Where do you come from?

Well broadly speaking, planet Earth... Oh, you want narrowly speaking? I was born in the North West (Bolton) and my formative years - aged 10-19 - were there (on the Wirral); but in between we moved to Kent and then to Shropshire, so I feel I have roots in various parts of England. 

 

Married?

Yes! For nearly a quarter of a century to Peter who is a keen cyclist and a telecom engineer in his spare time - not wait... other way round! I think I may need to start planning a party - cycling with not be the theme... although we did leave our wedding on a tandem.

 

Children?

We have three: Mark a graduate, Esther a student and Piers who is wrestling with public exams at school!

 

What does your role in Salway involve?

The main aim is to support families and young adults in the church and the surrounding community, however that is needed. Sometimes people need help with big issues, but it is often opportunities to strengthen couples in their relationships; to encourage parents in their vital role, and to offer practical support, for example in helping parents and children settle happily at our Pre-School, enabling parents build a friendship network... or simply lose baby (or Christmas!) weight etc.. etc. 

My goal is to show and share the relevance of faith at all ages and stages of life, whatever we're grappling with; I am always available to chat about the "Big Questions", and I facilitate groups for those who want to learn more. In other words, my job is varied; you may just as easily find me organising a fun trip out with a group as having a deep conversation about the meaning of life!

 

How long have you been in this part of London?

I moved to the South East when I became a student, and moved into London when I graduated. I came to Woodford when we got married in the early nineties. The kids were born and brought up here. 

 

So how did you become a Christian?

Both my parents were Christians and they read us Bible stories, and explained about God’s love and care. I trusted in God in my simple way, so you could say I was a believer even at that young age. When I was nine, my Dad died and it was then that we really saw God’s love and care in action, providing in practical – and even miraculous – ways for us in our sadness and need. Life became very different: we had to move to a different area, find new friends, go to new schools, but God helped us in everything.  When I was a teenager, I definitely tried to make my mark on the world by being a bit of a rebel; faith became less important and my social life was top of the agenda. But once I graduated, I realised that if God was real, I had better start having better priorities. I joined a large church in the City, and began to really listen. I joined a group that read and discussed Mark’s Gospel, an account of Jesus’s life in the Bible. In studying that little book with others, I saw Jesus in a new light – he came off the page and met me! That’s really what the Christian faith is to me: meeting with Jesus and journeying together through everything life throws at you.

 

What have you learned in your faith?

Oh dear, the more I go on, the more I feel I have to learn! One great thing to realise is that faith isn’t really about knowing loads of stuff, but it’s having confidence in someone else who DOES know! I guess faith for me is more about growing attributes: learning patience, graciousness, confidence in God, etc. One great joy that faith gives me is the certainty of being with my Dad again – what a catch-up that will be!

 

Personal Motto?

I instinctively want to answer “Look confident – they won’t realise you know nothing!” but as I’ve just ‘fessed up… We chose for our wedding  a Bible quote that we thought then was an important foundation for our lives, and it’s one we go back to quite often:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

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What do you enjoy outside church work?

I love getting together with the family, and spending time with friends – making new friendships is a delight! Peter and I try to explore London and Essex whenever we can; it usually involves a little lunch and hopefully less cycling. Onesie evenings should probably be mentioned, although they are so unglamorous.  I enjoy being creative, cooking, meals out and theatre – even though I don’t go often. I’ve discovered the pleasure of sharing the children’s passions with them, such as rock music, comedy, art, movie nights… still struggling with “Made in Chelsea”, skateboarding and gaming, though!