The Chelmsford Diocese NECN Group had planned a physical conference for 25th March 2020. However, when COVID-19 struck this wasn’t possible. Instead they decided to have an email conference. Written presentations were circulated by email around 40 lay workers and clergy in estate parishes in the Chelmsford Diocese. The overall theme was “Growing the Estate Church”. Questions and answers were also circulated by email.
People responded very well to the email conference with lots of rich sharing and stories of growth on the estates. Prayer, local partnerships and collaboration and reaching out to the community with fun days are some of the ways in which churches have grown sustainably to meet local needs.
Stories have been shared from St Luke’s Church in Canning Town, St Stephen’s in Tye Green and The Pioneer Hub in Colchester. We can also report good news from Through Faith Missions. The Archdeacon of Southend, Ven. Mike Lodge reported on the Estates Evangelism Task Group Conference he attended in January 2020.
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