Staff and Leadership

Please find below an introduction to our staff team.

Rev'd Becky Jones
Vicar
I heard about God from childhood but it was after joining a youth group that my faith came alive at the age of 17. I had an encounter with God that convinced me that Jesus is alive and real, and it is possible to know him. I discovered I was forgiven, loved and completely accepted by God. The adventure of following Jesus has been what life is all about since. I love seeing Jesus transforming lives. I’m passionate about God’s Word and seeing the reconciling Spirit of God at work.

I’m married to Will and have two young children. Previously I served as Associate Vicar for the Parish of Aston and Nechells, Birmingham and was Curate at Coventry Cathedral. I’ve also worked for charities and have degrees in Biochemistry and Theology. In my spare time I enjoy quality time with family, sharing meals, photography and crafts. I love a good curry.


Rebecca Mitchell Church Administrator and Safeguarding Officer
I was bought up in a Christian home but went off the rails in my late teens, getting involved in drugs and toxic relationships. In desperation for my life to change I cried out to God and from that day onwards He has been faithful to me. I came to St. Mary’s very broken and ended up doing Pathway and surrendering my life to Christ. My life is now totally transformed. I am married to Darren and our 3 children are amazing. All praise to God who lifted me out of the miry clay to be a new creation in Him.


Darren Mitchell CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Centre Manager & Youth Leader		Charles Holden Finance Manager
For 31 years my life was so far away from God. Through my misspent youth and early twenties I was frequently involved with criminal activities as well as being addicted to drugs and alcohol. I then became involved with drug dealing which led to a prison sentence in 2001. I felt such an emptiness and void in my life that in my desperation I cried out to God while in my prison cell. I asked God if He was real. To my amazement He showed me that He was. I was immediately filled with His love through His Holy Spirit. He then gave me a promise through the Bible that He would set me free from the past and all that I had been through. I’ve now been free of alcohol and drug addiction and am married to Rebecca with three amazing daughters. So God is good and keeps all of His promises.		I have been part of the Church of England all my life. My parents were actively involved in their local church and I was brought up in a close Christian home. Although I had been baptised and confirmed by the time I went to University in 1971 I had unresolved questions about God and was without a faith that had become ‘my own’. I realised that it was impossible to live up to Jesus’ teaching and the standards he had set in my own strength and one Sunday I was challenged in a Service to accept Jesus for myself. I found new direction from inviting Jesus anew into my life and I believe that has led me on a journey of growing closer to God day by day.

Jenny Wilcock Children and Families Leader
I grew up in a Christian household and gave my life to Jesus when I was about 6 years old. I then decided to get baptised when I was about 8 years old. Since then, I have known Jesus as my saviour and my friend, that I am loved and forgiven by Him. I started working with children in my home church as a volunteer when I was 12. I loved coming alongside them, teaching them all about Jesus and watching them grow in their relationship with Him. I have just graduated from Cardiff University with a BA in Media and Communications. Whilst at university, I set up the Children’s Ministry at my church there. In my spare time, I enjoy catching up with friends, baking and drinking good coffee.

Hello! and a warm welcome to St Mary's church.
If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

We hope that you can visit and get to know us better, we would love to meet you!

Our Sunday Services

10.30am (refreshments after the service)

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the Bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is Bible-based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service. Holy Communion is 4th Sunday of the month. If you have any questions please ask!

6pm (refreshments after the service)

Our 6pm service is held in the Church Centre in the Lower Hall. An informal, quieter service with contemporary songs and occasional liturgy. Holy Communion is 2nd Sunday of the month.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access via the centre door, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it in the church. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet in the Church centre.

Newcomers Lunch

We invite everyone to be a guest at a Newcomers Welcome Lunch normally held once a term after the 10.30 Sunday service, usually in the Church Centre.

As well as an opportunity for us all to get to know one another better, you can hear more about the life and ministry of St Mary’s and how as a committed Christian you may be able to get involved.

We also have a Whole Church Sunday lunch together once a month in our Lower Hall.

Christmas inside church

What about my kids?

Children's groups run on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month (except school holidays) at the 10:30 service and your kids are very welcome to join them.

Each group (excluding Crèche) includes, sung worship, Bible reading, prayer, listening to God, games, craft and food!

All groups are led by wonderful volunteers from within the church family who have completed a DBS check and are safely recruited.

Creche (0 months to 2 years). Parent supervised.
Sparklers (2-4 years)
Flames (5-7 years)
Rockets (8-11 years Junior School)
Youth (Secondary School age)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs), together for the first part of the morning. At some point someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups at first and register them as part of our child safety policy.

For more information about what happens in the children's work please visit the Children's Ministry page. Children return to the service before the end.

St Mary's has lots of children and families, we love having kids around and try to make them feel welcome and at home.

Hope kids pic

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev'd Becky Jones
Vicar of St Mary's

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Becky