23 baptisms and pledges on Weybourne beach

A rural revival at Weybourne Church saw 23 baptisms, confirmations and reaffirmations of faith take place on the beach in a single day back in August.

The rural church in the Norfolk coastal village has been enjoying growth in its numbers, and on 31 August, the baptisms took place on Weybourne beach, known locally as Weybourne Hope. Nineteen of those people were baptised by full immersion in the sea.
 
Revd Ian Dyble has been the Rector of All Saints Church in Weybourne for five years. He moved to the coast during the Covid lockdown and held online services each week. When the church reopened, a congregation had already built up and kept growing.
 
Revd Ian said, “The joy of the baptism was just incredible. It was a highlight of my Christian life, and I’ve been a Christian for 40 years. To baptise nineteen people in the sea, in a little Norfolk village, it was just so special”.
 
The Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen was there on the day and got fully involved, wading into the sea to help baptise people, along with the Associate Vicar Revd Adrian Wolton.
 
Revd Adrian joined the team 16 months ago with a particular focus on Children, Youth and Families. There are now youth in services every Sunday with 25% of the congregation under 18. He said, “If you’re intentional and create a Jesus-centred culture, people will come.  We’re either a loving community or we’re nothing. Most young people are on a team, so they are part of the church. I’d rather a noisy church than a dead church.”
 
For more about the growth at Weybourne Church, including reactions from new church members, visit the Diocese of Norwich website.
 
Visit also  weybournegroup.org

The photos are courtesy of Diocese of Norwich.

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