Who’s Who in Church
We have a Vicar, Beverley, two Churchwardens, Kevin and Sheila, two Lay Readers, Gaynor and Steve, and two Authorised Lay Ministers, Maria and Jenny. There is also our indefatigable team of administrators. Details including email contacts where appropriate are available by clicking on the “+” marks below. Overall responsibility for church affairs rests with the Vicar and members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Our Vicar Beverley trained as a teacher in Brighton and taught in Bognor Regis for some years before taking a career break to start a family. She lived in Clapham Village where she was actively involved in the community. Beverley instigated the Village Post Office Project to save the village store and post office from closure and became the Post Mistress. Following her return to teaching Beverley took on the role of supporting pre-school children with complex additional needs and their families through West Sussex Portage .
Beverley trained as a Reader and went on to be ordained Deacon in 2009 when she became Parish Deacon at All Saints, Findon Valley. She was appointed Deacon-in-charge in January 2015 and then Priest-in-charge upon her ordination to the priesthood in June 2015.
Beverley’s parish ministry has been combined with roles within the Diocese. As Adult Education Officer at Church House she had responsibility for Reader Training, managing and delivering the programme. She also organised the Following Jesus, Bishop’s Certificate Course across the Diocese. Beverley co-wrote the Pastoral Training Course for the Diocese which became the basis of the Authorised Lay Ministry Course. She is a tutor on the new Diocesan Living Faith Course and leads the ALM module for Pastoral Care.
Between 2011 and 2014 Beverley held a part-time post as Chaplain with the Western Sussex Hospitals Trust, Worthing and then became part-time Chaplain at Care for Veterans in Worthing. Care for Veterans is a charity which supports physically disabled ex-Service personnel and the chaplaincy is a very important part of its holistic, person-centred approach to care.
Beverley and her husband Michael have two grown-up sons. Michael is a keen gardener. They both love the woods and open spaces and enjoy walking with Alfie their cockapoo.
Beverley came to St Augustine’s during the quiet days of lockdown in March 2021 and has been busy ever since getting to know everyone.
Beverley can be contacted at revbev.sash@gmail.com.
Sheila and Kevin are our Churchwardens, whose tasks and duties are many and various. When the webmaster finds out exactly what these duties are, he will make sure to post information about them here. Though to be fair, the webmaster has been saying this precise thing for many years, with no extra information ever having been provided.
Sheila’s e-mail address is sheilamaid@hotmail.com, and Kevin’s is kdeal316@gmail.com.
Both were licensed at Chichester Cathedral, Gaynor on Saturday 23rd September 2017, and Steve on Saturday 29th September 2018.
Authorised Lay Ministers share in the public ministry of their local church as they serve their parishes. Their ministry takes on many different forms — family and youth work, worship leading, chaplaincy, preaching, pastoral, community, etc. — but in general they will lead, establish or work within a team of people working in an area of ministry. Training for this ministry lasts a year and requires a DBS check and training to C2 level of safeguarding.
Maria (right hand figure in the left hand photo) is our Authorised Lay Minister Animal Chaplain. After completing a chaplaincy course at Church House, Maria was authorised in Chichester Cathedral in April and was appointed the first Animal Chaplain.
Her role includes co-ordinating support for people undergoing the loss or bereavement of a pet or any animal including horses. She is available for anyone experiencing pet loss in the parish and wider community too.
Her day job is Practice Manager in a local veterinary practice and she has completed the Blue Cross certificate in Pet Bereavement, so she understands first hand how the impact of the loss or death of a much loved pet can be a very real and painful experience.
For further information please contact Maria at sash.parishoffice@gmail.com
Jenny (left hand figure in the right hand photo) has joined Maria as our second Authorised Lay Minister.
Jenny’s training was with a pastoral elective, and her role includes working with the pastoral team to use music creatively, supporting the work of the ministry team with prayer and music, and composing music and hymns in response to pastoral needs.
Jamie (right hand figure in right hand photo) is our treasurer so his picture really belongs with the Admin Team. But he looks happier with Jenny, really.
Of course, everyone, every member of the congregation, and every visitor who comes to the church and worships with us, is an important part of the St Augustine’s Church family. If you are looking for a church in the Scaynes Hill area, or are perhaps just looking to understand more about Christianity, you would be very welcome to join our family!