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

 

A new feature for the Visitation Service

As Clergy and Churchwardens already know, this year's Visitation Service will be led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, and it's at Kingsland Church in Lexden (above Aldi) CO3 9DW at 7:30pm on Thursday 23rd May. As well as admitting Churchwardens, Bishop Stephen will speak about the Diocesan Church Planting initiative, and it would be good if anyone in the Parishes' ministry teams - or anyone else with an interest - would come along. Car parking will be available at Lexden Springs School, Halstead Road, Colchester CO3 9AB (after 6pm) and the small municipal car park on London Road CO3 4DF. So share a car if you can!

 

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 by Friday 14th June. 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!

 

Christian Aid Week: Would you host Bishop Roger?

The focus of Christian Aid Week 2019, from 12th to 18th May, is maternal health in Sierra Leone, where 10 mothers die in childbirth every day. Christian Aid raises awareness and provides practical help, with health centres, training, finance, education and more. Bishop Roger will be walking in solidarity with mothers who often have to walk several miles to the nearest health facility, and he is looking for Churches to host an event on that day - such as a 'Big Brekkie (see the Christian Aid website), Afternoon Tea, toddler group event - or anything which would raise this topic in the community. There's more information in this document.

 

Bachl Choir in Stanway

St. Albright's Church in Stanway are hosting a performance by the Bachl Choir from Linz, Austria who have offered to come and sing in the Church during their short stay in the UK this spring. 'Easter in Song' will be on Saturday 27th April at 7:30pm and will be a programme of sacred classical music and Austrian folk songs. For more information and to reserve tickets, contact Revd Tony Bushell on 07484 265258 or vicartone@aol.com. This poster will help promote the event in our Churches!

 

'Explore' at Christ Church

Do you work with children aged 0 to 11, in a Church setting? Challenging but satisfying, isn't it? 'Explore' is a course for all involved in children's ministry, to provide the opportunity for learning and renewal. The course is over two sessions - Wednesdays 17th & 24th April, 6:30pm - 10pm or Saturdays 4th & 11th May from 2-5:30pm. Or you can mix and match the dates! It will use a mix of interactive and teaching material. There's no fee, but a donation would be appreciated for materials and coffee. Book by email to explore@colchesterchristchurch.org.uk or call 01206 542307. Here's a poster to encourage people to book in.

 

New Minister at Fordham & Eight Ash Green

The fellowship of Fordham and Eight Ash Green will shortly be welcoming a new Associate Minister - Revd Francis Blight is to be licensed on Thursday 13th June in Fordham Church. Francis is currently Assistant Chaplain at Christ Church, Amsterdam with Heiloo, of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe.

 

Our new Archdeacon

Our new Archdeacon, Revd (to be Venerable) Ruth Patten, who is currently the Priest-in-Charge of the Parishes of Great Dunmow and Barnston will be welcomed at the service of Collation and installation on Sunday 12th May at 3:30pm in the Cathedral. Ruth has always served in the Colchester Episcopal Area, having served her Curacy in Witham before taking up her current role in 2014.

 

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!

 

Confirmations 2019

There are further Confirmation Services in our Deanery in 2019; if you'd like to present Candidates at any of these services, just make contact with the Incumbent:

Sunday 12th May, 10am: St. Luke's Highwoods

Sunday 29th September, 10:15am: St. Michael, Myland (and the North Colchester Family of Churches)

Be a Brick, Buy a Brick!

Colchester Foodbank charity works in partnership with Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea Foodbanks to provide emergency food to local individuals and families in crisis. The biggest cost is operating the warehouse, at about £20,000 a year. That's where the army of volunteers welcomes clients, as well as receiving, sorting, storing and redistributing food. For the same cost of renting, they could pay to buy a building if they could raise enough for a deposit first. So far, people have generously donated £32,804. Donate £10 and they will add your name to the Foodbank's wall of gratitude - and an organisation or generous person could buy a window for £500, or a door for £1,000! Donate through Facebook or Just Giving https://www.justgiving.com/colchester-foodbank or directly by downloading either a one-off donation form or a regular standing order from https://colchester.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money and taking it to your bank. Also see this poster.