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.
Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals
Our parish churches are available for weddings, baptism and funerals. For more information on this please click the button below.
Meet the Team
Click below to view the different members that make up the Sole Bay Team Ministry.
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St Edmund's Church - A Pop-Up Concert (approx. 45 minutes) 1pm on Thursday 19th June by Vegan Queen V.
Vegan Queen V is an animal rights and human rights activist, sharing powerful messages of truth, love, compassion and freedom through her songs, and through her daily practices which she shares through social media. goes here
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A Service Celebrating Community Service and the Arts Sunday 22nd June 11.15 am – St Edmunds Church
Join us for this ecumenical service, led by Revd Russ Gant, as we celebrate the creativity of the Arts Festival, the commencement of the new Mayor of Southwold’s term of office and give thanks for all those who serve our local community. All are most welcome.
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St Edmunds Church, No Choral Evensong 22nd June.
Please note due to additional services, there will be no 6.00pm service of Choral Evensong, on Sunday 22nd June.
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Youth Worship Night – Sunday 22nd June, 4 – 5:30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Bungay.
An afternoon of worship and bible talk with guest speaker Laura Mumford - Growing Younger Enabler. Refreshments provided. All are welcome.
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Southwold Arts Festival - concerts at St Edmunds Church: Sunday 22nd June at 7.30pm
Nathan Williamson will accompany Rob Gildon (Baritone) in his original setting of Robert Jellicoe’s poems from his book “Shorelines: Voices of Southwold Fishermen”. The programme will weave these songs together with music by other Suffolk composers. Tickets for Suffolk’s Songs at £15 may be purchased from www.southwoldartsfestival.co.uk
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Southwold Arts Festival - concerts at St Edmunds Church
This year the Young Musicians’ Showcase (1.00pm –1.45 pm 23rd- 27th June) will feature the talented Zach Knight, giving a saxophone recital, before progressing to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September. Other musicians during the week include pupils from Southwold Primary School (led by Daisy Williamson and accompanied by Nathan Williamson), St Felix School and Norwich School and the welcome return of pianist Alex Booty. Tickets at the door or from www.southwoldartsfestival.co.uk
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Holy Trinity Blythburgh Café and Mini Market - Friday 27 June 10.30 – 12:00.
Come along to browse the stalls and enjoy a mug of fairly traded coffee and a slice of delicious home-made cake.
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Holy Trinity Blythburgh - Saturday 28 June 5pm East Sussex Community Choir.
The choir will present a delightful hour-long concert for a summer late afternoon. The programme will include extracts from Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus, Schubert’s An die Musik, and a medley from Bernstein’s West Side Story, as well as pieces by Osgood, Stopford and Farrant. Entry is FREE.
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Suffolk Singers – 5th July St Edmunds Church 7:30pm
Suffolk Singers will be giving their summer concert in Southwold church on Saturday 5th July at 7.30pm. The theme of their concert is "Love Walked In - a choral celebration of love".Ticket prices are £15 adults and £5 for under 16s. Tickets are available from www.wegottickets.com/event/658150 or from Suffolk Singers Ticket Line on 07843 840876. Tickets will also be available on the door. Doors open from 6.45pm. www.suffolksingers.co.uk
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St. Margaret's Patronal 'Dragon Drive' - 19th July
St Margaret's will be holding its annual Patronal 'Dragon Drive' on Saturday 19th July. Tickets including afternoon tea will remain at £5 and will be available from Jan Collins at the beginning of July. Put the date in your diary!
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‘Keswick at Home’ Monday 21st July – Friday 25th July, Walberswick 11.00am until 1.00pm
The Keswick Convention is an annual event featuring excellent Bible teaching running over 3 weeks in July. This year the theme is ‘transformed’ and we are going to follow the morning teaching during the second week by live stream on YouTube at our home. The preacher is Tim Chester who will be teaching on Colossians.
Please join us for tea and coffee followed by the live stream from Keswick and a time for sharing according to the wishes of the group. No need to commit to the week if you want to do just a day or so.
Please contact us if you would like to attend or would like more information.
Brian & Christine Fisher/Mitchell fishell@btopenworld.com
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South Cove Annual Flower Festival - beginning Friday 25th July 2025
This begins with the popular Preview Evening on Friday, 25th July, from 6.00pm onwards. As well as light refreshments being served and live entertainment to enjoy, there will be a number of beautiful floral arrangements to view. All will be very welcome.
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Live Streaming Services
Services are live streamed from St Margaret's each week. 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.
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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.
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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
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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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