Past events

Keep up to date with events at the Fishermen’s Chapel with our newsletter – sign up here.

The latest newsletter can be read here.

Update: An artist has now been found who would like to work with our pulpit. More details coming soon!

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We’re looking for an artist who would like to create something from our recently-removed pulpit. Interested? Read on.

Below: The pulpit as it was, in situ. It has now been removed and is at the back of the chapel.

Blaze visited the chapel in February.

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The next Blaze event – Rock ‘da’ Boat will be a Club Worship Night

Featuring DJ Wineflow with Thumping Beats | Fairground Food | BASSPrayer

When? Sunday 15 Feb 2015
Time? 7pm – 8:45pm
Where? The Fishermen’s Chapel
New Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2EA
Cost? Suggested entry fee £2 on door

Let us know you’re coming and share the Facebook event here.

There is free parking from 6pm in Car Park opposite. Please be careful when crossing the road outside. It’s Green Cross Code time. Don’t be a hedgehog.

You can download the publicity
as a PDF or a JPEG here.

So, see you there! God bless

The Blaze Team

PS. If you are not a youth leader, but a member of a youth group why not ask your youth leaders to bring you along?

PPS. Each youth leader is responsible for their own youth group, including transporting them to and from the event and accompanying them at the Blaze event. Thank you.

In January last year the Chapel hosted a Labyrinth. Some pictures are below. The Labyrinth will be returning soon – sign up for our newsletter to be kept updated.

More about the Labyrinth rrom Labyrinth.org.uk:

Labyrinth is an interactive installation for spiritual journeys. It’s for anyone who wants a break from surfing the surface of culture to contemplate the deeper things of life.

Labyrinth reshapes a 12th-century ritual for the 21st century. Its maze-like path takes you on a symbolic journey, creates space to unwind and think – in particular about our relationships with ourselves, one another, our planet and God.

Designed for young and old alike, it provides a mixture of rituals and visuals, of contemplative words and contemporary ambient music, of symbols and media to help guide the spiritual traveller.

At the studio we have a shared upstairs studio with one of the best views you can imagine, looking out over the estuary in Leigh-on-Sea. There are three desks, and from time to time there is some availability for new users to come and work here. Contact us to find out more.

Events that took place at the Chapel, Christmas 2014.

30 November: ‘As we embark on the season of Advent, a story literally birthed in Bethlehem, we adventurously explore themes of hope and anticipation. Through workshops, live music, discussion and art we enter the struggle for a just peace in Palestine and Israel and contemplate the peace required in our own lives too.’ See ADVENTurous

13 December: Lantern-making / carols at Strand Wharf

14 December: Carol Service at the Den
11am

21 December: Midwinter Carols with the Famous Potatoes
Folk carols by candlelight, 3.30 – 4.40pm (See flyer above)

And coming up…

In 2015: The Labyrinth returns. See photos from The Labyrinth at the Chapel here.

This year New Road Methodist Church is celebrating its relaunch as The Fishermen’s Chapel, emerging as a music, arts and community-based initiative connecting with the flourishing arts scene in the Leigh and Southend area.

Saturday 29 March was a day to celebrate this launch with an eclectic & atmospheric afternoon showcasing the immense potential of this beautiful & historical chapel.

Already a favourite venue of the Leigh Folk Festival, and with the fabulous Mid Winter Folk and Labyrinth under its belt, the launch event drew together diverse artists and performers to provide a chilled-out, enjoyable afternoon.

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Project manager Juliet Kilpin says, “The chapel is one of those buildings that often goes unnoticed, yet it houses a beautiful resource for the community and harbours a rich history of faith which is precious to the identity of Old Leigh.”

Alongside the worshipping congregation that continues to meet on the first and third Sundays of the month, several groups now use the chapel regularly, and the launch event gives an opportunity to meet and celebrate with some of these people. Resident cartoonist, Dave Walker, will be exhibiting some of his work, delivering a cartoon workshop and providing an art trail. Tuesday night regulars The Show Choir will be performing and local organist and Famous Potato Paul McDowell will be kicking things off with an organ recital on the chapel’s freshly tuned pipes.

There will also be an opportunity to hear a short history of the chapel from one of the church members.

The chapel hopes to encourage local talent so is delighted to be welcoming poets Ray Morgan (author of I Am The Swell of Each Wave) and Jo Overfield; local band Vacant Touch plus newcomers Humbug, an alternative Indie Rock band who have just released a demo track.

In the pop-up cafe Sarah Williams, a mixed-media artist with an interest in the language of textiles, will be running a workshop offering people the chance to consider the stitch as a method of drawing.

All in all the day offers a lovely free afternoon and visitors of all ages are welcome to pop in or stay all afternoon (as long as there is space!).

“There are many who have already discovered the captivating beauty of the chapel”, says Juliet, “but we hope that people who have not yet discovered us will come along and check us out and maybe even join in the adventure of re-imagining how this sacred space can continue to serve the local community.”

The launch day will conclude with a stand-alone ticketed event of ‘nourishment, stories and songs’ run by Made In Leigh Conversations in aid of Oxfam. Tickets for this separate event available at The Book Inn or on eventbrite.

The Fishermen’s Chapel: www.fishermenschapel.org.uk
Twitter: @newroadleigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefishermenschapel
Juliet Kilpin: Twitter: @julietkilpin

Carols on Strand Wharf – Saturday 13th December 2014, 6pm – 7pm

Beforehand, from 4pm to 5.30pm, come along to the Fishermen’s Chapel in New Road and make a paper lantern. The lanterns can be made and bought for £1, and then everyone is invited to parade to Strand Wharf with their lit lanterns to add to the festive atmosphere. We will also have light refreshments available.

The music is provided by the excellent Belfairs School Wind Band, The Salvation Army Band, and the event is followed by mince pies for all.

Remember to bring a torch so that you can read the carol sheets handed out at the event.

(Image: Flickr)

ADVENTurous is a collaboration of artists, musicians, explorers and adventurers who want to explore issues of justice and peace.

The original ADVENTurous took place in December 2012 at Union Chapel in partnership with Union Chapel and Greenbelt Festival. This year ADVENTurous ii is on tour, visiting several unique venues and drawing together a new collaboration of like-minded creatives including Amos Trust and Engedi Arts.

As we embark on the season of Advent, a story literally birthed in Bethlehem, we adventurously explore themes of hope and anticipation. Through workshops, live music, discussion and art we enter the struggle for a just peace in Palestine and Israel and contemplate the peace required in our own lives too.

On Sunday 30 November ADVENTurous will be at the Fishermen’s Chapel. Info & reservations at adventurouschapel.eventbrite.co.uk

Sundown Arts turns 11 in November and there’s a celebration at the Chapel on Saturday 22 November. We have comedy from Sarah Bennetto, music from Cusack and The Diamond Family Archive, and spoken word from Sammy Crooks and Shirley Baker. 7-10pm. £5 entry.

Sundown Arts