Saturday 11th October 2025

at St. John's Church & Centre, St. John's Close, Colchester CO4 0HP

     A day of encouragement with worship & workshops

     for all our congregations and families

See the Deanery Day web page for details of speakers.

Start signing up for Deanery Day!

We handed out posters for Deanery Day at the June meeting of Synod - mail us if you'd like more. Click here for the Deanery Day web page, where there are downloads of posters for printing and displaying on screens; there's also an outline magazine article with the logo and even a QR code to help promote the event. We thought we'd get the ball rolling before the summer holidays - so start drawing up a list of those planning to come along!

CYO Pray for Schools Evening

Join Christian Youth Outreach at a Pray for Schools Evening at St. John's Colchester on Wednesday 25th June at 7:30pm. Schools are at the centre of many of our communities and Parishes. They are incredible places where young people learn life skills, academia, social skills, boundaries, sports, the arts - and discover their interests. But schools are under so much pressure to take on even wider roles in the wellbeing of the young, whilst experiencing restraints of all kinds. Let's gather in St. John's to pray for schools - both staff and students.

Archdeacon's Visitation

We're looking forward to seeing Bishop Roger at the annual Visitation service as he 'deputises' for Archdeacon Ruth! This year's service takes place at St. John's Church Colchester on the evening of Tuesday 1st July. It's a 'three line whip' for Churchwardens and Incumbents, but there'll be space for others to attend in support of our leaders and to hear what is said in the sermon - which is formally called 'The Archdeacon's Charge'.

Summer Concert series at St. James the Great

The Summer Lunchtime Concerts at St. James the Great East Hill have begun, and they have an outstanding programme - see it here. Concerts take place on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 1pm. On 1st July the Ariori Duo perform; 5th August the Althena Ensemble; 2nd September with Dr Emma Gibbins (Master of Music & Organist at Chelmsford Cathedral); and Emmanuel Dauvin on 7th October. Admission is free; a retirement collection helps St. James' music ministry.

Revd Matt Simpkins is to move on

It has been announced that Revd Matt Simpkins, Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Lexden, has been appointed Vicar of the Parish of Clacton St. James with Jaywick St. Christopher. His final service at St. Leonards is to be on Sunday 20th July and his Licensing service will be on Monday 1st September. Please pray for the Lord to bless Matt, Sian and the family as they make preparations for the move - and of course for the people of Lexden, preparing to say farewell and make plans for the future. We are so grateful for all that Matt has achieved with us.

Concerts in St. Botolph's

The Spring Concert season at St. Botolph's Colchester concludes on Saturday 28th July Colchester Choral Society's concert is entitled 'Summer Serenade'. Click on the company's name to find our more and to book tickets.

Take part in the National Churches Survey

The National Churches Trust are running a survey from now to the end of July, and invite every Church to help them fill in lots of missing data from around the country. Register at https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/survey. The purpose is to give a voice to the people who are dedicated to serving the nation's 38,500 Churches. You'll know that they have given grant funding to many of our Parishes, and also fight hard to see our good work acknowledged.

Revd Anthony Bushell to retire

Revd Tony, Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Stanway, has announced that he is to retire, with his final service at St. Albright's to take place on Sunday 10th August. Having been ordained in 1996, he first served in Felsted before becoming Curate in Stanway then after eight years in the Parish of Greenstead with St. Anne's he returned to Stanway in 2014. He and his wife Morag (a Licensed Lay Minister in the Parish) will be greatly missed; we pray that these coming months will be a great blessing to them as they plan their future.

Friends of Essex Churches 'Ride and Stride' date

This annual fund-raising event where proceeds are shared equally between your Church and Friends of Essex Churches Trust takes place on Saturday 13th September. It's when people from all over Essex are sponsored to walk or cycle between Churches & check in with each Church to prove they've been. On the Trust's website at https://www.friendsofessexchurches.org.uk/ride-stride you can let them know that your Church will be open for visitors, and get lots of ideas for making the day a big event to benefit your church & all Churches!

St. James the Great receive grant funding from NCT

The National Churches Trust have announced that the restoration of the southeast windows of the Lady Chapel in the Church of St. James the Great, East Hill is well under way, thanks to a grant from the National Churches Trust. Read the full press release here. The people of St. James' are very grateful to the NCT and to other helpers and grant funders who have made this possible - and that includes the Colchester Churches Charitable Trust. And may this success encourage other Parishes as they endeavour to maintain and develop our Church buildings.

Children's, Families & Youth Newsletter - Trinity Edition

The June issue of our Mustard Seed Team's Newsletter is now out, with lots of information, opportunities and guidance for everyone involved in children's, youth and families work in the Colchester Area. Read here about resources for leadership, courses and more!

Please send us your Annual Reports

You'll have held your APCM by now - and as you know, we need a copy of your Annual Report and Accounts, including the Independent Examiner's Certificate. If you haven't sent yours yet, please ask whoever has it to email it to us at mail@colchesterdeanery.org.uk. We analyse them and send them on to the Diocesan Office, who also need an online return of statistics - see this page of their website. Thank you for all your help with this!

It's easier to get grants from the Colchester Churches Charitable Trust

The trust have just relaxed their application criteria - grants are now possible for up to 50% of the total cost of capital works to our buildings, to a maximum of £10,000 for each Church building or PCC asset (e.g. Church Hall). That should help quite a few Parishes - so if you're planning a capital project or have Quinquennial work to do, surf along to colchtrust.org.uk

SHAPE - an excellent nurture course

Our Area Mission & Ministry Adviser, Phil Ritchie, is looking again at the SHAPE course - that stands for Spiritual gifts; Heart's desire; Abilities; Personality; Experience. If you'd like to consider this as your next nurture course,, all materials can be downloaded for free here; and why not email Phil - he'll be delighted to hear from you.

Friendship Line - A listening ear in Lexden

St. Leonard's, Lexden have recently set up a Friendship Line, and it's not just for their Parishioners. Anyone who feels they need someone with whom they can have a friendly chat, or would like someone to listen to their concerns, will feel more positive after a time of sharing. The Parish will be happy for you to put up this poster on your noticeboard. More information from the Parish Office on 01206 575565 or Revd Maggie Whiteman at maggiew234@gmail.com.

Churchwardens - help is at hand

Are you a Churchwarden, or would you like to be more supportive of your Churchwardens? The Diocesan website has a wealth of information on Churchwardens' duties and responsibilities, training and support material (including YouTube videos) to guide us in this important role. It includes pointers for building works, actions in a Vacancy, being a Trustee, and much more. Surf to www.chelmsford.anglican.org/churchwardens and be encouraged!

PCC Wellbeing Toolkit

The wellbeing of Church leaders and members has been high on the list of the Church of England's priorities since Covid, and a PCC Wellbeing Toolkit was introduced to our Clergy and Lay leaders in a recent seminar. PCCs may find helpful to review it together, and involve the Church membership. It is offered to you to use as you see fit; download it from here.  May it bless you!

Lexden Bereavement Support Group

This Group, a resource available to all Parishes, is run by three Lay members of St. Leonard's, Lexden, all of whom are retired registered nurses with experience and extra training in loss and bereavement. A new course of six fortnightly sessions begins soon for those of any faith or none missing a loved one who died recently or longer ago. For details or to book a place phone Margaret on 01206 547803 or email bereavement@stleonardslexden.org.uk.

To add news items to this page, email us at mail@colchesterdeanery.org.uk