Amongst the challenges, the joy and the excitement of Middlesbrough Deanery, one of our priorities is Mission in the outer estates on the east of the town where there is multiple deprivation.

The parish church of St Thomas suffered structural issues and was closed and then demolished in 2007, leaving a huge area of several estates now attached to a neighbouring parish. The vicar, Father Terry Leathley, after prayer and with the support of the Bishop of Whitby and the Deanery, raised funds for a 3 wheeled ‘Tuk Tuk’ vehicle which is fitted out as a superior coffee station; both van and cups are decorated with the slogan, “GIVEN WITH GOD’S LOVE.” Father Terry, now trained as a barista, drives the van to his regular stopping places several days a week to give out delicious free coffee, chat and listen, get to know people and share his faith. A venture not without adventure!

The Deanery Leadership Team (DLT) meets regularly, sometimes with the Bishop and Archdeacon, to set priorities, to plan next steps and to pray. Another result of this is TOMMY'S, a youth group set up in St Thomas’ parish and named after it, run by the Trinity Youth and Children's Project from the neighbouring parish of North Ormesby. TOMMY'S meets in the community hub, has a regular attendance of 40 and has become a very important part of the Church of England's presence and service in east Middlesbrough.

As another encouragement, we are recruiting two Church Army officers to live and work in this area as part of the Diocese-wide 20s to 40s initiative. We feel that at last things are moving.

All of these developments have caused us to be 'surprised by joy'. We rejoice that the journey has been underpinned and accompanied not just by the regular DLT planning meetings, but by cross-parish support with regular, frequent and specific prayer for the area, supported by a wide range of people. We deliberately meet to pray in the community hub, and before leaving turn to face out of the windows and with arms outstretched invoke God's blessing on the people of the area.

Kate Morris - Lay Dean
Dominic Black
- Area Dean