'Church for All' offering support 24/7 in our communities
Ministers along with our network of volunteers offer to serve their communities, they have a duty and responsibility for the care of everybody. Our ministers offer their pastoral support and often a listening ear, to truly listen to an individual's story, to understand, to empathise. Our vision is to have 'flourishing congregations making a difference' and engaging with everyone in our communities is key to achieve this.
Our church family works tirelessly to help people navigate the issues and stages of life we all face during our life journey, such as weddings, the birth of a child or death of a loved one.
Life Events | Weblink
Our teams support families with prayer and kindness, they celebrate life and society with festivals and events at Easter, Christmas, Harvest and Rememberance and more.
Spiritual development in the Christian faith
Our ministers are trained to support people in our communities with spiritual development in the Christain faith and engage with people to encourage the development of a personal relationship with God and the Bible.
Our faith | Weblink
There is a growing network of dozens of small groups all over Suffolk, meeting in homes, pubs, offices, schools amongst other places. These are new worshipping communities that work alongside more traditional ways of doing church.
Lightwave | Weblink
In every community throughout the county
The role of the Church of England in Suffolk is to support a Christian lifestyle in all of us for the benefit of all. With 443 parishes and 480 churches throughout the county and a Cathedral, our presence is in every community.
We focus on shaping lives and communities, for the good of everyone. Our ministers assist communities through many things including but not limited to:
- providing a donating network into food banks
- fundraising for local causes
- helping in schools
- Chaplains
- raising the profile of local issues.
The collective impact of that presence was never more evident than during the coronavirus outbreak. So many parishes were engaged in meaningful community engagement, within at least 80 towns and villages, often serving and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society. Interventions ranged from providing foodbanks, food parcels, shopping, prescriptions and practical jobs.
If you wish to find a church, the ‘A Church Near You’ website lists every church in the Church of England with maps, contact information, service times and much more.
Find a church | Weblink
Picture: Beccles Parish Link Club went mobile to provide food for those lonely and isolated.
"Throughout Suffolk I have seen first-hand how our Church is at the heart of community life, supporting and nurturing people in rural and urban areas. We are here to help make Suffolk the best place in the UK to live, work and visit; and we are also here to help tackle some of the county’s most serious challenges - which include some of the worst deprivation in the UK, right on our doorstep. Our mission and ministry is never shy to lead by example, and we are truly blessed in our Clergy team, as we are with the wonderful volunteers who give so freely of their time and experience". Mark Pendlington Chair, Board of Trustees.
Our Schools
In addition to churches we also have 87 Church of England schools across Suffolk with 15,000 children receiving a distinctively Christian education. Offering a life-enhancing encounter with the teachings and person of Jesus Christ, an experience that is utterly inclusive and brings love, hope, aspiration and fulfilment to every child. Our Multi-Academy Trust also has 21 primary schools united by a common ethos and determination to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our children.
Schools | Weblink
