The Vocations and Discipleship Team is concerned with identifying and encouraging the gifts of all and developing new routes to lay and ordained ministry.
They assess candidates for ordained ministry, Licensed lay ministry, pioneer ministry and support Ordinands as they progress, as well as manage and develop the young vocations initiative.
Revd Dr Rebecca Aechtner
Head of Vocations and Discipleship
The Revd Dr Rebecca Aechtner is Head of Vocations and Discipleship for the Diocese of Chelmsford. In this newly established role, Rebecca leads the Vocations and Discipleship Team within the Mission and Ministry Department. The role also incorporates the responsibilities of the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, supporting those discerning a call to licensed lay and ordained ministry.
Rebecca oversees the development and delivery of the Diocese's vocations strategy, supporting people across the Diocese as they explore God's call on their lives. The team's aim is to increase the number of people entering vocational discernment and training for a wide range of ministries.
In this role she also supports the continued development of the Course in Christian Studies (CCS), which for almost 40 years has helped people grow in discipleship and explore their vocation.
To contact Rebecca you can send her an email.
Revd Alexandra Podd
Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands
The role of Assistant DDO (ADDO) is to work with the Head of Vocations and Discipleship to listen to people who are sensing that God may be prompting them to explore a vocation as a priest.
Alexandra is our ADDO and as part of this she has a particular responsibility for those who are underrepresented, particularly those who are young, among our ordinands.
To contact Alexandra you can send her an email.
Canon Caroline Harding
Warden of Readers and Lay Ministry Adviser
Caroline is the teams Lay Ministry Adviser and can be contacted by email or on 01245 294454.
Vocations Advisers
The Bishops have appointed a person in each Deanery who is available to people who would like to talk through their sense of vocation.
Vocation Advisers are not part of any formal selection process but are willing to offer advice.
They are also available to parishes and are willing to preach on vocations or speak at special events.
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Barking Episcopal Area
Barking Area Vocations lead
The Revd Katie Miller
Barking and Dagenham Deanery
Revd Katie Miller
020 8592 2822Havering Deanery
Revd Susannah Brasier
01708 220174Harlow Deanery
Vacancy
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Bradwell Episcopal Area
Bradwell Area Vocations lead
Revd Canon Darren Barlow
01277 220360Brentwood Deanery
Revd Julie Hardy
01277 373486Basildon Deanery
Revd Karen White
07946 563814Chelmsford Deanery
Revd Andy Greaves-Brown (central Chelmsford)
07817 553453Revd Jacqui King (south Chelmsford)
01245 961979Revd Dan Pierce (north Chelmsford)
07790 558579Revd Miranda Seaman (Self Supporting Ministers)
01277 841921Epping Forest & Ongar Deanery
Revd Jane Yeadon
07960 604416Hadleigh Deanery
Revd Carolyn Madanat
07925 941249Maldon & Dengie Deanery
Revd Julie Wilmot
07413 416226Rochford Deanery
Revd Kim Lepley
01702 216725Southend Deanery
Revd Mike Walker
07989 498412Thurrock Deanery
Revd David Rollins
01375 673074
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Colchester Episcopal Area
Colchester Area Vocations lead
The Venerable Kate Peacock
Braintree Deanery
Rev Alex Shannon Tel: 01371 810309
Dunmow and Stansted Deaneries
Catherine Elliot Tel: 01371 829766
Hinckford Deanery
Rev Beverley Vincent Tel: 07944 200132
Saffron Walden Deanery
Pending - to be confirmed
Colchester Deanery
Mrs Phyll Wood Tel: 01206 562343
Harwich Deanery
Revd Laura Garnham Tel: 01255 886210
St Osyth Deanery
Rev Caroline Beckett 01206 308726
Witham Deanery
Pending - to be confirmed
Self-Supporting Ministry Vocations Advisers
Revd Robert Stone or 07726 719288
Revd Phillip Howlett or 01206 510732
Young Vocations Advisers
Please contact the Mustard Seed Team in the first instance or one of the Vocations Advisers from your area.
