9 November 2026
The Church of England Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) has committed to support mission in the Colchester Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Overall, £7 million has been awarded and agreed in principle through the Diocesan Investment Programme to support mission in parishes and worshipping communities serving a large and diverse area of North Essex. This includes an initial award of £2.61 million, subject to conditions, together with a further £0.19 million agreed in principle from 2027 and £4.2 million agreed in principle (AIP) from 2029*.
Reflecting the Diocese of Chelmsford’s commitment to Travelling Well Together, the funding will support Colchester Connects, a missional approach developed collaboratively with clergy, church leaders and volunteers from across the Colchester Area. Rooted in local communities and shaped by a desire to join in with where God is already at work, it seeks to strengthen churches, nurture discipleship and encourage flourishing across cities, towns, villages, coastal communities and rural areas.
Colchester Connects has been designed to support benefices in every deanery over time, building on a culture where churches strengthen one another through shared relationships, learning and mission. At the heart of this is our commitment to placing school-age children, young adults and families at the centre of mission and growth. Shaped by learning from previous investment programmes, Colchester Connects focuses not simply on funding individual projects, but on developing the relationships, leadership and missional readiness that enable churches and communities to flourish over the long term.
Colchester Connects focuses on five priorities:
- Sustaining a life-giving Christian presence in every community
- Building healthy and sustainable structures that release people for mission
- Growing confident disciples who live and share their faith
- Nurturing children and young people to flourish in discipleship
- Raising up a new generation of leaders and missionary disciples
Over the next three years, new projects will take shape across at least 20 benefices in a wide range of settings. A significant part of the investment will support Multi-Parish Benefices, where almost 70% of the Colchester Area's population lives. Support will include administration solutions to free up time for mission, new worshipping communities such as those launched with support from iSingPop, youth ministry, leadership development training and coaching through Leading Your Church into Growth (LyCiG), Launchpad and 3D Coaching. Alongside this, we are looking to collaborate with the Bradwell Episcopal Area and Chelmsford Cathedral on a Choral Project, helping to develop junior church choirs, nurture discipleship and grow outreach in schools.
Learning and experience will then be shared more widely, helping churches across the Colchester Episcopal Area grow in confidence, strengthen their mission and build a sustainable future.
Specific resources will also be dedicated to some of our fastest-growing population centres, supporting churches as they welcome new residents, deepen discipleship and strengthen their presence in local communities.
In Harlow, funding will support the next stage of revitalisation work across the deanery, helping churches listen well to their communities, develop Mission Action Plans and build a shared approach for mission.
In the city of Colchester, St John's will create a learning hub for the wider deanery to explore routes into faith for young adults age 18-35, and pilot an internship scheme building on gatherings such as Emerging Generation: A dialogue with Bishop Roger, and Lifted, a worship and teaching event exploring the role of music in worship. It will also support St John's Church to build on its growing ministry among children, young people and young adults.
The programme will also support mission development across three churches in Black Notley, Great Notley and Rayne on the outskirts of Braintree as they continue to serve their communities together as one benefice. Bringing together different traditions and a shared commitment to mission, the partnership will strengthen discipleship among children and young people, deepen links with schools and community organisations, and develop future leaders and volunteers.
In Witham and the surrounding villages, the funding will build on the strengths of the existing ministry, helping churches create clearer routes for children, young people and families to explore faith and grow as disciples. It will strengthen links with schools through a choral project and establish new worshipping communities in areas of significant housing growth.
Together, these investments will create opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and leadership development across most benefices, strengthening churches and communities throughout the wider Episcopal Area.
Looking ahead to 2029-2032, a further £4.2 million has been agreed in principle* subject to future approvals and the development of detailed plans. This investment will support work in Harlow, Harwich and Clacton, alongside additional multi-parish benefice locations. Building on the foundations established in earlier phases, it will extend the reach and impact of Colchester Connects.
Colchester is the third Episcopal Area in the Diocese of Chelmsford to receive SMMIB investment. Alongside Barking and Bradwell it forms part of a wider commitment to collaborative mission, local renewal and long-term flourishing across the Diocese.
Welcoming the news, the Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Revd Roger Morris, said:
"I am delighted that Colchester Connects has received this investment and deeply grateful to the many clergy, church leaders, volunteers and diocesan colleagues whose prayer, discernment and dedication have helped shape this work. Colchester Connects reflects our desire to see churches across North Essex equipped and encouraged for mission in ways that are rooted in their local context. I am particularly excited by the opportunities it creates to engage children and young adults, while strengthening collaboration and shared learning across the Episcopal Area. Above all, my prayer is that this investment will help churches and communities grow in confidence as they share the transforming love of Christ with people of all ages and backgrounds."
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, said:
“We give thanks for these resources that will help support mission and ministry across the Colchester Episcopal Area. I am grateful to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board, to Bishop Roger and his colleagues, to our diocesan teams, and the many clergy, lay leaders and volunteers whose wisdom, dedication and faith have shaped this work.
"What particularly encourages me is the way this work has emerged through prayer, conversation, and careful listening within local communities, offering an opportunity to learn from one another, deepen relationships and share in a common purpose. My prayer is that it will build on local strengths, inspire confidence, and support churches and communities as they seek to share the love of Christ in ways that are faithful, generous and life-giving.’’
Matt Williamson leader of the Diocese of Chelmsford's Mustard Seed Team and Children, Youth and Families Adviser for the Colchester Episcopal Area explains:
"There is a real hunger among children and young people to explore faith, ask questions and find where they belong. Across the Colchester Area, we're already seeing the impact of programmes such as Launchpad and iSingPOP, which are creating opportunities for young people to encounter Jesus in fresh and meaningful ways. Colchester Connects will help build on that momentum, equipping churches to invest in the next generation and helping more children, young people and families discover that they have a place in God's story."
We look forward to sharing updates as Colchester Connects develops, along with stories and learning from this work and other mission and ministry activity across the Diocese.
*In-principle awards are subject to the Archbishops’ Council’s and Church Commissioners’ decisions about the future availability of Diocesan Investment Programme funding, and the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board’s approval of detailed plans brought from the Diocese for the next phase.