Celebrating Pitstop and Parish Pantry at St Edmunds
Saint John the Baptist was built in 1895 and is the highest point in the town, the spire is lit at night.
We are Open to God Open to All. Inclusive Christian church everybody is welcome.
St Edmund’s Church is our mission space which offers Parish Pantry and mid-week communion Thursdays at 10:30 am all welcome plus other services during the week.
‘Peace I give you Peace I leave with you not as the world gives peace’ Jesus Christ
We have beautiful acoustics and we love people to utilise St John’s.
The church space is available to hire for concert use and rehearsals.
Services
Services at St John the Baptist, Orwell Road
B.C.P Holy Communion:
Every Sunday at 8AM for 45 minutes
Parish Eucharist:
Sundays at 10am
Family Communion: 2nd Sundays 10am
Holy Communion:
Every Monday at 7PM (BST only)
Messy Church at St John the Baptist, Orwell Road
Messy Church is a fun family service with craft, creativity, and food
Messy Church is held at St John the Baptist on the 2nd Wednesday of the month 3:45pm-5:45pm
Services at St Edmund’s Langer Road
Holy Communion at Every Thursday at 10.30AM
Who we are
Revd Helen Rengert Vicar
Hi, I am Helen, your Vicar. I enjoy being with and for people. I will walk alongside you and pray for you. I will lead as God encourages me to with fun, creativity and enthusiasm. I am a new monastic companion of the Northumbria Community and I am trained in Capacitar empowerment practices for well-being.
Back on my sabbatical in March 2024 walking along the beach near Amble I had a conversation, actually more of a plea, with God. ‘I want/need (we had a short debate about this) to live by the sea’ a cry for the wild ocean, wide sands, wonder-filled skies. It was a heart and soul sound that was the truth of where I feel most alive in nature; by the sea.
On reflection I realised that all my sabbatical places were near/by the sea. I compared celtic and indigenous theology with water ways/holes symbolised in ancient designs and the importance of storytelling around a fire. Sea scapes large, eternal, spacious. Horizons dreaming of what is beyond, out there, mysterious.
And now over a year later here for the adventure of our parish by the sea with lots of beach, plenty of visitors, where people live and are home. God heard and is faithful and good. So I will be with you, for you and by you as we open ourselves to God and open ourselves to all. You may sometimes find me in the sea, on the sea or on the beach. Blessed beyond words, I hope to be a true blessing here with you. It is going to be fun, adventurous and sacramental. Anyone for breakfast on the beach?
Revd Penny Brinkley
Penny is our Assistant Priest. Chaplain to the Royal British Legion in Felixstowe. She is the Diocesan Chaplain to the Deaf Community and a fluent sign language user, alongside her role as Spiritual Director to St Ed’s & Ips Cursillo.
Revd Jane Pearse
I was ordained in 2009 & have recently been given permission to serve again, this time in the Parish of Felixstowe. I have a passion for helping people deepen their relationship with God & develop their spirituality through home groups, retreats & pilgrimages.
I am a trained spiritual director & appreciate Celtic Christian spirituality. I am a trustee of the Othona community. Under the auspices of the Parish of Felixstowe Catherine, Penny I have set up Lark Rise retreats to run retreat days for local people.
Revd Catherine Bond
Catherine is a PTO for the Parish. She is part of the Growing Deeper programme, running a Bible study group and leading retreat days, as well as preaching and presiding occasionally at church. With Jane, she has set up Lark Rise Retreats under the auspices of the Parish and organises retreat days throughout the year. She loves to create space for people to rest and encounter God.
She has done the Ignatian exercises in daily life and is a trained Ignatian spiritual director, with several directees. She also enjoys Celtic Spirituality and is a member of the community of Aidan and Hilda.
Parish of Felixstowe 