Parish of Greenside
Leadership Team
Hopefully you have seen Tom about and maybe even shared a pint with him at the club. Tom is a dad and a husband. He loves ice skating and 3D printers. And he's the local vicar.
Most importantly, though, Tom is someone who has discovered that life only makes sense when we give everything to Jesus and ask him to take charge. Since doing this at a young age, Tom has followed a wonderful adventure with Jesus which has eventually brought him from South Africa, where he grew up, to the North East to serve as a priest in the Church of England.
Rosemary loves being part of her church family in Greenside Parish and considers herself greatly blessed in coming from a large family, where she has now reached the stage of being a great, great aunt!
Today she is a retired priest with permission to officiate in Durham Diocese, presiding at Eucharist, preaching, conducting baptisms, weddings, funerals, and also leading the Pastoral Care Team, along with Mike and Pastoral Minister Cath. And occasionally, Rosemary helps out by serving in other parishes, when needed.
Back in 1998, Rosemary and Mike led 'The Way of The Spirit' courses in Nairobi.Today she is experiencing the joy of its expansion throughout Kenya, through ex-student and friend Pastor Job Barasa. Rosemary also continues in her many years of involvement with a children's school in Kenya.
After a 14 year career in the Army, then a few years working for Durham Diocese in Mission and Ministry, and then two wonderful years at vicar school (Cranmer Hall), Rachael was ordained as a deacon in July 2022. She is now serving Greenside Parish as a curate and is also setting up a new church in Chopwell Parish with a focus on finding and worshipping God by connecting with nature. Think woods, tents and firepits and that'll give you a flavour.
If you want to find Rachael try Ryton rugby club first. She is delighted to be able to combine her passion for the game with serving this important community within the parish. She plays back row. Rachael is looking forward to joining Greenside cricket club when the rugby season is over. Rachael loves the outdoors, bird watching, hiking, weightlifting, being around people and sharing stories about Jesus. She is very blessed indeed to be married to Dickie, and to be the mother of two children.
Mike says, 'I became a Christian in my late 30’s at Peterborough Faith Camp. Since then I have served in the church as a Youth Leader, also within a worship team singing and leading, I also became a Co-Warden, then Warden, I was a Home Group Leader and now I am a Reader/Licensed Lay Minister, I also conduct funerals, which has opened doors to the local populace and I have met many people who have attended our church previously. I lead the Pastoral Care Team now, with Rosemary my wife and Pastoral Care Minister Cath.
We have also worked in several areas in Kenya and have visited many countries doing outreach work with other churches. These other cities and countries include Bogota, Colombia, Oradea in Romania and Salima Bay and Lilongwe in Malawi.' I'm also looking forward to a time of mission in Uganda in 2025.
Churchwarden Cath Jones. (Info to follow)
After years of being a church member here St John’s and Holy Spirit, Tricia felt it was the right time to join the Leadership Team as Churchwarden, alongside Cath.
She says ‘Prior to this role, I helped with youth work in the church for many years. Having raised two children in Greenside, I have had the privilege of being part of this all age extended family for three decades. I was brought up as a Christian and my father was vicar of this parish during the 1990s, but it’s been a continual process of learning and growing. It’s often through the hardest times that we see God most at work in our lives.’
Tricia lives in Greenside with her husband David, dog and cat, with her grown up children now at university. She works full time in health and social care across County Durham, in a strategic role that aims to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society get the support and care they need.
In her spare time, Tricia enjoys getting outdoors with family and friends and in being creative, whether that’s cooking, music or art - when time allows.
Licensed Lay Minister Paul Hobbs (Info to follow)
