New Ordinands in the Spotlight
s to celebrate
Julian McAllen, Christ Church, Epsom Common
allowing them to preside over Communion for the first time in their parishes the next day.
They are: Will Bissett of Virginia Water, Elaine Collins of the United Benefice of The Bourne and Tilford, Russell Gant of St Paul’s, Camberley, James Gibson of Busbridge and Hambledon, Peter Hewson of Milford, David Jenkins of Busbridge and Hambledon, Ruth Kidd of Lightwater, Chrissie Lacey of Knaphill with Brockwood, Mandy MacVean of Banstead, Peter Matthew of St John’s, Woking, Daniel Natnael of Goldsworth Park, Chris Owen of Walton-on-Thames and Andrew Reid of Addlestone. Please pray for all of those being ordained, their families and their parishes as they prepare for the next stage in their ministry.
Zoe Pimentel, hany, Woking
It was an Alpha course at Holy Trinity Brompton that led Julian to give his life to God He said: “Having spent my school days in Northern Ireland I attended London Guildhall University where I studied economics before training to be a teacher. I spent sixteen years in London as a teacher of economics and head of department before going to theological college.
“I come from a clergy family - my father was an Army Chaplain for 26 years and then Rector of Ockley, Okewood and Forest Green before retiring in 2006. The church has always been part of my life but it was attending an Alpha course in 1993 that led to me knowing Jesus personally. “Since then I have worked in a number of churches in a voluntary capacity most recently at St Barnabas, Woodside Park, north Finchley. My involvement in the church included co-ordinating hospitality and welcome, running a café church on the High Street and participating in street evangelism. “Much of this work included helping people with addictions and rehousing the homeless. I have a passion for the lost and sharing the Gospel and it was during this time that I felt a call to full-time ordained ministry in the local church.”
Maggie Stirling Troy, St John’s, Farncombe Maggie first sensed a calling to ordination at university 30 years ago, but at that time women could not be ordained in the Church of England.
Gilead Foundations is a Therapeutic Community, offering a residential rehabilitation programme, called KEY, for people with life-controlling addictions, such as drug or alcohol abuse, homelessness, gambling, eating disorders, self harm, and other addictive behaviours.
She said: “As men with whom I had shared student Christian leadership went off to selection panels, I briefly explored full time lay ministry but nothing seemed right. “Instead I started at the College of Law in Guildford meeting my future husband on my first day. I qualified as a solicitor in London, living and working there for the next 16 years. “Once women could be ordained, I was well embarked on a legal career and went on to become a partner. After the birth of my son in 2003 I decided not to return to the city, becoming a self-employed legal consultant for charities.
“The thought of ordination never went away but it was only after moving to Godalming in 2006 that my then Rector made me realise it couldn’t be postponed any longer and that I would never feel ‘ready’ but must trust God’s calling. After three stretching years training with STETS I am looking forward to serving my title as an SSM curate at St John’s - and still don’t feel ‘ready’! “
Michael Barton, Holy Trinity, Claygate Working for Tearfund in Darfur led Michael to realise people’s profound need for spiritual healing.
or of ordinands, the Revd forget the fact that my s on singleness - I had to email tell him I’d gotten engaged! Uganda, teaching at the Kampala Diocese leadership conference, where he had been a guest speaker for a few years. On the plane home, he also asked me about my future plans, and asked if I’d considered ordination. “So, after two people in my life that I respected seemed to recognise something in me, I decided to test out my call, and 18 months after that, started at Trinity in Bristol. “The Guildford Diocesan director of ordinands, the Revd William Challis, has never let me forget the fact that my Bishop’s Advisory Panel talk was on singlenes - I had to email him two months in at college to tell him I’d gotten engaged! Barney and I are excited about continuing to seek and follow God’s call in our lives, and explore joint ministry.”
He said: “After studying for an MEng. at Sheffield University I joined HSBC Bank and moved down to London. Whilst worshipping at St Mark’s, Battersea Rise I came to a living faith in Jesus after a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit and at this time I first felt a call to Christian ministry. “I joined Tearfund in 2006 and worked in the conflict region of Darfur as an area coordinator managing relief programmes for three years. This
was a time of both tremendous heartbreak and satisfaction.
“Here the call to ordained ministry grew as I realised first hand that people need spiritual healing just as much as physical. Returning to the UK I completed the PT Cornhill Training Course whilst working as an intern at St Mark’s for two years. “Most recently I’ve been studying at Wycliffe Hall and in my spare time I enjoy most sports. I’m delighted to be joining the team at Holy Trinity, Claygate, accompanied by my wife Carolyn and daughter Hannah.”
Based on a 300 acre dairy farm in rural Devon, Gilead uses the Genesis Process Relapse Prevention programme with our clients. If you, or someone you know would like more information about Gilead or would like to make an application, please contact:
Laura Alm
Tel: 01837 851240 Fax: 01837 851520
laura.alm@gilead.org.uk
www.gilead.org.uk The Wey June/July 2013
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