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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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  • New Service Pattern

    Please note that as of September The Sole Bay Team will be implementing a new slightly reduced Sunday and midweek service pattern. Please do check on our individual church pages to make sure you have the most up to date information for all the services throughout the team.

  • Harvest Services in October

    The following Harvest Services will take place in October

    Southwold at 11:15 on October 5th

    Uggeshall at 18:00 on October 26th

  • St Andrew's, Walberswick, Family Service - 5th October

    Join us for our monthly family service. Coffee and pastries from 10:45 and Service at 11:15am. All are very welcome

  • Revd Judy Miller – 25th Anniversary of first Mass - 5th October

    Judy is delighted to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of presiding at her first Mass at St Peter & St Paul’s, Wangford, keeping the feast of St Francis of Assisi, as she did on that first occasion in 2000. All are welcome to join and celebrate this joyful occasion, 5th October at 11:15am

  • Seafarers Service - 12th October @ 3pm

    Join us for this popular annual service at St Edmunds, Southwold, including the Blessing of the Nets. All are very welcome

  • Lark Rise Retreats - September - Dec 2025

    ‘Does God want us to be happy? Spoiler alert- Yes!’ – a study day led by Jane Jennison at Metfield: Thurs 16th Oct and at at St Nicholas Church, The Ferry, Felixstowe on Saturday 25 October.

    Advent retreat days -

    ‘I am the Vine, you are the branches’ led by Sarah Wallington-Smith: Thurs 27th Nov -Lark Rise Felixstowe; Fri 28 Nov - at Metfield, near Halesworth; Sat 29 Nov - Lark Rise Felixstowe

    Days run from 10am – 4pm, cost £25/person includes refreshments & lunch.

    More details & bookings on www.larkriseretreats.org or call us on 01394 284421

  • Suffolk Chamber Orchestra – 19th October 4pm – 5pm, Holy Trinity, Blythburgh

    From Darkness to Light – an evening of music that celebrates the haunting beauty, quiet strength, and radiant light of our beloved Suffolk landscape through music by Gustav Holst, Arvo Part, Samuel Barber, Gerald Finzi and Brian Eno. Tickets £14.50 via TicketSource.

  • Worship for All.

    Please note the 9.30 service at St Edmund’s on the third Sunday in each month is now for everyone to worship together, with music led by the band and inclusive forms of worship. This will be a development from the former Messy Church. As the name implies, everyone will be welcome.

  • 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

    With the retirement of Revd Alan, should you need to contact a member of the clergy team on a Friday (Revd Russ’ 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

  • Guidance for those Attending Services - Coronavirus

    If you, or a family member, are displaying any symptoms of Covid or any other infectious illness, such as a high temperature, a runny nose, a cough, a heavy cold or flu like symptoms, please stay at home and consider joining one of the live-streamed services from the comfort of your home.

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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