good to know that she is now resting with her Lord and other saints in glory.

 

Following the recent passing of Mike Ward, Trustee and long-term member of Goring Free Church, Brenda Baldwin has kindly provided us with a personal recollection of her friendship with Mike.

MEMORIES of MIKE WARD (1960-2026) by Brenda Baldwin

Many of The Connexion folk will remember Mike with great affection, as I do. This is a short personal appreciation.

My first significant contact with Mike was when I gave him a lift to work one morning outside Goring station. (Trains were an abiding love of Mike's throughout his life). He had just become involved with the project to revive the cause at Mortimer West. He asked if I might be interested in joining one of the teams; prayer, feasibility, development. I opted in, with more long-term consequences than I might have imagined! That was in 1991.

Mike had already become involved with our sister churches in Sierra Leone. His first trip abroad was a 2 year VSO posting to Freetown where, using his accountancy skills, he became Freetown City Treasurer. He made many friends in Sierra Leone, including Clinton Jackson and Reuben Dove, and later Magnus and his family. He was a valued part of the SLM too, working with Ken Stone, Christine Stone, Ben Quant among others, and not forgetting Ella Roberts of Goring and her highly successful campaign to supply new beds to the Milton Margai School for the Blind .

Mike visited Bosnia and other trouble spots in the 1990s, usually managing to find some steam trains to photograph. In his professional capacity as a skilled accountant, he also worked variously with Oxfam, the EU, the World Bank and latterly CAFOD. More recently he started and ran a much-needed community bus service in the local villages around Goring; largely funding this out of his own finances as public money become more difficult and other sources dried up.

To me Mike was ‘nephew’ and he called me ‘Auntie’ because my maiden name was Ward. He was devoted to his ‘parents’ (Mike was adopted) and to looking after them as they aged. He was funny, warm, perceptive and nobody's fool, insightful and sharp where money was not well spent or properly accounted for. He was very committed in his faith, showing it in his stewardship, love of Sierra Leone and in a kind and generous heart. 

We often joked about fish heads (in the Sierra Leone diet) and the number of spuds Mike could consume at the Conference at High Leigh!

Now Mike can look forward to a more sumptuous banquet in glory. Amen.

'Auntie’ Brenda

(Photo shows Mike Ward with Donald Manley)

We would be grateful if you would join our Connexion churches and wider community in prayer for Marion Hart.

Marion’s husband, Ken Hart, who served as Pastor of Cradley Church and President of The Connexion, passed away in March this year.

Since that time, we have been holding Marion and her family in prayer, asking for comfort and strength in their loss. We now ask you to join us in continued prayer for Marion’s physical healing following two recent falls in her home and garden. These have resulted in a bleed on the brain, and she is understandably very weak.

We give thanks for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for Marion's full healing and restoration.

 In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Thanksgiving Service for Brian Baldwin (1932 - 2026) was held at The Chapel, Mortimer West End, on Saturday 25 April.

Brian's wife, Brenda, sends her heart-felt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the service, plus the many who have passed on their good wishes, which have been greatly appreciated.

A recording of Brian's service is available below for those who were unable to attend in person.

 

Ken Hart, who served as a Pastor at Cradley Church and later as President of The Connexion, will be greatly missed by many within The Connexion.

Tribute to Ken Hart (1938 - 2026) by Gordon Hamilton

Pastor Ken Hart, aged 87, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on 1 March this year. A faithful servant of Christ, Ken devoted his life to preaching the gospel, shepherding God’s people, and encouraging all who knew him. 

After retiring from Baptist ministry in Essex, Ken and his wife Marion moved to Malvern, where they soon felt the Lord’s call to Cradley Church. Ken went on to serve there as Pastor for 17 years, giving wise leadership, steady pastoral care, and a warm, gracious presence that blessed the fellowship deeply.

Ken also served the wider Connexion as President for two years, faithfully guiding and supporting fellow ministers before handing over to Janet O’Shea. His humility, kindness, and steadfast faith left a lasting impression on many.

Many will especially remember Ken’s interviews as President at the annual Conference. Seated on the stage, with warmth and gentle humour, he drew out news from churches across the Connexion, encouraging ministers and members alike to share what God was doing in their communities. With thoughtful questions and an attentive spirit, he made space for every contribution, so that even the smallest fellowship felt seen, heard, and valued.

We thank God for Ken’s long and fruitful ministry, and for the love and devotion he showed to Marion and his family throughout his life.

Ken had been in poor health for several months. Please pray for Marion and the family at this sad and tender time.

Ken's memorial service was held on 18 March at Malvern Evangelical Church following a funeral at The Vale Crematorium.

Gordon Hamilton

This weekend Brian Baldwin's family and close friends will come together for a special thanksgiving service to celebrate his life of 93 years. Brian was a devoted member of Mortimer West End Chapel, a former Chair of The Connexion Trustees, and he also served as President and General Secretary of The Connexion.

Tribute to Brian Baldwin (1932 -2026) by Brenda Baldwin

Many people will remember Brian as he became part of the Connexion as far back as the 1960s and which actively continued until 2008. Even then he attended The Conference until these last few years.

Brian was born in Yorkshire, went to school in Manchester, then University in Liverpool and London (studying biochemistry), and after a brief spell of National Service in Germany, he worked throughout his career as a Research Scientist in plant protection in Bracknell, Berkshire.

Brian met his first wife, Marjorie, in Liverpool before moving to Wargrave. Two children followed, Alison and David. The family became involved in the Countess of Huntington Chapel in the village, and all attended the annual conference. Brian and Marjorie were house parents to the young people, getting to know Graham and Lynn Squibbs, Margaret Staplehurst and others at that time. They have some good stories to tell!

In 1968 Brian was invited to become a Trustee, and subsequently served The Connexion as Chairman, President and General Secretary. He always spoke fondly of his other Trustees with whom he worked for many years, Gilbert Kirby, Roger Davies, Roger Staplehurst, Norman Lloyd, Bernard Mayo and Ken Stone.

Brian loved The Connexion and its people. Perhaps his legacy is that he tried to guide it as Chairman through a time of change. He valued the history of the Connexion, its firm roots in the faith of the Countess and the evangelical revival, but he also wished to see it adapt to the new challenges of the twenty first century. He remembered Gilbert Kirby’s remark at the rededication service at Mortimer West End Chapel, ‘Hats off to the past, coats on for the future’.

This meant revising the scheme to include Believers Baptism, being open to more modern worship, and generally being less stuffy!  An incident I remember from conference (2000 I think) is when Brian and I did a skit on the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. Brian went down on one knee and completely hammed it up. Somebody commented, ‘I never seen a Trustee do that sort of thing’.

A deep sadness for Brian was when Marjorie died in1990. Sometime later we met on the restoration project at Mortimer West End Chapel. Brian was on the team as Trustee, and I was a member from Goring, which initiated the project. Despite being rather slow on the uptake, we eventually decided the other was a good thing and married in 1995.

Brian was blessed with a long life (93 years), two very happy marriages, two wonderful children, seven grandchildren and, so far, four great grandchildren.

Brian’s life throughout was centred on Christ, to whom he would give all the glory. Now we can be thankful that he is with the Saviour whom he loved and served.

Brenda Baldwin

 

Our Connexion churches and communities have begun meeting online for a monthly prayer evening, led by Sat Deodhar from the Countess Free Church, Ely.

Read Sat's report below for more information:

A Connexion in Prayer: Coming Together in Faith

"I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20

What a wonderful assurance we have of God’s presence when believers come together as a Connexion family. We have been making a firm, regular commitment to gather and spend an hour in dedicated prayer, meeting in a shared digital space via Microsoft Teams.

 

Our Vision and Objectives

• Fostering Unity: To become more aware of what God is doing across other Connexion churches and to be encouraged by His work within our wider church family.
• Providing Support: To identify, uplift, and stand with churches that may need extra encouragement and vital support in prayer.
• Meaningful Fellowship: To ensure our time together is intentional, keeping strictly to a one-hour format to make the evening both meaningful and accessible for all.

How We Gather

The journey thus far has been deeply encouraging. We consistently see more than 12 devices joining these prayer meetings. Sometimes this represents an individual, and other times it is an entire group of people joining together from a single device.

We meet monthly, usually on Tuesdays. For one of our Connexion churches, this gathering beautifully replaces their regular Bible study, allowing them to join in and pray alongside the wider Connexion family located across different parts of the country.

Our Prayer Focus

During our prayer evenings, we dedicate our time to several vital areas:

• Urgent Needs: Let us pray for any pressing or immediate requests that our members bring to the evening.
• The Connexion Family: Let us pray for the various churches within our network, asking for God's continual guidance, growth, and blessing.
• The Sierra Leone Mission: Let us pray for our ongoing mission work in Sierra Leone, which remains a constant and cherished part of our prayer life.

Join Us

Our next gatherings are scheduled for 5 May and 30 June at 8pm. We warmly invite you to join us on Microsoft Teams as we continue to support one another in faith and witness the power of praying together. 

If you are interested in joining our meetings please contact me by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the Countess Free Church. 

Thank you!

Sat

(Image by Patrick Fore on Unsplash)

Congratulations to Jennifer and Edith, members of Wormley Free Church in Broxbourne, who have received this year's Care and Commitment Award from Churches Together.

This joint award was in recognition of Jennifer's and Edith's dedication in serving others.

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 2:1-5)

Ben Quant, Minister and Connexion Trustee, said: 'For many years Jennifer and Edith have been at the heart of our outreach. In particular they have helped run our Toddler Group and Drop-In, not just working hard but doing so with ongoing attentiveness and concern towards others. Between them they also play a key role in our prayer life, are involved in the World Day of Prayer and help run our Conversation Cafe. We’re delighted that their efforts were recognised in this way and are inspired by them!'