The Wilford peninsula in East Suffolk is a wild and beautiful place, bounded by the North Sea and the River Deben. Kathy Wilson moved to the tiny village of Shottisham two and a half years ago, bringing the retreat centre The Place by the Water with her, from its original home in nearby Kirton. She and her team had prayer walked around the entire peninsula, seeking God’s will on where to plant. With eighteen churches in the benefice and only three vicars to cover the entire area, they felt that there was a real need to identify the place God wanted them next.
“With the best will in the world, three people will struggle to meet the needs of all the people who go to eighteen churches scattered across a large area of land. Our work at the original Farm by the Water in Kirton showed us that many people in rural communities suffer from loneliness and isolation. With pubs shutting down and bus routes being cut, there is less to do and more difficulty in getting around. We started off ten years ago getting to know our community, doing crafts and baking together, going for walks, laughing together and sharing the ups and downs of life. After a while, once we were part of the village, we began to run retreats where people could take time out and meet with God. Our work was missional and community based, making people feel comfortable and welcome.”
When the owner of the farmhouse which hosted The Farm by the Water asked for it back, Kathy and the team entered into a discernment process with the Diocese of Suffolk, and the Lightwave CIO (Bishops’ Mission Order within Suffolk).
“We prayer walked all over the Wilford peninsula and prayed in many of the eighteen churches. When we got to Shottisham, we felt that that was the place God wanted us. The diocese rented the rectory to us and the minute we walked in, we realised that all our prayers had been answered. The décor was perfect, we were gifted furniture which was exactly right for the rooms and there was plenty of parking. We were ready to transform it into a safe space for people to get to know God. I’ve recently been ordained so I take the services in the parish church and we have just had the first baptism there for years. God is really at work.”
There is little for young people to do on the peninsula and the team’s community activities are starting to attract them from other villages and as far afield as Woodbridge. Kathy and the team prayed for more families to come to Shottisham and within six months, four moved in.
“We’ve noticed the village WhatsApp group becoming much chattier and more open. People stop when they’re dog walking or on the way back from the school run to chat to us. We run a Bark and Brunch community café and lots of walkers drop by the rectory, eat and with us then carry on with their walk. You can’t just steam into a community and try to be everyone’s friend overnight. It takes a lot of prayer and patience.”
Suffolk rural society is traditional and it takes time for newcomers to bed in and make friends. The team at the Place by the Water now run regular Sunday suppers and are known and trusted in the village. Kathy has invested time and love in the little church and that too is bearing fruit.
“It’s difficult to choose a favourite moment over the last two and a half years, but one thing that shines through and shows that God is working in this community is the story of a lady who came and did the Identity Course with us. She had got involved with some fairly dark stuff, but she has been released from all that and her whole physical appearance has changed. She now realises that she is loved and has an identity in the Kingdom. We will continue to pray for the village and the area and keep modelling God’s love through service and friendship.”
Rural ministry can be tough, but Kathy loves the fact that she can pray and share with her colleagues within The Lightwave Community and RM, come alongside people with the same heart for missional community and reach out to others who know what it is to build the Kingdom through relationship.
“The chance to work with RM has been a godsend for this time. The day-to-day work can be hard and wear you down, but they are such a wonderful support. It’s such a blessing to know that we all have a united heart to continue building up God’s Kingdom, by the water and away from it.”
First published in MOSAIC Issue 15, January - April 2025
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