Can you be a Christian without going to church?

Revd Simon Ward and Revd Richard Washington explore faith, belonging and why gathering together matters. Reflecting on St Paul’s picture of the Church as the body of Christ, they share personal experiences of finding support in community — including those Sundays when even the vicar struggles to feel enthusiastic!

They also explore why stepping inside a church can feel daunting, how churches can offer a thoughtful welcome, and why simply being quietly present is a valuable contribution.

Whether you’re a regular churchgoer, returning after time away or just curious, there’s a place for you in this conversation.

Plus, hear about our forthcoming Bible course and opportunities to get involved in parish life.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction: can you be a Christian without church?
01:09 Scripture: one body, many members
05:36 Why church? Community and supporting one another
13:48 When coming to church feels difficult
20:10 Encountering God through worship
24:03 Moving from welcome to belonging
25:59 Exploring faith through the Bible course
29:11 Parish news and upcoming events
31:09 Closing prayer and farewell

A Christian podcast from the Parish of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, part of the Church of England’s Diocese of Norwich. Join us as we explore faith, church community, belonging and everyday life.

Find out more about the Parish of Great Yarmouth:
https://gtyarmouthminster.org

Faith Beyond the Church Walls | Parish of Great Yarmouth Podcast

What does it mean to live out our Christian faith beyond Sunday worship?

In this episode, the Revd Simon Ward, the Revd Richard Washington and the Revd Jessica explore how the Church is called to serve, encourage and build relationships across the whole community.

Beginning with Romans 10:8–15, the conversation considers the Church of England’s parish ministry and our shared calling to make the good news of Jesus known. We hear stories of faith on the streets of Great Yarmouth, worship on the seafront, ecumenical partnerships and the everyday encounters through which God’s love can be made visible.

The team also discusses Faith and Friends, Vox and Renew, alongside the parish’s wider work with children, young people and people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. Finally, they reflect on loneliness, belonging and the message of Christian hope that Great Yarmouth needs to hear: every person is precious in the sight of God.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Scripture: Romans 10:8–15

03:02 The Church beyond its buildings

03:45 What it means to be a Church of England parish

07:02 Representing Christ in everyday life

10:42 Taking faith out into Great Yarmouth

10:47 Worship on the seafront

14:30 VJ Day and civic remembrance

16:13 Gospel on the Beach

18:14 Faith and Friends and Vox

20:36 Renew at the Minster Mission

23:40 Welcoming the wider community

26:28 Showing Christ’s love through everyday encounters

28:17 Loneliness and the need for community

29:02 A message of hope for Great Yarmouth

32:13 Parish events and invitations

35:01 Closing prayer

35:52 Farewell

Find out more about the Parish of Great Yarmouth, our churches, services and community activities at https://gtyarmouthminster.org

The Parish of Great Yarmouth includes Great Yarmouth Minster, St Paul’s Church on Salisbury Road and St Mary’s Church on Southtown Road. We are part of the Church of England in the Diocese of Norwich.

Keywords: Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth Minster, Parish of Great Yarmouth, Diocese of Norwich, Church of England, Norfolk churches, Christian podcast, Anglican podcast, Christianity, Christian faith, Jesus Christ, parish ministry, community outreach, Christian hope, church community, faith in everyday life, Romans 10, Gospel on the Beach, churches in Great Yarmouth, worship in Norfolk.

Reflections on Calling, Saying Goodbye to Liz, and the Journeys that Shape Us

In this episode from the Parish of Great Yarmouth, Team Rector Reverend Simon Ward and Team Vicar Reverend Richard sit down with Curate Reverend Liz for her very last podcast before she heads off to her next ministry calling in Norwich.

The team reflects on the concept of "calling" through the lens of Matthew’s Gospel, sharing what they each left behind to answer God's call—from teaching and international higher education to diocesan work. They also break down the unique roles of deacons and priests in the Church of England and look back on some of the major highlights of Liz’s time in Great Yarmouth, including the spectacular 8-meter-tall Willow Angel Festival and the Festival of the Sea.

Important Dates & Announcements:

• Sunday, August 2nd: Join the parish to say farewell to Liz.

  • 10:30 AM: Farewell Eucharist at the Minster (all are welcome).

  • 6:00 PM: Ecumenical Service on the seafront.

  • 7:00 PM: Farewell party at St. Paul's.

• Sunday, August 23rd: Liz’s installation service as Team Vicar at Christ Church New Catton in Norwich. The parish is organising a bus for those who wish to attend (£10 donation requested). Please get in touch with the parish office to secure a spot.

Absent this week: Reverend Jessica, who is away on a training course in Leeds.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to the Team

00:54 – Reading from Matthew's Gospel: The Calling of the First Disciples

02:08 – Reflecting on What It Means to "Leave Behind the Nets"

03:22 – Liz’s Journey: From Diocesan Work and COVID to Ordination

04:54 – Richard’s Journey: From Higher Education in Warsaw to Ministry

06:33 – Simon’s Journey: From Teaching to 25 Years of Priesthood

07:56 – Understanding the Orders of Ministry: Deacons, Service, and the Liturgy

10:55 – The Distinctive Diaconate and the Liturgical Role of Deacons

13:00 – Moving from Deacon to Priest: Preparing for the First Eucharist

16:04 – Richard's Ordination Story: Covid Restrictions and Huge Celebrations

17:41 – Reflecting on Liz's Highlights: The Spectacular 8-Meter Willow Angel Festival

21:28 – The Festival of the Sea and Making Lasting Parish Memories

22:20 – The Realities of Ministry: Facing Personal Grief and Family Loss While Serving Others

25:12 – How Music and Hymns Connect Us to Our Memories

26:15 – Farewell Notices for Liz: August 2nd Services and Celebration Party

27:14 – Details for Liz’s Installation in Norwich and Booking the Parish Bus

28:43 – Closing Prayer and Wrap-Up

Where are you headed — and why? In this episode of the Parish of Great Yarmouth podcast, Fr Simon is joined by Revd Liz, Revd Richard and Revd Jassica to explore the ancient practice of pilgrimage — what it is, why it nearly disappeared, and why it's experiencing a remarkable revival today.

Together they reflect on Psalm 121 and what it means to journey towards something sacred — whether that's hundreds of miles across Portugal and Spain, a weekend away at the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, or simply stepping into a church you've never visited before. Fr Simon shares stories from his Camino walk along the Portuguese route to Santiago de Compostela. Revd Liz tells the story of the Saint Olav pilgrimage route she's been helping to establish — linking Great Yarmouth Minster to Saint Olav's Priory, and all the way to Trondheim in Norway. And the team reflects on what it means to find a "thin place" — somewhere the gap between heaven and earth feels just a little closer.

The Parish of Great Yarmouth is a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Norwich, made up of three churches: Great Yarmouth Minster, St Paul's and St Mary's. Whether you're an Anglican worshipper, exploring faith for the first time, or simply curious about the life of a parish, you're welcome here.

Plus, what's coming up in the parish:

• Echos of the Minster — free lunchtime recitals every Wednesday through June, July, August and September, 12:30pm at Great Yarmouth Minster
• The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace — Karl Jenkins's choral masterpiece performed by the Pakefield Singers and the Orchestra of the Academy of St Nicholas, Saturday 11th July at 7pm

Chapters:

(00:17) Welcome & introductions

(01:38) Scripture: Psalm 121
(02:47) What is pilgrimage?
(04:07) The Saint Olav Way: Great Yarmouth to Saint Olav's Priory
(06:18) Ancient paths beneath our feet
(07:55) Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages
(09:01) The Reformation and the loss of the pilgrim routes
(09:30) The modern revival: the Camino de Santiago
(11:31) Fr Simon's Camino walk
(14:37) The parish trip to Walsingham
(15:52) The history of Walsingham
(17:51) What you'll find at Walsingham today
(19:44) New pilgrim routes in Norfolk
(22:44) Pilgrimage for everyone: finding your thin place
(24:15) Parish notices: Echos of the Minster & The Armed Man
(27:03) Closing prayer: St Teresa of Ávila

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do share this episode with a friend.

Tags: Church of England, Anglican, Diocese of Norwich, Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, Christian podcast, pilgrimage, Camino de Santiago, Walsingham, Saint Olav, holy places, thin places, Psalm 121, prayer, parish life, faith, walking, Norfolk churches

What happens when you're told to wait? In this episode of the Parish of Great Yarmouth podcast, Fr Simon is joined by Revd Liz, Revd Richard and Revd Jassica to explore the strange, expectant time between Ascension and Pentecost — when the disciples retreated to an upper room, devoted themselves to prayer, and waited for the gift Jesus had promised.

Together they reflect on Acts 1:6–14 and the transformation the Holy Spirit brought to a small, fearful group of followers who would go on to change the world. They share memories of a beautiful Ascension service at St Mary's — sunlight through the west window, incense rising, and worship spilling out onto the street — and talk about why public witness matters on the streets of Great Yarmouth today.

The Parish of Great Yarmouth is a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Norwich, made up of three churches: Great Yarmouth Minster, St Paul's and St Mary's. Whether you're an Anglican worshipper, exploring faith for the first time, or simply curious about the rhythm of the church year, you're welcome here.

Plus, what's coming up in the parish:

• Pentecost — joint parish service at the Minster, Sunday 24th May at 10.30am, with prayer for the Holy Spirit and anointing with oil
• Out There Arts Festival flash mob — the Orchestra and Choir of the Academy of St Nicholas perform Peter and the Wolf outside the Drill House, Saturday 30th May at 4pm
• Camino reflections — Fr Simon shares stories from his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Tuesday 9th June at 2.30pm in the Minster
• Alpha celebration — Saturday 13th June, Minster Vestry

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome & introductions

(01:05) Scripture: Acts 1:6–14

(03:04) Waiting in the upper room

(06:23) The Ascension service at St Mary's

(08:52) Public witness on the streets

(10:56) What Pentecost means for us

(13:19) From fear to fire: the disciples transformed

(16:53) Pentecost Sunday at the Minster

(20:07) Alpha Course reflections

(21:47) Fr Simon's Camino pilgrimage

(24:54) Out There Arts Festival flash mob

(26:22) Closing prayer

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do share this episode with a friend.

Tags: Church of England, Anglican, Diocese of Norwich, Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, Christian podcast, Pentecost, Holy Spirit, Ascension, Acts of the Apostles, Alpha Course, Camino de Santiago, pilgrimage, faith, prayer, parish life

Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?

Fr Simon is joined by Revd Liz, Revd Richard, and Revd Jassica for a wide-ranging conversation full of warmth, wonder, and reflection. They open with the Road to Emmaus — that beautiful Easter story of a journey, a stranger, and the moment of recognition — and it becomes the thread that weaves the whole episode together.

The team look back over Lent and Holy Week: from the Alpha Course and its remarkable conversations, to Maundy Thursday's stripped altar, a rather unexpected disco next door, an Easter sunrise on a windswept seafront, the joy of baptism and confirmation at the Easter Vigil, and bells ringing out through the Minster on Easter morning.

They also reflect on what the season has meant personally — journeys of faith, of prayer, of coastal walking, and of learning, once again, to rely on God.

As the long Easter season stretches out towards Pentecost, this episode is a reminder that Christ walks with us on every road — even when we don't yet recognise him.

Find out more about the Parish of Great Yarmouth at gtyarmouthminster.org, where you can also subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Chapters:

(00:17) Welcome and Introduction

(00:39) Scripture: The Road to Emmaus — Luke 24:13–32

(02:02) Stepping into Easter

(03:35) The Alpha Course: Stories from the Journey

(06:25) Revd Liz's Lent: Fasting, Prayer, and Celery

(10:41) Into Holy Week

(11:09) Easter Eve Vigil and Confirmation

(13:00) Easter Morning: Sunrise, Baptisms, and Bacon Butties

(15:30) Maundy Thursday: The Altar Stripped and the Disco Next Door

(18:30) The Big Picture: Palm Sunday to Easter Day

(19:46) Bells, Tambourines, and Alleluias at the Minster

(21:08) Digging Up the Alleluias and the Easter Egg Hunt

(21:56) The Long Easter Season Ahead

(22:27) Walking the England Coast Path: Encountering God on the Road

(24:48) Peace, Hope, and Relying on God

(27:34) Closing Reflections

(28:08) Closing Prayer and Sign-off

In this episode, Simon is joined by Revd Liz Dawes, Revd Richard, and Revd Jassica to reflect on the season of Lent and the powerful Ash Wednesday service held at Great Yarmouth Minster.

Opening with words from the prophet Joel — "Return to me with all your heart... for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Joel 2:12-13) — the team explore what it really means to enter this season of reflection. Far from doom and gloom, they discuss how Lent is ultimately a journey of hope: from dust to resurrection, from death to new life.

Revd Liz shares a moving and personal reflection on grief, loss, and the striking symbolism of marking people's foreheads with ash. Revd Richard and the team also open up about their own Lenten practices — from whole food diets and dry Lent, to giving up social media, letting go of anger, and even attempting to read the entire Bible in 40 days!

You'll also hear about a very special activity with the Faith & Friends children's group, where they "buried" a very important word in the churchyard — one they won't be able to say again until Easter Sunday.

Whether you're new to Lent or a seasoned observer, this conversation is warm, honest, and full of practical wisdom for the journey ahead. The episode closes with the beautiful Ash Wednesday Collect — a timely reminder that it's never too late to join in.

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome & Introduction

(01:01) Opening Scripture: Joel 2:12-13

(01:28) Abounding in Steadfast Love

(03:22) Reflecting on the Ash Wednesday Service

(04:28) The Meaning of Ash Wednesday

(05:26) Marking People with Ash

(06:37) Revd Liz on Grief and Loss

(07:56) Lent as a Journey of Hope

(08:45) From Baptism to Anointing the Dying

(09:37) Eternal Life and Joy Now

(10:51) Seeds, New Life, and Rising Again

(12:49) Lenten Practices: Giving Up or Taking On?

(13:14) Whole Food Diets and Fasting

(14:29) Giving Up the News and Social Media

(15:18) Letting Go of Anger and Dark Emotions

(17:07) Dry Lent and the Six Nations Struggle

(17:57) Father Philips Advice: Do Something Positive

(19:19) Reading the Whole Bible in 40 Days

(21:20) Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving

(22:56) Faith and Friends: Burying the A Word

(26:03) Closing Prayer: The Ash Wednesday Collect

(27:23) Goodbye and See You Next Time

In this very first episode of the Parish of Great Yarmouth podcast, Rector Revd Simon Ward is joined by his colleagues Revd Liz Dawes, Revd Richard Washington, and Revd Jassica Castillo-Burley as they gather around the microphone to reflect on beginnings.

Rooted in the opening words of John’s Gospel — “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1, NRSV) — the conversation explores how faith, place, and calling begin in different ways. Each member of the clergy team shares their own story of how they first encountered Great Yarmouth: from lifelong local connections, to childhood holidays, to unexpected new starts drawn together by God’s prompting.

Along the way, they reflect on the history of Great Yarmouth and its parish churches — Great Yarmouth Minster, St Paul’s, and St Mary’s — the communities they serve, and the quiet, everyday moments where faith is lived out: prayer, welcome, conversation, tea, worship, and care for one another.

This episode sets the tone for the podcast: gentle, honest, rooted in scripture, and open to anyone who is curious about faith, church, or simply looking for a place to begin.

Whether you’re local, visiting, returning to church, or exploring faith for the first time, you are very welcome here.