fishermenschapel

The Fishermen's Chapel, New Road, Leigh-on-Sea

Fake Folk Festival

We’re excited to announce that the Fishermen’s Chapel is hosting a 3 day fundraising festival for the Leigh Folk Festival in June! Save the dates now: 28th – 30th June. Some amazing musicians have generously offered support and will be playing upstairs, and there will be a cafe run by the Chapel downstairs. Entry is free, but funds raised from collections will go to the Leigh Folk Festival. Join us in June to support the local music community.

More details about the lineup will be posted here soon. In the meantime follow on Instagram: @fakefolkfestival2024

Our pattern of services

Great news – the Fishermen’s Chapel returned to a service every week from September 2023, when Heather was appointed to be our minister. The new pattern is as follows:

First Sunday of the month: Communion service, 9.30am

Our beautiful family service that includes Holy Communion is for all those who like to deepen their faith in a symbolic way that is steeped in history. We spend time: in prayer; listening to the Bible; having a short reflection from our minister; singing hymns modern and traditional; and sharing the Lord’s supper of bread and wine ( non-alcoholic). Everyone is welcome to join us at the table, however if you prefer a just a blessing or to remain seated that is fine too. To share in the sacraments is a transforming act which is so special – it can give great comfort and peace in our restless and challenging world.

Second Sunday of the month: Gospel service with the Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir and the Monday singers, 7.30pm. Doors open from 7 for refreshments.

Third Sunday of the month: Anchored (our cafe-style service with opportunities to be creative, ask questions, and put our faith into practice). Time change to 7.30 pm, but please make sure you receive our regular emails for details of any changes to this.

Fourth Sunday of the month: Mindfulness, 7.30 pm.

Fifth Sunday of the month (when there is one): United service with other Leigh-on-Sea Methodist churches.

A message from Heather, our minister

As of 1st September Heather Simmons is our minister at the Fishermen’s Chapel. Heather writes:

Hello! I am the new minister for The Fishermen’s Chapel. For those who have been journeying with me, you will know that I had my Welcome Service at my other church, Highlands Methodist. It was absolutely fabulous – we filled the church with people from the Methodist circuit, district, our choirs, and family and friends; it was truly joyous. A huge thank you to you all who prepared for the service and attended.

For those who don’t know me ~ I have a beautiful 17 year old daughter Georgia Baker who has just started 6th form and I am married to Dave Cooke who is a professional musician. We live in Southend city centre with my sister’s family and our rescue dog Bessie, who is the head of the household.

I have been a professional jazz singer and double bass player for 30 years, and I will continue to do that part-time as well as my ministry. In my role in the Methodist Church I will have pastoral responsibility for 2 churches, and I will begin developing the role of Chaplain to musicians in this area.

My passions are spending time with family and friends, live music/theatre/comedy/arts, cinema and walking in nature. I love good food and I am a vegetarian.

My personal faith is deeply rooted in the doctrine of Methodism which speaks out for: social justice, that all are welcome, the importance of music, a non-hierarchical structure and so much more. I am excited about being able to conduct same-sex marriages and hope that everyone will feel a warm and inclusive welcome in our churches. I am keen to involve myself and our church communities in working together with other denominations and inter-faith groups.

I also love to laugh, particularly at myself!

I look forward to serving my church family and the Leigh community. Get in touch and let me know what we can do to be the church that you need in 2023.

God bless you all,
Rev Hev x
Reverend Heather Simmons
Probationer Presbyter

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It was wonderful to have so many people at the official welcome service for Heather on Monday (4 September) at Highlands Methodist Church, where we were joined by the District Chair, Rev Dr David Chapman. There are some photos below – sorry about the poor image quality.

Good morning! I am very excited to be starting at The Fishermen’s Chapel as the new minister. Before, I say anything else though – a HUGE thank you to our most amazing minister Rev’d Pete Moorhouse who has been a truly fabulous minister. Pete is not leaving us completely as he is Superintendent, but is handing on to me to serve you lovely people. Pete will now be looking after other churches and of course the whole circuit, so we will continue to see him, thankfully. So I begin by inviting you to join me on Sunday morning at 9.30am for our Holy Communion service – all welcome 💒❤️

Serendipity Sounds sound bath events

Fiona Tudor-Tompkins leads regular ‘sound bath’ Sound Healing Therapy sessions at the Fishermen’s Chapel – check this post and our social media for the date of the next one.

The next sound bath

Fiona writes:

Dear Friends

I am very happy to be able to offer you a  Sound Bath on the first Friday of every month.
So please join me, and relax into the healing frequencies that a Sound Bath creates, here in the safe and sacred space of the Fisherman’s Chapel. Feeling relaxed , re-energised, refreshed, with a greater sense of  wellbeing and a spring in your step.
Please bring added comfort – a mat, a blanket and cushions for head and knee break if needed. Please contact me to book your space by email or telephone (details below). I look forward to seeing you soon.
Love always
Fiona

Monthly sound bath – general info

There will be refreshments (for a donation) after the session.
The session will be about one to one and a half hours, sound bath with half hour for tea or chai and a chat afterwards.

Please be sure to let Fiona know in advance if you are coming, and bring mats, blankets, and a cushion or two if you need them.

You can find out more and all details below. Any questions – please contact Fiona via the numbers / email address below.

Natural Healing Therapy – Serendipity Sounds

Hello, my name is Fiona. I am a retired Occupational Therapist and a Registered British Assoc and Psychotherapy (BACP) Counsellor.
In my working practice, I provided many Relaxation Programmes, to clients with various Health Conditions. To tailor to individual needs and develop my practice, I began researching into other types of Therapies that would complement the Relaxation and Healing processes. With a strong interest in music, the use of Sound for Healing really appealed, especially as Sound Healing is now being acknowledged scientifically and has been used for thousands of years within different cultures around the world.

Sound Healing is a branch of the Meditative Therapeutic Arts; it is one of the top Wellness trends at the moment.

Sound Healing can be defined as the intentional use of sound to create a vibrational environment which becomes a catalyst in the physical, mental, emotional or spiritual aspects of our being. Sound is used to realign the body’s vibration. These vibrations can also affect your brainwave frequencies
Mark Menolascino, MD explains that “everything in the universe has a vibrational frequency… Those vibrations interact with every cell in your body.” In other words, the vibrations made by instruments or vocals can actually interact with your body’s cells to create specific results: in this case, to encourage healing.
While more research is needed to establish just how effective Sound Healing Therapy can be, so far there is plenty of evidence suggesting it is an effective option to help people suffering from pain injury or stress, reduce low mood – depression and anxiety.
Even without science of sound of vibrations, there’s also evidence that sound baths and music therapy can be effective for healing as it encourages your body into the parasympathetic state, in this state our bodies produce nitric oxide which open blood vessels and increases efficiency of our cells and regulates blood pressure. It helps stimulate the immune system. Sound healing can bring about a balancing and harmonising of the body’s energy systems.
Here at Serendipity Sounds, a selection of sound is created through Crystal singing bowls, Tibetan bowls, chimes, gongs and occasionally the addition of stringed instruments.

It is excellent for managing stress and improves your overall wellbeing
It is a space where you can come to quieten the distractions of your physical environment
It is a space where you can immerse your whole Self, Body, Mind and Soul
It is a space where you can turn off your Brains distractive thoughts

There will be opportunities for you to attend a variety of venues at Sharon of Scents and Serenity or at the Fisherman’s Chapel in Leigh-on –Sea, or The Bay – Free Spirit Studio in Thorpe Bay. I would love to share this wonderful experience with you and look forward to meeting you.
For enquiries please contact Fiona on: 01702 304479 / 07809153952
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serendipitysounds4u/
Email: serendipitysounds4u@gmail.com

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is now every 4th Sunday of the month, 7.30pm at the Chapel.

An opportunity to take time out to be still.

Please do tell anyone who might find this a helpful session to attend.

The Chapel Volunteer Jobs Board

Most of the activities at the Fishermen’s Chapel are only possible because of the work of a team of volunteers. Could you help us out? Here are some of the latest jobs that we could do with some help with. All roles are voluntary. There are more jobs to be added, so do check back! To volunteer for any of these roles please contact us via email, or talk to us in person at a Wednesday coffee morning or another event. If you have any questions – do ask. Thank you!

Coffee morning refreshments
Setting up, serving and clearing away refreshments at our lovely sociable Wednesday coffee mornings. These take place every Wednesday from 10 until 12. You don’t have to bake flapjack (though we can give you the recipe if you want to!).

Chair stacker
We need someone to help stack and unstack chairs before and after the Sound Bath sessions that happen in the Chapel once a month.

Painters
There are quite often painting jobs that we need volunteers for in the Chapel. Could you come and join a painting party?

Reserve pianist
We are looking for someone who could play the piano occasionally at Sunday morning services when required. Would need to be happy playing hymns, and be confident sight-reading.

Leaflet deliverers
We deliver leaflets to people in the streets around the Chapel before our Artisan markets, special events, and at Christmas, etc. We could do with some help delivering leaflets. As much or as little as you can do – it all helps.

Do you have other skills that you’d be willing to use at the Chapel? Please let us know!

Anchored

Anchored has returned to the Fishermen’s Chapel. It was brilliant to have so many people at our first event on Sunday 17 September for discussion about ‘gifts’, including a mini cartoon workshop, and a prayer and gift-wrapping activity.

We’re generally meeting at the new time of 7.30 until 8.30 on the third Sunday of the month, (the time being in line with our other services), but please make sure you are signed up to our monthly emails to get the details about each session, as we may occasionally meet at a different time.

‘What on earth is Anchored?’, we hear you ask (especially as the flyer is remarkably vague…). Well, it will be different things different months, but essentially we’ll be exploring Christian faith through creative activities, asking questions, practical action, film, food, and anything else we think of. This month (September), Dave will introduce a short and very undemanding cartoon-based activity, we’ll read the Bible together (nothing too lengthy), have a chat and a chance to ask questions, and Eleanor will lead us in creative prayer. There are also rumours (unsubstantiated) of posh biscuits…

Anchored is suitable for all ages. Do come along, or if you have any questions ask us on our social media pages.

 

The Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir

Looking for something different to do this year? Why not join our Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir, singing traditional gospel music at the Chapel? Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening in the downstairs room, 7-8pm. Contact Heather for more details, 07879 232231. There is a new Facebook page for the Gospel Choir here: Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir – Facebook.

The choir sings at our ‘Gospel Vespers’ service every month.

Gospel service

Our Gospel services, on the second Sunday of the month, are now taking place in the Chapel once again. The service features the Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir, the Monday Singers, and a time when we share acts of kindness we have experienced. Feel free to arrive from 7 for refreshments, with the service itself starting at 7.30pm.

At Gospel Vespers we will now be collecting donations for Southend Foodbank. See here for the items that they really need (avoid pasta and baked beans!)

We’d love new people to join the Gospel Choir too – ask Heather for details at one of our services.

Coffee mornings – every Wednesday

Our weekly coffee gathering is every Wednesday morning at 10.30am. Come along for coffee, flapjack, and a chat. Over the summer we have been meeting at Belfairs cafe – please see our Facebook page every Wednesday morning or contact us for location info.

If there’s any change to this details will be on our Facebook page. If you can’t see this for any reason please let us know and we can notify you another way. Everyone is welcome – please come along!

Acts of Kindness

Each month at our Gospel service we are setting ourselves a challenge – to do an act of kindness on a particular theme.

For November 2022: Support local makers and artists via our Artisan Craft Market. As this has now passed, why not think about other ways to buy gifts that are good for us and the planet via the Fishermen’s Chapel Gift Guide.

For October 2022: Help someone who is homeless

This could be in an obvious practical way, such as chatting to someone, or buying them something to eat. Alternatively there are some links below that might inspire you:

Methodist Church – Homeless Sunday
Harp – Southend’s Homeless Charity – Get involved
Housing Justice – Your response to local housing need