Deanery of Colchester | Deanery Vision Document

The Deanery Vision

We believe the Lord has a vision for the Deanery of Colchester, for each of our Churches, our Parishes and our ministries. As we seek to be a Transforming Presence in our communities, living out the unchanging Gospel in a changing world, we are guided by the Diocese in planning a structure which will help us to be effective into the future.

Where we are now

The Colchester Deanery Synod approved the Deanery Vision and Strategy Plan at our meeting on 11th February 2020. The Plan covers the period 2020 - 2030, and aligns with Diocesan Vision planning and the 'Transforming Presence' initiative.

During 2020, the Diocese has continued to face significant challenges, and these are outlined in four papers which were discussed at Diocesan Synod in June 2020. They are recommended reading for all our leaders, and can be downloaded by clicking below:

From Subsidy to Sustainability

Towards Financial Resilience

An approach to reducing Stipendiary Numbers

Parish Share Consultation Report, 2021

The Deanery Vision Plan incorporates a structure of four Mission and Ministry Units, two of which have already been commissioned; in due course the MMU Vision documents will form part of the Plan, which is being submitted for noting to the Area Mission and Pastoral Committee.

The Plan can be downloaded using the link below; as can the covering letter from the Deanery Standing & Pastoral Committee, introducing the Plan to Synod members.

The Deanery Vision & Strategy Plan 2020-30 approved by Deanery Synod on 11 February 2020

The covering note from the Deanery Standing & Pastoral Committee commending the Vision to Synod

Background documents

There is considerable additional material available to assist MMUs and Parishes as they envision the future:

View a PowerPoint presentation by our Area Dean to the Clergy Chapter, on the purpose and structure of the Deanery Vision Plan

The Area Dean and Lay Chair's letter to all Parishes, sent to members of Deanery Synod, Churchwardens and PCC Secretaries

Structuring of Mission & Ministry Units (MMU’s): A grid which takes us from the Diocesan criteria to local decisions, to help Parishes work together to form MMUs

	Visit the Diocesan Transforming Presence website
	Download the Church of England's Report on the vital importance of Lay ministry to the Church's mission
	A downloadable Deanery map, colour-coded by proposed structure
	Re-imagining Ministry - Mission & Ministry Units (MMU’s) and Principles of Commitment in a time of strategic change. A letter from Bishop Stephen.
	Visit the Diocese's Parish Spotlights webpages, to view statistics of your (and neighbouring) Parishes, gleaned from the 2011 Census and other sources
	Early results from the 2021 Census, relating to population, ages and religion.
	Our Statistical and Financial Review based on Parishes' Annual Reports and Accounts, 2022
	A document from the Borough of Colchester, with population in 2017 and projections to 2027

In the meantime, if you have queries about the documents or the data, feel free to contact us at mail@colchesterdeanery.org.uk

The Church of England Deanery of Colchester is part of the Colchester Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Chelmsford.

The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance is a registered Charity, no. 249505

We are committed to Safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults. As a Diocese, we have adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England’s website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding. Diocesan guidance is available at https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding