Growing Young Leaders

Dot Salmon, our Area Youth Adviser, is planning another Young Leaders Course, to take place in the Colchester Episcopal Area. The key dates are: Saturday 28th September for a Training Day; a residential from 22nd - 24th November and a Training and Commissioning Day on 29th February next year. This is a programme offering people aged 13-18 an opportunity to spend 6 months serving in leadership in their local Church/community whilst connecting with other people on the programme to discover more about leadership and explore their vocation. For lots more information and how to apply, surf to https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/youth/young-leaders. Now let's identify those potential leaders in our congregations!

 

Stour Valley Singers in Wormingford

St. Andrew's Parish Church in Wormingford, Church Road CO6 3AZ, are hosting a concert by Stour Valley Singers on Saturday 6th July at 7:30pm. Tickets are £10 which includes refreshments, and are available on the door or from 01787 227331.

 

Hymns and Pimms

There'll be hymns old and new in this light-hearted evening at St. Michael's Church, Myland on Saturday 13th July at 7pm. Come along and sing hymns from the Church's heritage of centuries past, some much more recent - and perhaps one or two not even written yet! No ticket needed, but a donation on entry would be appreciated.

 

Job opportunity with Korban

Colchester Korban Project has been providing supported housing for 16-25 year olds for over a decade, establishing itself as a caring, passionate Christian charity that helps young people feel like they have a home again.  The Project needs a part-time voluntary administrative assistant to join the small but dedicated team to help meet the needs of residents and support the busy office and staff. Please email Mark Wood - mark@korban.org.uk or call on 01206 869533 to discuss further and apply. Read more about the Project at www.korban.org.uk 

 

 

Let There Be Light - at St. Stephen's

Wing and A Prayer Youth Theatre Company from Great Baddow will be reprising their production 'Let There Be Light' in St. Stephen's Church, Canterbury Road, Colchester CO2 7RY on the evening of Tuesday 3rd September at 7pm. Everywhere they go, the company receive great reviews for this musical - so if you haven't caught it yet, book through St. Stephen's.

 

Vacancy for Administrator

St. Stephen's Church, Colchester are seeking an experienced Administrator on a part-time, flexible basis. Surf to http://ststephens-colchester.org.uk/current-vacancies/ where you can read and download the Job Description, Person Specification and an Application Form. The closing date for applications is Friday 28th June.

 

Developing Connected Communities – a Conference for Faith and Community Groups

That's the title of a conference being held at the Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford on Tuesday 2nd July from 9:30am to 3pm. As this programme shows, the conference will include mental health first aid training, guidance on reducing social isolation and loneliness and support for Carers in Essex. Vivienne Wiggins (Chair of the Faith Conference and Centre Manager of Beacon House, Colchester) will close the conference. The day is free; register to attend on 'Eventbrite' by clicking here.

 

Colchester's growing population

The Borough of Colchester continues to be the fastest growing Borough in the east of England, and the population has now reached 190,000. A new document showing further forecast population growth has been added to our website's vision page, to assist us in our planning. The statistics do not drill down below Borough level so we cannot know Deanery or Parish figures - but as we know that most of the growth is within the Deanery, we can expect the Deanery population to be in the region of 145,000 - an increase of 19,000 since the 2011 Census.

 

Revd Andrew Fordyce to move on

It has been announced that Revd Andrew Fordyce, Vicar of St. Margaret's, Berechurch, has been appointed Rector of the Tenpenny Villages Benefice - the Parishes of Alresford St. Andrew, Frating with Thorrington St Mary Magdalen and Elmstead St. Anne with St. Lawrence. Andrew has served in Berechurch since 2007 and is highly valued and respected throughout our Deanery. We congratulate him, thank and bless him for all he is to us, and pray that the Lord will be with him, the family and his new Parishes.

 

Course in Christian Studies

This important and interesting course has seen thousands of Christians extend and deepen their faith over its lifetime of over 30 years. A new course starts in September - and there's a 'Taster Evening' on Thursday 4th July in St. John's Church, Colchester for anyone who would like to learn more about learning more! Just turn up for 7:30pm on the night. There's lots more information on the Diocesan Website's CCS page.

 

Fr Nicholas is to retire

It has been announced that fr Nicholas Davis, Vicar of Shrub End, All Saints & St. Cedd, is to retire this summer, with his final service to take place in All Saints, Shrub End on Sunday 14th July. Fr Nicholas has been Incumbent of the Parish for fifteen years since 2004, having previously served in Southwark Diocese. He has become a firm friend to many in the Deanery as well as the Parish, and we pray that the Lord richly blesses his remaining time with us and his retirement.

 

Revd John Parker to move on

Revd John Parker, Rector Fordham and Eight Ash Green, has announced that he will be leaving the Parish with effect from 1st August. He plans to continue his Priestly ministry, though he is leaving the Church of England. Some may know that he has wrestled for some time with matters of the Church of England's theological position, and he has taken the decision with every integrity and after considerable prayer. He thanks all those in the Parishes, Deanery and beyond who have journeyed with him in his seven years with us, and we pray that with the Lord's help John will continue to be a strong force for the Gospel.

 

New Wine Discipleship Year 2019

Bookings are now open for the New Wine Discipleship Year; a new group of 18-24 year old Christians will begin studying in September based at St. John's Church, Colchester. There's an online video which sets the scene - why not view it and download it from here to show in Church?  The purpose is to equip, encourage and empower a young person to build solid foundations as a follower of Jesus, then go on to make disciples. There's lots more information on this leaflet, and you can also speak with Maria Read the New Wine Discipleship Year Hub Coordinator - contact her at maria.read@stjohnscolchester.org.uk

 

Safeguarding Training in our Deanery

There is to be face-to-face 'C2' Safeguarding training in our Deanery this autumn - and remember that this is mandatory for those who have safeguarding leadership responsibilities or responsibility for leading activities involving under 18 year olds and/or adults who may be vulnerable due to age, illness or disability. It's taking place in St. John's Church Colchester on Saturday 12th October from 9:30am to 1pm. Yes, it's some time away - but why not book in right now, as the time (and the places) will soon go! We recommend that Churches display this poster, which also tells our members and the public that we take safeguarding seriously.

 

The new Deanery Vision Plan

The Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committee have published a draft Deanery Vision Plan for the decade 2020-2030, which has been sent to all members of Deanery Synod and PCC Secretaries, for review on PCC and response. The Plan, and the covering letter from the Area Dean and Lay Chair, can be viewed and downloaded from the Vision tab of our website.

 

Online grooming: A note from Essex Police

Essex Police are pointing people to a short film: 'Breck’s Last Game' (15) about 14-year-old Breck Bednar who was murdered in Grays by a man he met on a gaming site. The film was made to raise awareness of online grooming and carries an important message – do you really know who your online friends are? The film is being rolled out into schools across Essex with screenings taking place as part of a comprehensive lesson plan designed to raise awareness of online grooming and exploitation. The film has been made with the support of Breck’s mother Lorin LaFave and The Breck Foundation. For more information about how to spot the signs of online grooming and what to do if you’re concerned about a child you know, visit our website:https://www.essex.police.uk/adv…/child-sexual-exploitation/… Our thanks to Revd Julia Murphy for passing this on.

 

Lead thefts on the rise again

Essex Police have alerted us to a resurgence of lead thefts in the Colchester area. It has spread west to east across north Essex, with two incidents reported on residential properties in Mile End. Please encourage all members and local residents to be vigilant!

 

Advance notice - Carol Singing!!

Great news, so mark your diary - it is planned that the Churches in Colchester will be singing carols in Castle Park on Saturday 7th December, to bless the town and get Christmas moving! More details to come.

 

Deanery Youth News

The Spring Newsletter from  Beks Korniej, our Deanery Youth Champion, is available on the Youth section of the Deanery website, and can be downloaded from here. There's always so much going on, so do make sure our young people and their leaders are part of it all!

 

Confirmation at Michaelmas

There will be a Confirmation Service on Sunday 29th September at 10:15am in St. Michael, Myland; if you would  like to present Candidates from your Parish at the service, just make contact with Revd Ray Gibbs.