Meet the Team

Rev Margaret Staynings - Priest

Margaret has many hats, helping with a wide range of groups, from youth club to Warm Spaces. She also helps to lead our 11am Traditional Holy Communion Service. She has served the church in a voluntary capacity in a number of roles, alongside her late husband David, for over 50 years!

PCC:

Rob Smith (Vicar and Chair)*, Tamara Snell (PCC Secretary)*, Margaret Staynings*, Jason Parker*, Geoff Haynes*, Matt Smith*, Laura de Hondt, Sandra Truman, Ann O'Connor, Jo Bryant, Will Bryant, Isobel Buchan, Marie-Louise Cook*

Those with an asterisk (*) next to their name are also on the leadership team who meet every other week.

Additional Leadership team members: Julia Parker

Rev Rob Smith - Vicar

Rob is our vicar and leads both the PCC and our leadership team. He is passionate about all things Jesus, sport and music. He loves spending time with his family and is a die-hard Man United fan. Rob has over 20 years of working in churches and loves to see people come to know Jesus for themselves! His day off is Saturday.

vicar@stmarysstjames.org.uk

Tamara Snell - Administrator

Tam is our PCC secretary as well as dealing with bookings, managing the office and keeping on top of the day to day running of the church. She is a keen knitter and loves a trip to a coffee shop. Her working days are Wednesday and Friday mornings.

admin@stmarysstjames.org.uk

Marie-Louise Cook - Church Warden

Marie-Louise is our church warden and assists Rob with the leading of the church. She also leads the toddler group, co-ordinates children's church and helps with any events. Outside of church, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

churchwarden@stmarysstjames.org.uk

Neda Verpetinskaite - Youth Intern

Neda working with primarily our youth team as she studies for a Theology degree with SWYM and Moorlands College. She enjoys being creative through drawing and dancing; hanging out with friends and loves a good card or board game. Her days off are Wednesday and Saturday.

intern@stmarysstjames.org.uk

Matt Smith - Youth Worker

As our youth worker, Matt oversees our youth activities, creating safe spaces for young people to belong and come to know Jesus better. In his free time, you can find him watching or playing sports, enjoying a good film and spending time with his wife! His days off are Tuesday and Sunday.

youth@stmarysstjames.org.uk

Geoff Haynes - Foodbank Lead

Geoff leads our foodbank team, checking people in and making sure it all runs smoothly. Geoff also helps regularly in the kitchen, whether at a lunchtime Warm Space or cooking bacon for Breakfast church. He follows rugby, enjoys martial arts and travels down to Cornwall regularly to have some toasted saffron bread!

Julia Parker - Children's Team

Julia is a key part of our leadership team, Warm Space Lunch and children's team. She's part of co-ordinating our Sunday morning activities, seasonal events and activities as well as pastorally supporting families. Julia also spends her time supporting her children and grandchildren and enjoys travelling with her husband Jason.

Jason Parker - Treasurer

Jason is our treasurer and he oversees a lot of the building maintenance. He has experience in the world of banking and in managing his families business. He spends his spare time supporting his children and grandchildren, travelling with his wife Julia and can always find the time to fit in a round of golf!

treasurer@stmarysstjames.org,uk

Laura de Hondt - Safeguarding Lead

Laura is a part of our safeguarding team with Rob and Tam, dealing with mainly disclosures, safeguarding concerns and policies. If you have any worries, do contact her. She is an experienced secondary school English teacher by trade.

safeguarding@stmarysstjames.org.uk