We are delighted that Mark Melluish, Strategic Director for New Wine, will be joining us in Suffolk for an evening celebration and leaders’ breakfast. Mark has been involved with New Wine for over 30 years, has served as Vicar in West London and most recently worked with the Diocese of Hereford where he now lives and worships.
In 2025 we started to look at our strategy for our 3 main buildings (The Church, the Old Vic and the Hall). We have identified the main challenges – accessibility, parking, toilets, poor kitchens, heating, lighting and storage space. While we have maintained the buildings to a reasonable standard, they are now due for a major refresh to ensure they are fit for purpose for the coming decades, and flexible enough to meet our future needs.
Since our last update a couple of months ago, we have had written responses from 4 architects and have interviewed each of them. As a result, we have now appointed MEB Design Ltd to work with us to explore the feasibility of making improvements to the buildings to ensure we are able to fulfil our mission into the middle of this century.
We need to do this properly, so it will take a little time. We will start by gathering more input from the key users of each building and the owners of our mission action plans. It is going to be important that we catch the vision of what’s next, rather than just assuming what we are doing today will continue as it is for the next 20 years. It’s going to be exciting!
Once we have a very clear “Statement of needs” outlining our requirements in more detail, then we can start exploring options for change. We will ensure we consult fully with all the statutory approvals bodies, as well as with our congregation and neighbours. This is probably not going to be until 2027, so please be patient and get involved so you can share your thoughts on what we need to move forward with our mission and vision.
Alan Nunn
Buildings Development Group
10.00am – 4.30pm • £16 • Bring your own lunch
We’re delighted to be hosting Walking Through the Bible—a dynamic, interactive teaching experience designed to bring the big story of Scripture to life.
A lively, interactive day that explores the big picture of the Bible—Old or New Testament—in a clear and memorable way.
As the organisers put it: “An experience that will forever change the way you view your Bible.”
Ideal for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding or fill in the gaps
Sign up here to book your place https://www.bible.org.uk/wtb_event_tickets.php
Our latest financial briefing is now here
Join us this summer at New Wine Festival 2026!
From 28 July – 2 August, we’re returning to the Bath & West Showground for a powerful week of worship, teaching, age-specific programmes, and time together as the wider church family.
The FunZone is back, offering space for families to enjoy time together, connect, and make lasting memories.
Whether you’re coming with your church or joining us for the first time, it’s a chance to be refreshed, inspired, and equipped by the Holy Spirit, and to enjoy meaningful time with others on the same journey.
Book now at festival.new-wine.org
Our Children’s Ministry, St John’s Kids, begins in church each Sunday at 10.30am. Children start in the main service before heading to their own age-appropriate activities, filled with fun, faith, and friendship.
Worship for Everyone
On the first Sunday of each month, we hold Worship for Everyone — a joyful, all-age service where every generation gathers together to worship, learn, and celebrate as one church family.
If you’re unable to join us in person on Sunday morning, we warmly invite you to worship with us online via the St John’s Church Woodbridge YouTube channel Here you’ll find this week’s service as well as previous ones you may have missed, or would simply love to revisit.
Whether near or far, we’re grateful to share this time of worship with you.
Discovering God and sharing the love of Jesus
The Lantern, news of the parish of St Andrew’s Bredfield
