Worthing Baptist Church

03/06/2026

I (Mike) became aware of the Pope’s latest encyclical while listening to an episode of The Rest Is Politics podcast, which has a really interesting discussion about it. I've only dipped into it so far, but plan to read more.

Although I’m not a Catholic (albeit one of my favourite theologians, Richard Rohr, is 🙂), and not everything about Catholicism resonates with me as a Baptist, I can still appreciate wisdom from the leader of another Christian tradition. Indeed, as Alastair Campbell shows on the podcast, you don't need to identify as a Christian to find some of its reflections thoughtful and worthwhile.

It’s a long document, so you may prefer to dip into sections rather than read it cover to cover. While it addresses AI, it’s about much more than that. It reflects on wider values that, whatever our denomination... or even whether we belong to a faith tradition at all... resonate with the Gospel and speak to the heart of what it means to be human.

There’s an interesting contrast between the biblical story of the Tower of Babel and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem. Both involve people building together, but toward very different ends: Babel as a project of human self-exaltation and control, Jerusalem as a project of restoration, community, and the common good.

Other key themes include love at the heart of the Triune God, the equal dignity of all people, the importance of human rights, and the responsible use of technology in service of humanity.

It also offers a critique of a world in which increasing power, influence, wealth, and decision-making are concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of people and organisations.

Worth a look if you're interested in how faith, values, and human dignity might help us think about some of the biggest questions facing our world today.

ENCYCLICAL LETTER MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV ON SAFEGUARDING THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE TIME OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [ Multimedia ] ___________________________

02/06/2026

Kate and I (Mike) saw Flamy Grant at Greenbelt Festival a couple of years ago, and we were genuinely blown away by her talent, her story, and her faith.

Becoming Flamy Grant was a massive contrast to the more than twenty years previously spent serving as a worship leader in conservative evangelical churches in the southern United States.
Her debut album, Bible Belt Baby, later reached No. 1 on the iTunes Christian album chart.

One Church Brighton (another Baptist church) are hosting Flamy Grant this November when she's next in the UK. I suspect tickets will go quickly, so if you're interested, don't leave it too long.

We are beyond excited that the one and only will be performing at One Church in November! Flamy’s music means a lot to many people in our community and we are thrilled to be welcoming her to perform in Brighton.

🎟️ Grab your tickets at the link in our bio!

01/06/2026

📚 Mini-Series at WBCh from the end of June!

"Desert Island Books: The Stories That Shaped Us"

Starting on Sunday 28th June, I (Mike) will be spending four Sundays sharing four books that have had an impact on me at different stages of my life. The idea was inspired by Desert Island Discs: “If you could take one book alongside the Bible, what might it be?” It was also prompted by a friend recently asking if he could interview me on his podcast about some of the books that have influenced me over the years.

Over four Sundays we'll be exploring:

🌳 The Faraway Tree – a childhood favourite

⚖️ To Kill a Mockingbird – a book that influenced me as a teenager

🏚️ The Shack – a book that reflected and influenced my developing theology when it first came out

🏡 Jayber Crow – a book I read a few years ago that had a gentle yet significant impact

Alongside the sermons, during the first part of each service there will be a short interview. Each week, a different person will share a story that has influenced them. It might be a book, a film, a poem, a song, or something else entirely.

Stories matter. They help shape how we see ourselves, one another, and the world around us. With these books and stories in mind, we'll be reflecting on how they resonate with themes found in the Bible and in the teaching of Jesus.

If you're looking for a book to read over the summer—or perhaps listen to as an audiobook—you might enjoy revisiting one of these or discovering it for the first time before the series begins. (There are also film adaptations of all but one of them—Jayber Crow being the exception!)

01/06/2026

Dave Tomlinson is a writer and former parish priest known for helping people explore faith with honesty and openness.

Nomad is a podcast exploring faith, spirituality, doubt, and life.

In this episode, Dave reflects on prayer, spirituality, and how encounters with God can be found in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

Loved it!

Mike

Podcast Episode · Nomad Podcast · 24 October 2024 · 1hr 35min

31/05/2026

26/05/2026

Over the next three Sundays we’re looking forward to welcoming the following preachers:

• 7th June - Rev Sam Corry (from One Church, Brighton)

• 14th June - Rev Peta Evans (returning to us once again after being so warmly received previously)

• 21st June - Our own Rev Peter Heath

Doors open at 10:00am for a 10:30am start!

Please note: these services won’t be livestreamed.

26/05/2026

On Sunday 31st May we’ll be having another of our informal coffee mornings, with lovely cakes from Lucia’s once again.

Doors open: 10:00am
Refreshments served: 10:30–11:15am
Finish by: 11:45am

Feel free to pop in for all or part of the morning. And if the weather is kind to us, some or all of us may sit outside for coffee, with shade available for those who prefer it.

24/05/2026

Thank you so much W***y for this morning ❤️🇳🇱🇬🇧(and cheers to you Doug ❤️).

20/05/2026

This Sunday, during the first half of the service, Mike will be talking to W***y about her life, her faith, and her hopes for the future.

Knowing her, she’ll no doubt also touch on the importance she places on kindness. Really looking forward to this!

18/05/2026

This Sunday at WBCh we continue — and conclude — our series in Philippians with a reflection titled:
“Bearing Witness to the Realities of Faith”

Together we’ll be exploring what an honest, grounded, non-pretending faith might look like in real life.

Philippians 4 is often quoted for its well-known verses about peace, strength, and contentment — but Paul writes them not from comfort or certainty, but from within hardship, limitation, and human struggles. And yet somehow, grace, peace, and hope remain present.

We’ll also reflect on the importance of honest stories of faith we share at WBCh — not polished “victory” narratives, but the kind of real, human witness that makes space for questions, dryness, resilience, doubt, increasing self-awareness and growth.

10:00am doors open
10:30am start
All welcome

And if you can’t join us in person, the service will also be livestreamed via our YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/live/_VvAuO1U450