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In what year were you born and where? 1963, Yeovil Somerset.
When you were a child, what did you want to grow up to be or do? The usual – footballer, pop singer. Also, an author.
What was the most outlandish thing you did as a teenager? Going to a West End cinema dressed as an Egyptian Mummy.
What was your main form of employment before going into the church ministry? I was a Civil Servant working in the field of employment. Initially I worked in Jobcentres before becoming involved in work to open up job opportunities for disabled people. I had roles in developing partnerships and policy before managing a project to develop partnerships between Jobcentres and faith communities.
Where did you undertake your theological training? I trained on the North Thames Ministerial Training Course which, for me, was a great experience of how being part of a supportive community enables a real depth in exploring faith and the outworking of faith.
Where have your served as a curate? I have served my title at St. Margaret’s, Barking where I have been part of a wonderfully supportive community ministering in a diverse area that has enabled me to gain a wide range of parish experiences and to explore my interests in the arts, interfaith engagement and social action.
Where did you meet your wife? I met Christine at St. Augustine’s, Highbury when I moved to London to study after my A Levels. I didn’t get the anticipated A Level grades and therefore couldn’t go to University as I had planned. I thought about giving up study but eventually found a place at Middlesex Polytechnic. I was too late to go into Halls so found a room to live in Highbury just around the corner from St Augustine’s which was the Church I began attending. Without the disappointment and change of plans through not getting the anticipated results I would not have met and married Christine. Sometimes, you can only see God’s hand at work in your life when you look back.
Describe your children. Our eldest child Sian, who is 17, is learning to drive and about to begin a Legal Secretary’s course at Barking College. While at St. Edward’s Sian enjoyed playing volleyball and, as part of the team there, represented England at a tournament in Cyprus. Emma, who is 15, is at St. Edward’s and will take her GCSEs this year. Emma enjoys singing lessons and is part of two different youth groups. Emma won her lengthy campaign to persuade me to get a dog and her pet Georgia, a Bichon Frise, is now another loved member of our family.
What newspaper do you read? I buy newspapers when they have articles that interest me.
Where do you like to go on holiday? We have enjoyed going to France in three of the past four years.
What has been your favourite journey? Last year I visited the parish of Kristinehamn (Swedish Link) in Sweden with a group from St. Margaret’s. Kristinehamn is linked with St. Margaret’s and in alternate years one group visits the other. Our Swedish friends are wonderfully welcoming hosts and we were able to enjoy the culture and sights of Sweden as well as learning about ministry in the Parish and deepening relationships.
Who makes you laugh? I love surreal humour with Spike Milligan and Paul Merton being particular favourites.
Do you have a pet hate? Car drivers who don’t stop at pedestrian crossings.
What are your favourite TV programmes? My favourite TV programmes have been drama series especially Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective and Alan Plater’s Beiderbecke series. I also enjoy watching music and sport on TV.
What do you listen to on the radio? Christine listens to LBC so I hear that and get wound up by it!
Have you a favourite food? When we eat out, Chinese buffets are our favourite. Also I have a reputation with some for being a choc-o-holic.
What is, or was, your best-loved article of clothing? You only need to see me to know that fashion isn’t an area of interest. Before I was ordained, with the help of Michelle Gillan-Hull, I designed and painted two stoles. One I wore at my ordination.
What household chore do you dislike most? Christine would claim, rightly, that I don’t do many household chores anymore but cleaning the bathroom is probably the worst.
What music do you enjoy? The Staple Singers, Arvo Part, Bruce Cockburn, Aretha Franklin, The Innocence Mission, Van Morrison, T. Bone Burnett, Victoria Williams, Violent Femmes, Maria McKee, Bob Dylan, U2, 16 Horsepower, The Velvet Underground, Al Green, Olivier Messaien, Peter Case, John Taverner, Sam Phillips, Deacon Blue, Over the Rhine, Switchfoot, Lou Reed, Marvin Gaye, James Macmillan, Julie Miller, Woven Hand, Lifehouse … I could go on and on …
Can you play a musical instrument? I can play simple tunes on a Recorder.
How do you like to relax? I enjoy creative writing and painting in watercolours, acrylics and oils. I like going to the cinema, visiting art galleries and eating out. I always have several different books that I am reading and enjoy listening to a wide range of music.
What object can you not live without? A book.
Is there a machine (or object) you wish had never been invented? All weapons of war.
Who would you most like to have met? I would love to be able to paint like Marc Chagall and sing like Al Green. So, if I was to meet them I might pick up some tips!
Have you met anyone famous? I met Tom Baker when he was Doctor Who and he gave me a jelly bean. I haven’t kept it!
Apart from the Bible, which book(s) have influenced you deeply? The poetry of George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins and T.S. Eliot; the novels of Dostoevsky and Nicholas Mosley; and the theology of Walter Brueggemann and N.T. Wright.
What is your favourite hymn or worship song? When I survey the wondrous cross, Take my life and let it be, Light of the world and I will offer up my life.
On what occasion has a part of the Bible inspired or guided you? What part and why?
My journey to ordination and my ministry since has been inspired by Ephesians 4:7-16. In this passage ministry is something that involves every member of the Body of Christ and those with leadership roles exist to facilitate that ministry, not the other way round! The role for those who are ordained is to "prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ".