7 January 2026
ASDA and the Deanery of Colchester were celebrating in October, as The Revd John Chandler marked 20 years as Chaplain at the Colchester store.
ASDA Supermarket has been welcoming Chaplains in its stores for over 30 years, providing independent and confidential support for staff. John took on the chaplaincy role in 2005 as part of his ministry in the Parish of St. Michael’s Church in Myland, Colchester.
John says:
“I’m just one of several voluntary workplace Chaplains across the Diocese of Chelmsford, trying to do just what Jesus did – extending the Good News into the community.
“Staff understand why I’m there on my weekly visits, but customers often ask me why ASDA has Chaplains. I tell them - if you count the number of colleagues, we’re the size of a village; add customers, and we’re the size of a town. Of course we need our own Vicar!
“Over the years I’ve conducted marriages, Christenings and sadly funerals for those I’ve got to know and have lovely discussions every week. I work alongside the store’s Community Champion, whose job is to help ASDA make a positive difference in society. It’s all an immense privilege."
The Right Revd Roger Morris, the Bishop of Colchester, visited the Colchester ASDA store to celebrate John’s two decades of service.
Bishop Roger commented:
“Few national store chains have a culture of Chaplains as ASDA does. It’s great to see the Church at work in the community in this way, whether sharing in life’s joys and challenges with colleagues and customers or just being available for a chat. I’m grateful to ASDA for welcoming us, and I know the store are pleased to have John on hand.”
John, a retired priest with Permission To Officiate who assists in a number of Parishes across the Colchester Deanery, is keen to see Chaplaincy thrive in every Parish.
John explains his passion for chaplaincy:
“I’m also a football Chaplain, accredited with Sports Chaplaincy UK & Ireland. We’re represented in almost every sport, and we’re recruiting at the moment. Chaplaincy is in my heart; lots of our Church members could be Chaplains in their leisure activity or workplace, and I’d encourage everyone to pray about their own ministry in the neighbourhood.”
This article is taken from the latest edition of We Pray, our quarterly prayer diary.