Mission Shaped Ministry Course in Colchester

Colchester Area’s second Mission Shaped Ministry Course (MSM) will launch on Saturday 5th October at St John’s, Colchester. MSM is a one year part-time learning journey in a supportive community. For further information, see www.fxresourcing.org/msm/colchester or this flyer. Or phone the Rev David Beales 07791 684699 / 01206 530934.
 

Lead thefts & thefts from local Churches

We hear that there has been a recent theft from a local Church, both lead from the roof and items from the Church. Please be vigilant,

ensure that items of value are locked away after services and when the church building is unattended. If your church has lead on the roof and there is no alarm installed, perhaps the PCC may consider this to be a necessary acquisition.  Archdeacon Ruth reminds us that she can approve such an installation under List B provisions of the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015.

 

Revd Wendy Pagden to Pioneer in Stanway

It has been announced that Revd Wendy Pagden, Curate in the Parishes of Marks Tey and Aldham, has been appointed Pioneer Minister in the Parish of Stanway. This is a new Strategic Development post, and part of the Church's response to the significant growth in residential housing in the area. The people of St. Albright's are looking forward to her arrival and to the many opportunities that are opening up for ministry in the Parish.

 

New Pioneer Minister in north Colchester

Revd Sarah Hayward, currently Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul's, Braintree, has been appointed Pioneer Minister in the Parish of St. Michael, Myland. Sarah arrives with her husband Tim and their young family to undertake this strategic role to develop new worshipping communities amongst housing on the site of the former Severalls hospital. Sarah will be licensed by the Bishop of Colchester in St. Michael's in a service on the evening of Monday 9th September.

 

Be part of a Massed Choir in Castle Park!

We've already publicised the Carol Singing in Castle Park on Saturday 7th December - and here are more details. Rehearsals will be held this autumn in St. John's Church, Colchester and Kingsland Church on Mondays or Wednesdays, so let's tell all our congregations and make it a massive event! We can register interest now to toyin@kingsland.org.uk or ring Toyin on 07958 490 935, and look out for more information soon.

 

Revd John Chandler to retire

It has been announced that Revd John Chandler, Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Wormingford and Mount Bures with Little Horkesley, is to retire on 20th October. John is also Associate Priest of Myland and the Parishes of the North Colchester Family of Churches. Bishop Roger will be leading a Service of Farewell in St. Peter & St. Paul, Little Horkesley CO6 4DB at 4pm on Sunday 20th October, and all are very welcome to attend.

 

CAP Client Blessing Co-ordinator

This is an exciting opportunity to take up a voluntary role in a hugely successful organisation! CAP is Christians Against Poverty, who in the last 5 years have seen many residents of Colchester become debt-free. Blessing the Clients means providing all the practical things, from food shopping to meter top-ups, acquiring furniture and running events. The Co-ordinator role is to do just that - co-ordinate the work of others, not to do everything! Could it be you? Contact the Centre Manager at paulagoddard@capuk.org 07971 308 388 or read more about it on the Role Description here.

 

Beacon House - one year on

It's a whole year since Beacon House moved to their new premises in Crouch Street, and Administrator Jan Cross is delighted to say that the new facilities have has had a fantastic impact on the marginalised and vulnerable people the Charity serves. Beacon House have produced a short video to showcase the new Centre - it can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/346878452 and downloaded to show on a screen in Church.

 

Youth Newsletter

Dot Salmon, our Colchester Area Youth Adviser, keeps us updated with a Newsletter, so that we're aware of youth events and training for leaders. Click here to be directed to the current issue. But why not sign up to receive the newsletter regularly? In fact, if you click on this link, you can sign up to receive news on any topic of your interest!

 

Colchester Informal Youth Leaders' Network

The Youth Leaders' network is chaired by Bishop Roger and meets once a term for an opportunity to share updates from across the sector. All providers of youth work across Colchester and surrounding areas are invited to join the table. It's a great opportunity to stay up to date with the newest local developments - whilst tucking into some good cake and a cuppa. The next meeting is on Friday 6th September. Email Dot Salmon for more information and to book yourself in.

 

Lexden supporting CAP

From September,  St Leonard’s, Lexden  - with friends from Kingsland - will be supporting the work of the existing Colchester CAP debt centre by offering new free sessions on Wednesday afternoons aimed at giving people the confidence and decision-making skills to live well, look after themselves and feel positive, even on a low income. CAP Life Skills is  a series of relaxed sessions looking at lifting the pressure to spend and great practical tips to help take control of money and make it go further. There are also sections on making good food so we can help families stay healthy on a budget. Towards the end of the course, there are also sessions on helping relationships. Above all, the course will be time to share what works and what doesn’t, both as a group and one-to-one, and support people to make positive changes. The Life Skills course is a much-needed addition to the debt support and job clubs which CAP already runs here in Colchester. The first ’taster’ session will be on Wednesday 11 September at 1pm. Please think about whether you know anyone who would benefit from this course. They can sign up by emailing siansimpkins@caplifeskills.org, or through www.capuk.org or on 0800 328 0006. If you would like to know more about the course, including about opportunities for volunteers, please email siansimpkins@caplifeskills.org.

 

Evensongs in August

Churches together in the south & west of Colchester are celebrating Choral Evensong throughout August and all are warmly invited to join along. The services begin at 6:30pm and are followed by refreshments and a social time together for those who can stay.

August 25th St Albright’s Stanway.  (Church and street parking)

September 1st St Mary’s Wivenhoe. (Public Car Park)

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

  

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.

  

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.

 

A Retreat for your Parish or MMU?

Revd Jackie Sams, part of the Diocesan Spiritual Direction Team and a leader of Individual Guided Retreats at Pleshey, can be available to lead a quiet day or retreat for a Parish, team or MMU. If you would like to explore the opportunity, contact her on 01206530586 or by email at revjackiesams@gmail.com.

 

Sharing equipment

Here's a new kind of 'Parish Share'! One Church in the Deanery recently asked if there's a way of sharing items of equipment, rather than having to hire or buy it. For instance, we know of another Church where there's an easy-to-construct tower which could be loaned out for changing light bulbs etc. What have you got that others could use, and what do you need? We think there's a Biblical principle in this too.... Let us know!