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The Sole Bay Churches -
A family where everyone is welcome.

 

We are a team of eight churches located close to the beautiful Suffolk coast around the town of Southwold and the River Blyth.

Our ancient buildings are stunning (as you can see), but we are about people, not property! So whether you are a follower of Jesus, are looking for answers to some of life’s big questions, seeking to make new friends, celebrate a major life event, or simply wanting to be still and reflect, the Sole Bay Churches welcome all people (absolutely no exceptions). We will be only too happy to support you as we journey through life together.

We would love to meet you.

Services

We run a wide range of services across the eight churches in the ministry. From Eucharist to Common Worship services we have something to support you on your faith journey .To view a full calendar of everything we have to offer please click the button below.

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Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

Our parish churches are available for weddings, baptism and funerals. For more information on this please click the button below.

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Meet the Team

Click below to view the different members that make up the Sole Bay Team Ministry.

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  • Welcome to Revd Alix Taylor.

    Revd Alix Taylor was licensed by Archdeacon Rich Henderson as Interim Assistant Curate to the Sole Bay Team Ministry on Tuesday 25th November in St Edmund’s Church in Southwold. Eighty-Five people from all parts of the Sole Bay Team, and from her previous Parish in Beccles, came to the “low key” service at short notice to support Alix. We extend the warmest of welcomes to Alix as she joins us and wish her well in her ministry here.

  • Lumos – Friday 5th December St Edmund’s Church

    Step into a world of candlelight and music with this Coldplay Candlelight Experiencenfrom Lumos.

    There will be 2 sessions: 7-8pm and 9-10pm.

    For more information and to buy tickets visit

    www.lumos-experiences.com

  • Southwold and Reydon Choral Society – Friday 12th December St Edmund’s Church

    Join us for our annual Christmas Concert, “This Little Babe” where we will be performing Britten: A ceremony of Carols and Howells Collegium Regale with music by Poston, Tchaikovsky and Mathias. Tickets £12.50 including refreshments available on the door or from Ticketsource.

  • Visit from The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. 

    Anyone who has visited our cathedral will know that a service taken by Revd Joe is not something to be missed, and we are delighted that he is coming to join our worship on Sunday 21st December at 11.15am, St Andrew's Walberswick. We realise this is short notice for many of you, however if you're able to push back your lunch by an hour, your efforts will be worth it! 

  • Christmas services

    We have lots of events and special services coming up during December across the Sole Bay Churches.

    Please look at each individual page for more details.

     

  • Songs of Praise - 9:30am, 28th December St Edmunds Church

    On 28 December—the Sunday after Christmas—the service at 9.30 at St Edmund’s will take the form of an informal Songs of Praise, to include carols, hymns, or songs that you have chosen by the congregation. All Welcome

  • Sole Bay Team – New Office Hours

    Given that our Team office in the Stella Peskett Hall will now be being used for pastoral and internal meetings, there is a need to adjust the hours for drop in visits for administrative questions and queries. Going forward we will aim for the office to be open usually between 12 noon and 2pm, Tuesday to Friday. If for whatever reason we must close the office during these hours, there will be a notice on the door to inform you that the office is being used. Working hours for our Administrator will remain the same and she will still be available by telephone and email outside these office open hours.

  • Live Streaming Services

    Services are live streamed from St Margaret's the first and third Sunday of the month. The service can be watched via their YouTube channel. Just search for St Margaret, Reydon and subscribe for free to easily find the link each time you join our worship.

  • Clergy on Call - Fridays

    Should you need to contact a member of the clergy team on a Friday (rest day), please call Amanda Savory, Team Administrator.

    Amanda will be able to direct you to a member of the clergy team.

  • Food bank

    Thank you all for your support for the Sole Bay Foodbank. Donations can be made at our churches in Southwold, Blythburgh, Wangford, or the shop in Walberswick. If anyone is aware of someone in need who would benefit from a food parcel, please encourage them to contact Lowestoft Foodbank phone 07307866146 or email info @lowestoft.foodbank.org.uk

Safeguarding Introduction

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.

Safeguarding is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church in this diocese and is in line with our Growing in God strategy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

It is our policy to:

·     Promote a safer environment and culture;

·     Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility relating those groups who are at increased risk of harm or abuse within the church;

·     Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation

·     Care pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons;

·     Care pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons;

·     Respond to those who may pose a present risk to others.

 

In order to fulfil the above policy we will provide facilities to complete online DBS applications and to provide appropriate levels of safeguarding training in order to raise awareness and create an atmosphere of ‘informed vigilance’.

The diocese works collaboratively with: Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board, Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board and Suffolk Police Public Protection.

If a child or adult is at risk of immediate harm, call 999 now. 

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