CYO Colchester

26/05/2026

Join us for the Pray For Schools Gathering on 23rd June, 7:30pm at St John's Church Colchester.

More info and Book in at: https://tinyurl.com/PFScolchester26

23/05/2026

"You don't have to be small with your feelings here" Year 4 student

A powerful Prayer Space at St James the Great this week full of positive conversations and moments of encounter.

One student asked if they could borrow a Bible as they felt to read Psalm 91 to a friend. Other students considered who Jesus might be for them. Students prayed for peace, released forgiveness, and spent time "casting their cares on Him who cares for you."

17/05/2026

"A great revision of mentoring, reaffirming and it also challenged me to explore more"
"Applicable, insightful, helped me put new skills into practice"

Two great comments from Sharpen: Mentoring - a training morning for CYO Mission Partners to enhance their mentoring skills and be further equipped as they help children and young people grow in hope, life, and faith.

01/05/2026

Need a boost?

This week we've been rebuilding Our Stories on the website. It's a great place to go for encouraging news and stories from across the work of CYO here in Colchester. Stories of impact to encourage you and give you a boost: God is on the move.

https://www.cyocolchester.org.uk/stories/

More stories coming soon!

29/04/2026

Come and join us for the Pray For Schools Gathering! Uniting together across Colchester praying for God to move in our schools.

Date: 23rd June
Time: 7:30 - 8:45pm
Location: St John’s Church, CO4 0HP

We’d love to have you with us. Book in using the Eventbrite link: https://prayforschoolscolchester26.eventbrite.co.uk

24/04/2026

"Well sir, I think peace is knowing it's going to be OK even if it doesn't look like it" said a Year 8 student, which opened up a fantastic conversation about finding peace.

Before Easter the team from New Growth Ministry, one of our Mission Partners, delivered a fantastic prayer space themed around peace and shalom. Over 200 students explored praying for peace in different spheres of life - inner peace, peace in our communities and schools, peace across the world, and what peace with God could look like.

Prayer Spaces in Schools are hugely impactful and provide a moment to pause, reflect and connect.

08/04/2026

Chaplaincy Matters. We believe every child and young person deserves time to be listened to, space to reflect, and the opportunity to explore faith.

Our chaplains are on the ground in 10 schools across Colchester every week, helping students grow in hope, life, and faith. Whether it’s finding relief through a "Forgiveness Stone" or seeing academic grades improve because their mental wellbeing is supported—chaplaincy changes lives.

Our vision is to see chaplaincy in every school in Colchester.

With your support, we can make that a reality. Click below to find out how you can stand with us:

https://www.cyocolchester.org.uk/support/

05/04/2026

It all hinges on this: the empty tomb; the glorious resurrection of Jesus; the victory and freedom won for all who would choose to believe.

This is why we do what we do. This is why we believe in chaplaincy. This is why we believe every child and young person can grow in hope, life, and faith.

Happy Easter. He Is Risen! And this good news changes everything.

31/03/2026

The environment our children and young people are growing up in is tougher than ever. From mental health hurdles, to low-income struggles, to academic and relational pressures, the need for support has never been greater.

Our chaplains are on the front lines offering support, safe spaces, and opportunities for children and young people to grow in hope, life, and faith.

Help us bring chaplaincy to every school in Colchester!

Pray. Give. Partner
https://www.cyocolchester.org.uk/support/

The Bishop of Colchester, and patron of CYO, speaks to the crisis amongst young people today and sees it as an opportunity for the Church to respond. Support...

27/03/2026

What a fantastic term it’s been, helping children and young people grow in hope, life, and faith through chaplaincy in our schools.

Behind every statistic on this graphic is a child or young person who has engaged with chaplaincy. They’ve been given tools for life, support in times of need, and the space to explore the Christian faith—including, where appropriate, invitations to local church events to find out more.

Thank you for the prayers, support, and generous giving that make this vital ministry possible. And a huge shout-out to our staff, volunteers, and Mission Partner teams serving on the ground.

God is good, and He is truly on the move in Colchester!