The Hive
The Hive, based in the former Great Cressingham Chapel, has spent four years building a community focused on creativity, spirituality, and well-being. Led by four volunteers (the Guiding Group), it has welcomed over 300 people of all faiths and none through seasonal events. Recognizing a deeper spiritual need, The Hive now seeks to establish an intentional Christian community rooted in wild church and Celtic spirituality.
Through outreach, conversations, and online engagement, they have built strong local connections. To sustain and expand this vision, a dedicated paid Pioneer Worker is needed. The community sees this as the next step in God’s plan, providing a space for those exploring faith in an open and inclusive way. A mown labyrinth in the garden symbolizes the journey many have taken here. With prayerful consideration and Circuit support, The Hive is ready to grow into a more structured spiritual presence.
Upwell Methodist Garden Church
Upwell Methodist Garden Church aims to establish a new vibrant Christian community in its 2.5-acre historic gardens which were once monastery land. These gardens, already valued by the community and used by Scouts and Girls Brigade, provide a unique space to connect with God in nature. A pilot project in the Fens Circuit led by The Revd. Simon Goddard and Niccy Warden has successfully engaged the community through events like a garden party and school outreach. They have now appointed The Revd Dave Barker as the lead pioneer and are moving forward.
The vision is to develop a rhythm gatherings, evolving into a full Garden Church. Plans include a Forest School, a practical garden development strategy, and possibly a summer teepee café or even an annual festival. Strong leadership, commitment to team, lots of contributions from the people involved and prayerful guidance have shaped this initiative, with support from local ministers and Fresh Expressions leaders. Support from District Mission Enabler Dr Yasmin Finch and Circuit Superintendent The Revd Lorna Valentine has been key to the work's development.. The Garden Church will nurture relationships between the church, garden, and community, offering a welcoming outdoor spiritual home for all.
Wavestation Surf Church
Wavestation Surf Church is a visionary project aiming to create a Christian community for Mundesley’s surf and beachgoers, fostering connection, worship, and outreach. Inspired by Polzeath’s successful Tubestation, Wavestation seeks to be a beacon of hope where people experience God’s love through hospitality, surf lessons, beach clean-ups, and fresh worship opportunities.
Located near the beach, the spacious, accessible building is a hub for community gatherings. The leadership team, including local Christian surfers, has engaged the community through consultations and prayer, ensuring strong local support. Partnerships have been created with Christian Surfers UK and Glide Surf School. The North Norfolk Circuit and support from Superintendent Rev Colin Telfer as well as Rev Debs Humphries has been key. District Mission Enabler Dr Yasmin Finch has worked with the Circuit to develop a great team in the Wavestation Oversight Committee and the Pioneer Team is working on the ground.
In January 2026, pioneer and church planter Anna Ground took up her role and Wavestation has started to host regular worship, faith exploration, and outreach. The next step will be the appointment of a dedicated surf and youth lead. Wavestation sees its mission to help surfers and beach people connect with God. It is a church in two locations - in the building and on the beach!
Byways
The Stanton Byways NPNP is a church replant into Stanton Methodist Chapel in Suffolk with the vision to transform it into a church, community café and chaplaincy hub serving local residents, especially military families linked to nearby RAF Honington. The café will provide affordable food, Wi-Fi, children’s play facilities, pastoral support, and opportunities for prayer and spiritual reflection.
Led by The Revd Paul Mellor as part of the Thetford, Diss and Mildenhall Circuit’s wider mission initiatives under The Revd David Ely, Circuit Superintendent, the project has run pilot activities such as pop-up cafés, youth sessions, family sessions, and wellbeing workshops to build community engagement and assess local needs. The oversight committee, chaired by Dr Yasmin Finch, District Mission Enabler, is a strong team of dedicated people helping take this opportunity forward.
They have successfully received a grant from military charity the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Apart Not Alone, to help support military families who have serving personnel overseas and are in conversation with Rural Ministries about a potential creative partnership.