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NEW CLERGY FOR OXON, BERKS AND BUCKS
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, will ordain 21 new Deacons at two services at Christ Church, Oxford. The services are on:
• Saturday October 3 at 5pm
• Sunday October 4 at 10.30am
The newly ordained Deacons will mainly serve as curates in parishes across the Diocese of Oxford, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
The candidates are:
• Michael Berrett to serve in the benefice of Wantage
• Lyn Bliss to serve in the benefice of Bucklebury
• Rosemary Bruce to serve in the benefice of Drayton
• Nigel Byard to serve in the benefice of Sunningdale
• Helen Charlton to serve in the benefice of Wokingham
• Matthew Cookson to serve in the benefice of Kintbury with Avington and West Woodhay with Enborne, Hamstead Marshall, Inkpen and Combe
• John Croton to serve in the benefice of Reading Christ Church
• Geoffrey Pugh to serve in the benefice of Ruscombe and Twyford
• Simon Thorn to serve in the benefice of Abingdon
• Caroline Wilson to serve in the benefice of Caversham St Andrew
• Judith Brown to serve in the benefice of North Hinksey and Wytham
• Karen Browne to serve in the benefice of Newport Pagnell with Lathbury and Moulsoe
• Helen Chamberlain to serve in the benefice of Farnham Royal with Hedgerley
• Martin Davis to serve in the benefice of Colnbrook and Datchet
• Jaqueline Jones to serve in the benefice of Chipping Norton
• Robert Legge to serve in the benefice of Walton Holy Trinity
• Andrew Parry to serve in the benefice of Horton and Wraysbury
• Charlie Styles to serve in the benefice of Britwell St George
• Shawn Swinney to serve in the benefice of Gerrards Cross and Fulmer
• Etienne Van Blerk to serve in the benefice of Bicester with Bucknell, Caversfield and Launton
• Alastair Wood to serve in the benefice of Headington Quarry
Biographies:
Michael Berrett, Wantage:
Motorcylist Michael is married with four children. His wife is a music teacher at the Manor School, Abingdon. They have lived in the Wantage area for more than 25 years. Michael served as a member of General Synod from 2000-2005; He is a partner a legal practice and a deputy District Judge. He is a committee member of Headway, a charity committed to helping the victims of brain injuries and their families. He rides a Triumph Sprint sports tourer bike and is a Bath Rugby fan. He says: ‘I am hoping one day someone will ask me to be a chaplain to the local rugby club!’
Lyn Bliss: Bucklebury
On leaving school in 1973, Lyn says her ideal career would have been as a
deep sea fisherman or a vicar. For a girl, however, neither was an option. Now, married with three grown-up children, she is looking forward to the opportunity to do both, as a ‘Fisher of Men’ helping to build God’s Kingdom.
Nigel Byard: Sunningdale
Nigel is married to Rosemary and they have two children, Jonathan and Emma. He is a road safety specialist and accident investigator, who has worked on casualty and accident reduction projects all over the world. Nigel is a lifelong car enthusiast and is restoring a classic Mini.
Helen Charlton: Wokingham
Having lived in Wokingham for many years, my husband, Clive, and I will be staying here while I serve my curacy at All Saints Church. Our children have now left home and I will continue my paid work as a senior social worker in the mental health.
Matthew Cookson: Kintbury with Avington and West Woodhay with Enborne, Hamstead Marshall, Inkpen and Combe
Matthew says his wife Clare and sons Mark and Paul sustained him on his journey towards ordination. He works in the post office in his home village, which he says contains mirth and lot of enthusiasm.
John Croton: Christ Church, Reading.
John was born in Christ Church parish; about ten minutes walk from the church.
He met his wife, Chris there and they were married in 1965. The couple have two children and one granddaughter. John has also been involved with the Scouting movement since he was a teenager.
Simon Thorn: Abingdon
Simon Thorn thought about becoming a priest when at school, but instead trained as a neuroscientist at Bristol University. After his PhD, he became a biology teacher and is now Head of Science at Radley College, where he also commands Royal Navy cadets, plays the bassoon and walks his whippets.
Caroline Wilson: Caversham St Andrew
Married to Colin, with three teenage children, Caroline has been at various times a systems analyst, a full-time mother, and a part-time teacher of both maths and the flute. She enjoys music, reading, walking, knitting, tapestry and visiting historic houses, museums and art galleries.
Judith Brown: North Hinksey and Wytham
Judith’s "day job" as a Professor of History in Oxford University has let her explore one of her great passions – India. She says: ‘I was born there, taught there in my gap year and regularly visit for work and pleasure. My garden is therapy after a hard day. Peter and I have just celebrated our Silver Wedding anniversary and we have one adult son.’
Karen Browne: Newport Pagnell with Lathury and Moulsoe
Karen is 45 and lives in Newport Pagnell with husband Richard, daughter Elisabeth, nine and a collection of dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens. Born and raised on the Wirral, she moved south 24 years ago to find work. She loves knitting, embroidery and vintage handbags.
Martin Davis: Colnbrook and Datchet
Martin is married to Diana and has three sons; Joel, Paul and Adam. He is a fan of modern architecture and Bob Dylan.
Andrew Parry: Horton and Wraysbury
Andrew, apparently unsure of the call to ministry, did a range of things which he says might, in some strange way, have prepared him for ministry. He has been a history teacher, paramedic, regional manager in a paint business, an internal auditor at ICI, HR Systems manager. He currently works as an HR manager.
Shawn Swinney: Gerrards Cross and Fulmer
Shawn has a wife named Jo and a daughter named Alexa. He is expecting another daughter to arrive in the next month. He is looking forward to serving his title in Gerrards Cross and Fulmer, where he has worked for the last five years. He enjoys the occasional curry, snooker and all things computerised.
Etienne van Blerk: Bicester and Islip
Etienne is South African and married to Hannah who is Jordanian. They have three children, Kay, nine, Julia, six and Steffan, three. He was ordained in a South African church as a missionary in the Lebanon and Jordan for nine years. He is now called to pioneer ministry within the CofE.
Alastair Wood: Headington Quarry
Leading children’s work from the age of ten, Alastair has been involved in many frontline ministries, particularly whilst working with Scripture Union for over 20 years. A published singer songwriter, Alastair also is keen photographer, radio personality and consultant in the gaming industry.
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