Finding Faith and Beauty in North Norfolk: The Journey of Revd Ian Dyble
In the windswept landscapes of north Norfolk, where saltmarshes meet big skies and coastal creeks carve through the countryside, Revd Ian Dyble has found both his calling and his creative voice. A multifaceted individual who serves as priest, painter, poet, and photographer, Ian arrived in this picturesque corner of England with his wife Jo as newlyweds in 1986. Though he began his professional life as a solicitor and later a barrister around Cromer, Ian always sensed another path beckoning. For twenty years, he balanced his legal career with church leadership roles, nurturing a growing call to full-time ministry that would eventually reshape his life. This journey led him through ordination, a curacy at the renowned Holy Trinity Brompton (birthplace of the Alpha Course), and a position as Vicar of the Mitre benefice in Norwich, before returning to his beloved north Norfolk where he has served as Rector of the Weybourne Group for the past five years.
The coastal parishes that Ian shepherds have become both his spiritual home and artistic inspiration. Walking along these shores, he experiences God in what he describes as “wind-and-water landscapes and seascapes of creek, saltmarsh, and big skies.” This divine encounter with nature has sparked a wellspring of creativity, resulting in paintings, photographs, and poems recently collected in his book “A Moment Held.” In this work, Ian reflects on how these coastal walks provide a sacred pause in time: “As I walk out along this beautiful coast, in this corner of creation that is home for me, it really does feel like time has slowed down. It gives me the space to breathe and to simply be. And in this moment of grace a Voice speaks.” Through his artistic expressions, Ian captures fleeting moments of beauty and translates them into lasting reflections on faith, creation, and the divine presence found in ordinary landscapes.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Ian’s ministry has fostered remarkable spiritual growth in his parish. August of this year marked a particularly meaningful celebration when 23 people made public declarations of faith at Weybourne beach—affectionately known by locals as “Weybourne Hope.” The scene was extraordinary: 19 individuals were baptized or reaffirmed their baptismal vows in the waters of the North Sea, many being confirmed by the Bishop of Lynn while still standing in the water, with four others confirmed on the shore. Ian speaks of this event with genuine joy: “It was a joyous occasion. New life is springing up across the benefice.” This growth extends to other innovative worship opportunities, including a weekly ‘Celtic’ service at Salthouse that is “growing healthily in that wonderfully light and creative space where God and creativity meet.” The parish buzzes with midweek activities as well—home groups, Bible studies, Alpha courses, and discipleship programs that strengthen the community’s spiritual foundations.
The vitality of Ian’s ministry challenges common assumptions about rural church life. “People tell me that ministry in rural areas is declining and hopeless,” he notes, before firmly countering, “Not in the book that I read or with the God that I believe in.” He brings an infectious optimism to his work, convinced that the Christian message remains deeply relevant to contemporary seekers: “We have the best message in the world, and we live at a time when people are searching and open to engaging with that message if we are clear about what the ‘good news’ actually is and we share it with joy, with passion and with integrity.” This conviction drives his approach to evangelism, which he frames with disarming simplicity: “If you love Jesus and enjoy church—invite your friends.” Drawing inspiration from the Biblical account of Andrew introducing his brother Peter to Jesus, Ian encourages his congregation to extend the same straightforward invitation: “Come and see!”
At the heart of Ian’s ministry lies a profound love for the community he serves. His vision is centered on continued growth in faith and discipleship, through which “communities might know that God loves them and that the church (the people) is for everyone and it’s a good place to be—joyful, loving, welcoming, liberating.” This vision manifests in practical ways throughout the parish’s life, including Sunday services broadcast live on YouTube (@weybourne_group), where people can also access sermon series on topics like “The Sermon on the Mount,” “Encounters with Jesus in Luke,” and “The Acts of Jesus in Acts.” These digital offerings extend the reach of the community beyond geographical boundaries, inviting virtual visitors to experience the warmth and welcome that characterize the Weybourne Group churches.
Ian and Jo Dyble’s story is one of homecoming, creative discovery, and faithful service. Now grandparents, they have come full circle to the coastal landscapes where their shared journey began. Through his artistic works—available on Instagram (@iandyble) and in his book “A Moment Held”—Ian continues to capture and share the beauty of north Norfolk and the spiritual insights it inspires. His ministry demonstrates that rural church communities can thrive with visionary leadership and authentic engagement. As he puts it with characteristic enthusiasm, “I love the church, I love these people and I am confident that when others ‘come and see’ they will too.” In a time when many question the relevance of faith communities, especially in rural settings, Ian Dyble’s experience in north Norfolk offers a compelling counter-narrative of growth, creativity, and spiritual renewal where the beauty of creation meets the beauty of faith.
