Chadbrook

Who are we?

Chadbrook Benefice consists of the villages of  Long Melford, Alpheton, Shimpling and Lawshall in South Suffolk.

Jesus spent much of his time ministering while wandering around the villages in Galilee, or receiving hospitality from unexpected people - as well as some time in the synagogue and temple.  We are seeking to follow his pattern. 

We are seeking to find where God is already at work today - in our villages and homes, fields and work-places and share social spaces such as schools and pubs.  We expect that as we journey out together we will change and grow - new life will appear, our hearts will be warmed and we will find new ways of being church together. Lightwave helps us to create a "mixed ecology" of ways of being church to be able to share God's love with those for whom existing expressions of church were less accessible. We have three Lightwave initiatives so far…the 4 o’clock Community, Men's Breakfast and Connect Toddler Group

.Our new and established forms of church are closely connected to each other, as we are one family.  We keep this connection strong through our monthly family service, celebrating festivals together and the oversight of our Rector and PCCs.  Find out more  at www.longmelfordchurch.com

4 o'clock Community

The 4 o’clock community grew out of being invited to start Messy Church at a local school.  We wanted to create spaces for community to grow.  We started with a fire pit, sausage and fireworks evening and continue to meet regularly for socials including a very slow pub crawl.  Wherever we meet , we make sure that there is space to get to know each other, and usually food to share. 

We meet weekly at (usually!) 4pm on Sunday afternoons for different activities, for example:-

• Messy Church -Telling Stories with children's crafts and games, song and story-time and then sit down for a big family meal together.  Various venues including Melford School
• Cafe Church - Food for thought as well as for bodies - informal gathering with a chance to think about and discuss questions around tables over delicious food and coffee.
• Wild Church - All ages spending time together in nature - woodlands, nature reserves or on a farm.  We explore, play, reflect and often gather round a campfire too.
• Shine Informal Worship - a place to go deeper with God with a contemporary worship band, talk and prayer ministry.

All our activities are family-friendly.

If you’d like to find out more or join our Whats App Group, please contact Nicky chadbrooklightwave@gmail.com

Connect Toddler Group

Connect is our toddler group for babies, toddlers, parents & carers. It is held at St Catherine's Church in Long Melford (CO10 9JU) on Mondays during term time, 9.30 -11am. We offer a warm welcome, a listening ear and the chance to meet up and chat with friends, old and new,  over a hot drink and biscuits while your little ones play. There are toys, a weekly craft, story and song time.  We consider ourselves a family.

We are encouraging times of prayer before, after or (when need arises) during our session, and we sign-post family friendly Church and social events. 

To find out more about Connect, contact Pam: melfordfamilyworker@gmail.com ​​​​​​​

You can see what Connect are doing on their Facebook Page HERE

We look forward to connecting with you soon.