‘The first people we met at BSBC made us feel like family’ – Beth’s Story
Beth shares her story of life and faith.
Hi Beth, Thank you for meeting with me tonight to talk about your life story. Can you start by telling us about your parents and childhood?
In my family there are four of us. Mum, dad, me and Katie. We grew up in Potters Bar and we moved to Bishop’s Stortford in 2000 when I was 9 years old. I was upset to move as I had friends that I was leaving behind. I had a fairly typical childhood. My mum was an A&E nurse at Barnet Hospital and my dad was a social worker but became a minister around the time I was born. Katie and I went to church weekly but it never felt like a chore and felt fun. The first people we met when we arrived at Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church were Brian and Grace Purton who just made us feel like family.
What is it like being a minister's daughter? (has your dad coughed up the hush money?)
It is both good and bad. Good – we don’t have to try hard to fit in and there is lots to be involved in and being fully immersed. Bad — Dad used to say embarrassing stories in his sermons. I sometimes wish people wouldn't know so much about me without me telling them myself.
When did you become a Christian and get baptised?
here was no instant moment, but when I was 13 or 14 I started to think about this more and I went to Spring Harvest where everyone appeared to be full of the Holy Spirit and joy. After my sister Katie's baptism I realised that I needed Jesus and talked to Sue Rayfield. I started talking to her about it and then decided to get baptised at the Evangelical Congregational Church in Sawbridgeworth in March 2005 – as we didn't have a church building at that time. My dad and Nikki Savill baptised me.
What paid jobs have you had during your life?
I've always worked in catering since I was 16. I was a chef and then switched to baking in 2011 when I worked at Rosey Lea at Wickham Hall. I then worked as a baker at a patisserie in Witham. I love working with food and love everything to do with food.
Tell us when and where you met your husband Paul.
We met online. I was happy being single but one of my colleagues had been with her boyfriend for 10 years and I just thought it would be lovely to do things with someone else as a couple. I signed up to a Christian dating site and Paul messaged me the next day, and the rest is history.
What were your 2023 highlights?
The Grand Opening of the Bridge where Catherine Church and I organised the catering. It was such a great event.
Getting married to Paul of course was a major highlight.
On our mini moon we went to Edinburgh and saw pandas at the zoo, and we went to the Kitchin Restaurant where we met Tom Kitchin.
Getting both our rescue cats Pistachio and Hazelnut!
How are you serving at BSBC?
I serve as a youth worker, part of the Impact (11-18s) leadership group on a Sunday morning. I’m part of the Church Network Team. I am serving on the tea and coffee rota. I also provide food for church events where needed and I’m on the reading rota.
What are you excited about for 2024?
My dad and I are planning on doing a sermon together about feminism in church. I'm passionate about women's issues and inspiring girls to know it is OK to be a Christian and a strong woman. Church leadership can so often be male-dominated!
What are your favourite things or things you enjoy?
Faith, food and feminism, pub quizzes
Board games
All fluffy animals
The Office (US) TV show
