CRCW - Maria JY Lee
The Chelmsford project supports and develops local community by working alongside and in partnership with local organisations. Maria JY Lee started as a CRCW in July 2018 and divides her time evenly between two projects, located in two different parts of Chelmsford: Church of Our Saviour (COS), which is an LEP with the Church of England, and the North Avenue Mission Project.
1. Church of Our Saviour LEP has a multi-generational and multi-ethnic congregation within the united congregation (Anglican/URC/ Free Church). The church building is open for the community during the week with various community activities, which are attended by young mothers and children, retired people and neighbours. This creates the opportunity to build a strong community, which shares in local issues.
The Good Companions project focuses on building a dementia friendly community in the area. Maria provides dementia friendly activities and creative worship to not only those who suffer from dementia, but also for everybody who wants to explore the dementia friendly community.
2. The North Avenue Mission Project was launched on 1 October 2018, following the closure of North Avenue United Reformed Church, after serving the community for 90 years. This Mission Project forms the partnership agreement between Eastern Synod and Oasis Church under the mission statement; Working together and reaching out as a church-in-community.
The mission project takes place at the North Avenue Christian Centre (formerly North Avenue URC) and the area is in the poorest and most under-privileged area of Chelmsford. With this social context in mind, Maria has various opportunities to work closely with local agencies (including Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, Christian Against Poverty, Christians Together in Chelmsford, CHESS, Chelmsford Foodbank, North West Chelmsford Community Action Group) and has actively been involved in setting up a Citizen’s UK project in Chelmsford within an ecumenical context. Maria started ‘Walking the Way-Holy Habits with Our Community’ project in December 2018 to explore living the life of Jesus today.
3. Maria has launched ‘the Little Free Pantry’ project in both communities. It aims to provide an opportunity for neighbours to help each other and it can be accessed 24/7 by anyone needing to help themselves to whatever is inside when they are in crisis, or anyone wishing to donate.
Chelmsford Project is willing to serve the wellbeing of the local people. Maria says that ‘our worship is not only happening at our Sunday services, but is also continued during the week, as we continue to build partnerships with the community and focus on a lifelong Christian discipleship.’
Read a recent CRCW reflection by Maria JY Lee called The Little Free Pantry.
