Dear Friends, On June 15th we were permitted to unlock our church buildings and to welcome people for individual private prayer. This moment felt like a welcome first step in a return to normality. There has been some debate in … Continue reading
The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen’. Matthew 28:5-6 As we began this new decade in January of … Continue reading
Worship from home booklet Currently it is not possible for people to worship together, the various Church of England apps for Daily Prayer and Reflections are a wonderful resource and unite us in prayer. Alongside them, the Church of England have … Continue reading
#LiveLent: Care for God’s creation. I look forward to Lent every year. After I moved to Suffolk, I joined a group in Holton and subsequently reaffirmed my confirmation vows in St Mary’s Halesworth at the Easter vigil service in … Continue reading
Dear Friends, I was watching the start of the Rugby world cup a few days ago. One of the commentators said that it would be a real boost for our country to win because we have had such a difficult … Continue reading
“Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word”. Or is it? I wonder if you agree with Bernie Taupin’s words, who wrote the lyrics to this song which became a hit for Elton John in 1976 and Blue in 2003? … Continue reading
Call to action: Making a Faith Bridge with Christian is Climate Action 7-19th October To be honest, I’m often overwhelmed by the immensity of, and impending doom of the climate change discussion and felt powerless to take positive action … Continue reading
Soil and Soul Here we are in the harvest season, with festivals in churches across the team. I’ve spent most of my life in London, but ten years ago, my wife and I moved to Blythburgh. Harvest has taken on … Continue reading
Dear Friends, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43 verse 19a If I were to travel to Glastonbury my imagination would be fired by the ruins … Continue reading
The Season of the Spirit. Acts 2:6 ‘at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each’. I am often struck when I am on holiday how … Continue reading
Happy Birthday…. Thy Kingdom Come. This year we celebrate Pentecost on the 9th of June, 50 days after the late Easter this year. The altar frontals and celebrants will be resplendent in Red, and following the Ascension 40 days … Continue reading
Dear Friends In the week before Easter we remember that Christ was falsely accused by wicked people who sought to manipulate him for their own purposes. He endured a mockery of a trial at which justice was absent. Then after … Continue reading
Wake up call There are some nights when you think the morning is never going to come. Some infection has you in a feverish grip where dreams take you down a nightmare spiral. You feel enclosed in some prison … Continue reading
Dear Friends Jesus asked the disciples of John the Baptist, “What are you looking for?” (John 1 verse 38) Their awkward reply suggests that they were not really sure. I write as the season of Epiphany dawns with the story … Continue reading
LADIES FELLOWSHIP – Exciting news – we are moving to St Margarets in Reydon. Our 1st meeting will be 2pm on Wednesday 9th January 2019. We do hope you will come and join us for an informal bible study, praise and … Continue reading
The Ladies Fellowship would like to invite all the ladies of all the churches in the Sole Bay Team to an afternoon of Tea and Mince pies, at 2pm on Wednesday 5th December at St Andrews church, Walberswick. We can … Continue reading
Dear Friends, From the minister – Creationtide The heatwave this summer was a powerful reminder that our planet is not disposable! The evidence that carbon dioxide is heating the planet is seen in melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels … Continue reading
‘Love springs again that with the dead has been Love is come again like wheat that springeth green’. It seems surprising to mention that Winter has finally gone, but it has been a harsh winter and we were still … Continue reading
WAVENEY & BLYTH DEANERY DEANERY SYNOD With Helen Woodroffe Children’s Education Officer & Phil Bailie Diocesan Youth and Young Adults Officer Tuesday 19th June 7.30pm at St Luke’s Church Beccles Open to all.
Rise and shine We’ve finally come out of hibernation, stretching and yawning. After the long, dark nights of winter, after the storms and the late snows, we’re surrounded by blossom and birdsong. For me, springtime is when I … Continue reading
THE SOUTHWOLD PASSION On Monday 26, Tuesday 27, and Wednesday 28 March 2018 during Holy Week, members of Churches across Sole Bay and people from the local community will be performing a modern Passion Play in Southwold, in a … Continue reading
Experience #GodWithUs and explore what the Christmas story might mean for your life. Christmas Journey offers a simple daily reflection from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. Get it delivered free to your phone or your inbox. Join the journey … Continue reading
Inspired by Evensong – concert by the Blythburgh Singers in Holy Trinity Blythburgh on Saturday 2 September at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 on the door including interval refreshments.
Opens at 11am on the village green. Fun day of traditional village fete activity including dog show and Tug o’ War.
‘O I do like to be beside the seaside…….’ Since Sue and I moved here last October one of the many joys we have experienced has been living by the seaside and spending time at the beach. One of … Continue reading
‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.’ It was Julian of Norwich who wrote these inspired words that ‘all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner … Continue reading
Dear Friends In April we celebrate the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. On Palm Sunday we hear how Christ entered Jerusalem to an enthusiastic welcome. There were all sorts of hopes and expectations placed upon him by the people … Continue reading
Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent falls this year on 1st March. Lent is a traditional season of abstinence and self denial but is there any point to this ? Why did God give us chocolate if he didn’t … Continue reading
As the Feast falls near the equinox, the day is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. In England it is one of the ‘Quarter Days’, on which servants were hired, rents due, or leases … Continue reading
This month heralds the arrival of the Beach Mission in Southwold. I noticed in the July magazine this year that the Mission needs more volunteers. It must be difficult in today’s world to recruit enough selfless young Christians willing … Continue reading
Weekend of 31st July & 7th August 2pm to 5pm – Uggeshall Teas The ever-popular Uggeshall Country Teas will be held on the last weekend in July and the first weekend of August 2016 from 2pm to 5pm. Set in … Continue reading
The Annual Flower Festival and Meadow Sale at St. Lawrence Church South Cove, begins on Saturday, 30th July and will be open daily from 11am to 5pm. until Tuesday 2nd August. Admission is free and light refreshments are available There … Continue reading
Lunchtime (1.10pm to 1.55pm) Summer Sounds in St. Edmund’s Church, Southwold Free Admission with retiring collection. Monday 1st August – Sole Bay Singers, a local community choir conducted by Sian Mortlock Monday 8th August – Hannah Curtis, Soprano & Nicole … Continue reading
Lunchtime (1.10pm to 1.55pm) Organ Concerts in St. Edmund’s Church, Southwold. Free Admission with retiring collection. Wednesday 20th July – Roger Carter, Director of Music, St. John’s, Harpenden Wednesday 27th July – Tim Patient, Freelance Organist, Norwich Wednesday 3rd August … Continue reading
Dear Friends, People sometimes say to me, perhaps in the run up to Easter or Christmas, “now is your busy time.” My response is usually to wonder when was the quiet time! As you will see from this newsletter the … Continue reading
Dear friends As many of you are aware I have spent the period of Lent on a placement for my training in the Auld Valley Benefice just south of Saxmundham, a Benefice of seven churches in rural settings in … Continue reading
On 31st January at St Margaret’s Reydon we said goodbye to Revd Rich Henderson and his family. The church was packed for the occasion, and there was a special choir to lead the music. It was an emotional service, summed … Continue reading
Dear Friends, The beginning of February sees me coming to the end of my time in Sole Bay. It has been a very enjoyable and fulfilling time for me – and sometimes quite challenging as well! I have experienced so … Continue reading
Dear Friends, May I begin by wishing everyone a holy Advent, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. For clergy churchwardens and organists a Sole Bay Christmas is a very busy time, but also a very happy time. We … Continue reading
St.Margaret’s Church, Reydon Require an Organist & Choir Leader from January 2016 A small honorarium is paid For further details please contact The Revd Rich Henderson richhenderson@btinternet.com 01502 722192 Closing date for applications 16th November
Dear Friends, In late September, and during October church and village communities will be celebrating harvest festival. This is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the fruits of creation, our food, clothing and warmth, to pray for those … Continue reading
As we enter September we are in a time of change for our Team of churches and, in the wider Deanery, with a number of clergy moves and retirements. We have prayed with Revd Joan and Revd Lizzie and sent … Continue reading
Dear friends, I must admit, this is a strange letter to write. It is as many of you will have heard, my ‘moving on’ letter. Perhaps though it is appropriate to move on this month as it is exactly four … Continue reading
Dear Friends As we enter what is known as “Ordinary Time” in our liturgical calendar, we get to grips with the life and ministry of Jesus as told through the eyes of St Mark through our weekly Sunday readings. Mark … Continue reading
On Ascension Day, May 14th, our new Diocesan Bishop, The Right Reverend Martin Seeley was consecrated in a moving service in Westminster Abbey and on Saturday 20th June he will be enthroned, i.e. he starts work, at a service in … Continue reading
Spring into Lent March often sees winter becoming spring and in this month we continue our journey through Lent. Lent is like – a springtime for our spiritual lives, a time of reflection and renewal as we look forward to … Continue reading
Services in Southwold will be held in St. Edmund’s Hall on Sunday 15th February. Team Service for Ash Wednesday is being held at Holy Trinity, Blythburgh 7.30pm Lent book: Sacred Space for Lent – produced annually by the … Continue reading
Services in Southwold will be held in St. Edmund’s Hall on Sunday 8th February. REYDON CHURCH FESTIVAL WEEKEND – TODAY 3pm North Suffolk Youth Choir £7 – TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM ON THE DOOR 6pm Team Celebration Service with The Archdeacon … Continue reading
Dear Friends, At Christmas we celebrated the birth of Christ, God with us. Jesus of Nazareth was not born into a perfect world, and nor did he come to perfect people. He came to bind up our wounds, to … Continue reading
Deep into the throws of winter, advent and Christmas is one of those times we begin to ‘batten down the hatches’, as it were. With the long hours of darkness it gets to a point that once home of an … Continue reading
TODAY – Diocese Centenary Celebration Service 3.30pm at The Cathedral to give thanks for the many celebrations over the past year – all are most welcome to attend. There are still a few places left for NEXT SUNDAYS COACH … Continue reading
Today our All Souls Service is 3pm at St. Peter & St. Paul, Wangford. This is an opportunity for all those would like to remember loved ones who have passed away to pray and to remember. Names of many are … Continue reading
This is an invitation to four meetings which will help us to slow down so that we can prepare for Christmas with joy and mindfulness by reflecting on the meaning of Advent. Each week we will look at the meaning … Continue reading
Waiting in Advent During our summer holiday a Spanish local said to me ‘you British are experts at waiting’, what he was commenting was me (and others) patiently waiting in a queue at a bakery. In a recent article it … Continue reading
Dear Friends I am writing as a Scottish woman in Suffolk on the day of the Scottish Independence Referendum. Our future is still unknown and I am unable to comment on the result. What I would like to comment on … Continue reading
Revd. Lizzie is currently not working due to undergoing intensive treatment. Lizzie is thankful for your continued support and prayers. We are hoping that Lizzie will be back to full duties by the end of October. St. Margaret’sChurch … Continue reading
Dear Friends The headline news from early August was the world wide commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Great Britain’s entry into the first world war. Our local team of churches in Sole Bay participated in these global events by … Continue reading
Taking time out…to be! We somehow manage to fill our days with all sorts of activity. I heard on the radio the other day someone speaking about pausing for moments during the course of the day. The suggestion was to … Continue reading
The first days of August will see national acts of commemoration to mark the 100th anniversary of Britain’s entry into the First World War. On the evening of Monday 4th August a moment of solemn reflection will be held in … Continue reading
We look forward to welcoming the annual Scripture Union Beach Mission to Southwold once again this year. There will be morning activities each day for children of school age and for young people, and Bible studies for adults. There will … Continue reading
Dear Friends, In this edition of Heart and Sole you will find the first of a new page entitled “Thanks and Praise.” There are many things to give thanks for, and many acts of kindness and support that make a … Continue reading
Dear Friends Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Even though the likelihood is that you will read this well after Easter, I want to begin by wishing you all a very Happy Easter. I hope it was a blessed time for you … Continue reading
Easter is a time when we celebrate the triumph of life over death, the triumph of God over sin, and the reality of Christ’s risen life in us. We prepare for Easter by taking stock of where we are spiritually, … Continue reading
Dear Friends The lengthening of the daylight hours……….that’s really what Lent means. It comes from an old Saxon word “Lencten” meaning to lengthen as day by day we enjoy longer light and appreciate the greening which comes at this time. … Continue reading
In late January the universal church celebrated the week of prayer for Christian unity. In Southwold and District the local churches participated, and a special service was held at Southwold Methodist church on 21st January. My experience of the church … Continue reading
This month we introduce a revised pattern of Sunday services across the team. The changes are fairly modest, and are intended to reduce duplication, encourage a sense of “team” and to prepare us for the future. I have previously written … Continue reading
Dear all, As a new year dawns upon us, yet again we find ourselves with an opportunity of renewal. An opportunity to make a fresh start, making whatever resolution we choose, and sticking to it for all of about … Continue reading
