Saturday 10th October 2026

9:30am - 3:30pm

St. John's Church, Colchester CO4 0HP

We're looking forward to welcoming everyone to our second annual Deanery Day

on 10th October. The theme this year is 'Mission' -

and as the Gospel is for everyone, mission is for everyone

and so is our Deanery Day.

There'll be worship, seminars, talks and workshops

covering the widest possible range of topics relevant to all our Church members,

including mission.......

in the workplace

with young people

with those in later life

with those with any disability

in any culture

in urban and rural environments

and much more.

So put the date in your diary, and spread the word in Church.

It's a Day not to be missed!

Download these publicity materials for your Church:

A number of high-profile speakers have already agreed to be with us,

and the list isn't complete! Here's the line-up so far:

Keynote Speaker

Bob Goody

Chief Executive Officer, Rural Missions

Every Christian is called to play a part in God’s mission. In this inspiring and practical session, Bob will explore why mission is not just for church leaders or evangelists, but for all of us, wherever God has placed us. Having come to faith at age 16, the very first time he heard the Gospel clearly explained, Bob has spent every day since involved in Christian mission and ministry. Through stories, encouragement and practical examples, Bob will help us grow in confidence as we help people find and follow Jesus for themselves.

Bob has an MA in Mission, has served local Churches in ministry for 25 years, has worked for Spring Harvest, Soul Survivor and New Wine, and has helped direct missions for Youth For Christ and Scripture Union. Married to Bec and father to Reuben, Bob enjoys socialising - and playing board games.

Everyday Work - Every day Mission

Steve Rouse

Church Team Director, London Institute of Contemporary Christianity

We all work every day - writing essays, changing nappies, serving meals, building walls - much of the time our work is mundane and we might wonder whether any of it really matters to God - but what if he cares about it all, the dog walking and the dishes, the spelling and the spreadsheets.  How can we make a difference for God through who we already are, doing what we already do.  Come and discover that every day matters to God and God cares about our everyday matters.

Steve Rouse is Church Team Director with LICC, teaching Pastor with Balham Baptist Church, with a career in the building trade before that.  He speaks , writes and consults on behalf of LICC, and oversees strategic projects to fuel whole-life disciplemaking across the UK - especially in the local church.

Mission in the Third Age

Alex Huggins

Faith in Later Life is a UK charity inspiring and equipping the local church to reach older people with the gospel, disciple them as followers of Jesus, and mobilise them in God’s mission.

Alex leads the ongoing work and development of Faith in Later Life. She is passionate and experienced in inspiring and equipping people for the opportunities and challenges of later life, and in helping them know Jesus more deeply or for the first time. Alex has three grown up sons, and she lives in the West Country with her husband, Guy, and their Border Terrier, Mary.

Mission in Diversity

Revd Sharon Quilter

Our Churches are, and are working with and among, increasingly diverse communities. That has been the case since the very start of Jesus' ministry, living out the Gospel of welcome to all, and living within communities that may differ from our own heritage. Sharon will guide us as we seek to demonstrate our unity in Christ in all situations. Sharon is the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, shaping the Diocese's approach to ethnic diversity, inclusion and equity, and is also a Priest in the Halstead Area Team Ministry.

Mission on the Estates

Revd Alan Moss

The National Estate Churches Network supports people in active Christian ministry on social housing estates in England and Wales, offering a network of local groups and many resources, with the vision of bring estates ALIVE with Christ accelerating mission, leading transformation, inspiring people, venturing with Churches and empowering them.

Alan is the Diocese of Chelmsford's Estate Youth Missional Lead, with over 25 years' experience of ministry in urban areas - leading youth projects, planting Churches and with a keen interest in innovative approaches to mission in this digital age. His background is in welding and landscape gardening, and enjoys video gaming. He is married to Sarah, has two cocker spaniels and finds time to be a Priest too.

Chaplaincy as Mission

Ven. James Ridge & Revd Dr James Grenfell

Chaplains are Church members equipped & authorised to provide pastoral and spiritual support within their community, and there are chaplains (& pastoral visitors) in hospitals and care homes, the emergency services, commercial organisations, sports clubs and in many other settings. Could you be a Chaplain in the place where you spend your time?

James Ridge is Chaplain General to His Majesty's Prisons and the Probation Service, with an office in Whitehall. He is also Archdeacon of prisons and a Chaplain to His Majesty the King. Married to Ruth and living in Suffolk, James also finds joy in leading services in the Kings Ridge Parishes of our Deanery. James Grenfell is Head of Chaplaincy at East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, having recently joined us from the Barts group. He was Director of the non-residentiary Ordination Course in Portsmouth and is a former Director of USPG. Who better to speak of the missional role of the Chaplain?

Mission in Rural Communities

Bob Goody

Chief Executive Officer, Rural Missions

Rural churches can sometimes feel isolated, stretched or unsure how to engage effectively with their communities. Yet across villages and market towns, there are encouraging stories of churches growing in confidence, building relationships and discovering fresh opportunities for mission.

In this practical and encouraging session, Bob will share ideas and examples from rural churches across the UK, exploring how even smaller churches can connect meaningfully with their communities and help people discover faith in Jesus.

Bob leads Rural Missions and works nationally with churches and Christian organisations to support mission and evangelism in rural areas.

Our Environmental Mission

Kate Clifton

Colchester Deanery Environmental Advocate

How are our church communities responding to the climate and nature crisis, and where do we build bridges that connect with those beyond the church, who may feel as strongly as we do – or stronger? 2026 is likely to be the hottest year on record. If this matters to you, come along to explore our role as Christians working in an increasingly hot and bothered world.

Kate works in and around church communities that are taking up the challenges of our fifth mark of mission: ‘Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the Earth’ She is a Colchester native from Christ Church Ireton Road, which became a gold Eco Church in 2024. Her lifelong curiosity and love for nature has always been part of both her work and her faith. Now through Eco Church she is sharing that motivation and invites you to find out how we can all be more aware and effective in environmental mission.

The Totally Welcoming Church

Tim Wood & Carol Dyer

Chief Executive & Regional Co-ordinator, 'Through The Roof'

'Only 5-10% of disabled people hear the Gospel in their lifetime!' (Lausanne Committee for Evangelisation). Tim and Carol will share a kingdom vision which will reverse this disheartening statistic; and through Scripture, real-life stories and discussion will explore how disabled people can be welcomed and fulfil their potential in Christ. Tim has over 20 years' experience of leading disability projects, nationally and Internationally. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife Lynne and their 6 children. Carol serves as a Regional Roofbreaker Co-ordinator, supporting and developing Churches. She is passionate about inclusion and committed to Church growth. She also belongs to a Samba band!

The Church Outside the Church

Mthr Rachel Summers

Pioneer Minister, St. Peter In The Forest, Walthamstow

Rachel, licensed to Wanstead and Aldersbrook Parishes as well as to St. Peter's-in-the-Forest, has a strong eco-theology and was winner of the Churches Together in England MA Mission Prize in 2024. Her experience, vision and mission is in seeing new and present Christians come together interculturally and from different contexts, and we can learn much from her work leading Forest Church.

Catering on the Day

Sainty Catering Solutions

We have again booked Dale Sainty to provide snacks as we arrive and a hearty buffet lunch. There'll be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and if anyone has a specific allergy or intolerance it's important that we know in advance of the Day, so that Dale can cater for that too.

Slides from selected presentations at Deanery Day 2025

If you have any feedback or advice on last year's Deanery Day,

or recommendations for 2026, please get in touch by emailing us at

mail@cochesterdeanery.org.uk