Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester


                                                  Notices for the month of February


Our February services will include guest speakers, we will share Communion on 1st February


Deacon's Meeting: Please be in prayer for the Deacon's Meeting on Tuesday 3rd February at 9.30am.


Refreshments: we are continuing our trial serving the after service refreshments from the hatch in the middle room, towards the front of the building. This will be reviewed at the Church Member's Meeting on 25th March.


Prayer Meeting: Wednesday 11th February at 7.30pm


Church Building Meeting: Wednesday 11th February 1-3pm. There will be a further meeting of the group looking at Church property and the use of our rooms etc.


Calling any Musicians: If there are any musicians in our church family who would like to join us any Thursday evening when we practice for the service on Sunday and learn new songs please do come along. You don’t have to play with the group on a Sunday if you prefer not to, but it would be lovely for us to worship together


Lost property: Please note that on the first week of each month any lost property will be laid out at the back of the Hall and, if not claimed it will be appropriately disposed of.


Keeping Church Tidy: We have been trying to keep the Church tidy, so please make sure that you put things away after using them and that you don't leave your personal property laying around or it will be put in the Lost Property bin.


Work Day: Advance notice that there will be a Church work day on Saturday 7th March 9am until 3pm if you are able to come along for any part of the day and give a hand with general tidying/cleaning, small maintenance jobs around the building it would be greatly appreciated.


Nomination and Election of 3 Deacons. We are inviting nominations for 3 people to join the team of Deacons - Richard’s & Hilary’s terms as Deacons end in March, and as our constitution limits Deacons to 2 consecutive terms, they are not eligible to serve as Deacons again until March 2027.


Information on what it means to be a Deacon/Trustee can be found on the refreshments table or can be found here: Legal Documents - Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester.


Nominations must be made on the forms also found on the refreshments table, with the supporting signature of two other Church Members and the consent of the candidate. The completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Church Secretary (Paul Bocking) not later than the 8th March ready for the election which will take place during our Annual General Meeting on 25th March.


CYO Celebration: Saturday 14th March, 10am-12noon at St Anne's Church, Compton Road, CO4 0BQ. Please book your space through: CYOcelebration2026.eventbrite.co.uk. If you are unable to do this, or if you need a lift to attend, please speak to Audrey.


Birthdays in February: Linda's birthday is on 9th February, Jennifer's is on 12th and Malachi's is on 19th, wishing you every blessing in the year ahead.


Dates for your diary:


  • Work Day Saturday 7th March, 9am – 3pm

  • Last day for Deacon Nominations Sunday 8th March

  • Prayer meeting Wednesday 11th March at 7.30pm

  • CYO Celebration Saturday 14th March, 10am-12noon

  • Church Member's Meeting – AGM, Wednesday 25th March at 7.45pm


Our regular activities:


  • Craft & Crochet Club, Mondays 1.30-3.30pm at the church; contact Hilary for more details.

  • Discoverers, Tuesdays 1pm at the church; contact Jennifer for more details.

  • Tuesday Homegroup, 7.30pm in Abberton; contact Paul or Linda R for more details.

  • Wednesday Homegroup, 7.30pm at the church; contact Hilary for more details.

  • Little Pips Toddler Group, Thursdays 9.30-11am; contact Julie for more details.

  • Soup and Social, Thursdays 5-7pm; contact Annette for more details.

  • Table Tennis Group meet weekly on a choice of evenings, contact Paul B for more details.

  • Cake & Cuppa meet Fridays at the church 1.30-3.30pm, contact Annette for more details.


Prayer Requests: If you have a prayer request, please phone the Church mobile: 07354 450399 or email prayer@orchardbaptist.co.uk


Pastoral matters: Please leave a voice message or text on the church mobile 07354 450399 which is checked daily. For urgent matters, please phone one of the Deacons.


March Notices: If you have any notices for the month of March please email notices@orchardbaptist.co.uk by 25th February.


If you would like the notices emailed to you rather than obtaining a printed copy, please see Jan.