4 November 2024
Matt Williamson has been appointed as the new Children's, Families' and Youth Advisor for the Colchester Area in the Chelmsford Diocese Mustard Seed Team.
Matt has previously served as the Youth and Children's Leader at St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden where he led various groups and clubs for pre school age children all the way up to university students. He also worked with local primary and secondary schools, leading assemblies and lunch clubs and supporting students through mentoring.
Commenting on Matt's appointment, the Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Rev Roger Morris said:
"I have had the joy of working with Matt on a number of projects from Parish based youth work to Growing Young Leaders. Matt is a natural youth worker: 100% authentic, good sense of humour, humble and holy. He also has a good eye for the strategic and missional, and has already slotted into the brilliant Mustard Seed Team and got to work. I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with Matt and having him as a key member of the Colchester Area Team."
Chelmsford Diocese Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education, the Rev Canon Rob Merchant said:
"I am delighted Matt Williamson has joined our Diocesan Mustard Seed Team, with a particular focus serving the Colchester Episcopal Area. Serving our parishes and worshipping communities as they work with children, young people, and families, the Mustard Seed Team brings together our team of advisers to be an encouragement to one another and better serve our whole diocese and episcopal areas. It has been great to welcome Matt into the wider team."
Matt Williamson said:
"I am looking forward to connecting with both paid and volunteer youth and children workers in the Colchester Episcopal Area, as I'm passionate about championing their work and providing support and resources to help them thrive in their role. I will also be working on projects across the Diocese, including a new Youthscape initiative called Launchpad where I will be training clergy initially in the Colchester area, who want their church to start working with young people but are unsure what this looks like or how to do this. Here I will be walking with them in looking at the needs of their area, working together to come up with a strategy for the youth work, and helping them resource this work, being a support as they embark on this new and exciting journey."