Chelmsford Vineyard

Chelmsford Vineyard was planted out of Rayleigh Vineyard in May 2010 by Graham & Libby Woodward, soon joined by Russ & Pippa McLean from Southend Vineyard.  Together they make up the leadership team here at Chelmsford Vineyard.

Graham & Libby Woodward

We met on a ski slope in Switzerland in 2000 but it took a further seven years for us to get together as a couple!  Graham has lived in the Chelmsford area for most of his life.  He spends his days running the family business and most of his holidays instructing skiing or other outdoor pursuits!Libby was new to Essex in 2007 and so far is loving the sunshine having grown up in the Midlands.  She spent three years studying theology at the University of Nottingham before working in a school and then as an Assistant Pastor at Trent Vineyard, Nottingham.

Libby’s love for skiing ensured that she bumped into Graham on various occasions in the mountains and eventually we got married in December 2007.  On moving to Chelmsford Libby got a job as a schools worker for a group of churches and it was while we got involved at Rayleigh Vineyard that God started to speak to us about planting in Chelmsford.  Church planting was always something that excited Libby and through God speaking to Graham about it too – we begin this adventure here in Chelmsford!  We love Jesus and love people so church planting makes sense!

During our time at Southend, Russ has worked in community development and more recently as a Fundraising Manager for a London Housing Charity. Pip has juggled teaching, having babies and being kids’ pastor at Southend Vineyard.  About midway through our time in Southend, God began speaking to us about church planting & one day moving to Chelmsford.  We're really excited that the time has now come to work with Libby and Graham in building a great church - one that's gonna serve God and make a real difference in Chelmsford!