Two into One
When does ‘B&B’ speak of hospitality, warmth and welcome but not of ‘bed and breakfast’?
To solve this riddle, you need to know that one ‘B’ stands for Briston and the other for Briningham, until recently two distinct benefices in the Holt Deanery. Their merger gathered momentum with the arrival of Priest-in-Charge, Trudie Morris. She’s listened intently and acted incisively; she’s opened her home daily for worship and weekly for supper; she’s paired parishes needy in particular ways with parishes who have the resources to help. Everyone has been brought together, existing relationships strengthened, and new ones nurtured.
It’s a human tendency to resist change and stay in safe and familiar spaces but the ten parishes of Briston and Briningham have bucked the trend. By God’s grace, communication and collaboration are creating a new united benefice, a new hospitable space in which all belong, all are welcome. No wonder they’ve decided to call themselves the B&B Benefice!
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The Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023
A hospice can provide a warm and loving space to families in the bleakest of times.
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A warm place for young people
Barnham Broom Youth Café has been running for 18 months by the local church with support from North Breckland Youth for Christ.
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A space for early learning warmed by the sun
More space was needed at St Michael’s CofE Primary in Aylsham so, in a project driven by the Diocese of Norwich, a new nursery has been constructed for Acorn Class.
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Hong Kong families made welcome
Rachel grew up in Hong Kong and has close family there, so when she saw families turning up in Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, last winter, she was able to connect with them with a question from the heart, “Are you new here?”
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Boundless love
It was a momentous week for Garry and Penny as they had just said goodbye to their last (probably 100th!) foster child and were now retiring.
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Café at The Well – an invitation to encounter Christ
A church plant in Ingoldisthorpe, West Norfolk is serving up a warm welcome with barista-produced coffee in a café-setting in the local church hall.
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Solar panel projects as a prophetic voice
Along with many others, our churches are facing a fierce hike in heating bills this winter which focuses our attention on our dependency upon fossil fuels.
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A hug from God
Sarah Russell of St Faith’s, Gaywood, is a weaver. “I wanted to start a creative group at church with a faith-filled intent.
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No place like home
Liam is in his own home this Christmas. For a number of years, he has flitted between the streets of Great Yarmouth and temporary accommodation.
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Follow the star – the Great Invitation
This Christmas will be the first time since the Covid pandemic that we can invite our neighbours and our communities to an in-person gathering where all can hear the Christmas story and be welcomed into the love of Jesus.
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