Meet the team

Way Forward Project Team: Project Lead
Finance & Admin

Rhoda has lived on the outskirts of Felsted with her husband for nearly 46 years and been a member of the Stebbing church family for about 8 years. She has one son who is married, and two young grandsons. Upon retiring as a finance professional and project manager, she became a Trustee for a local charitable organization. Rhoda enjoys travelling, especially in their motorhome, visiting France and Italy many times. She also enjoys spending time in the house and garden and at their holiday caravan by the coast.

Way Forward Project Team: Project Lead
Technical & Operations

Stan was born in Scotland moved to Felsted in 1999.   He worked in the IT industry from the days when the computing power in your mobile phone took up a whole room!    He and his wife, Tricia,  built their house, the Laurels, in Felsted, from the ground up and on Stan's retirement from the BBC, they started to run it as a B&B.   Stan and Tricia have been part of St Mary's in Stebbing for the past 10 years.

Way Forward Project Team: Project Lead
Community & Communications

Tony has lived in the Stebbing/Felsted area for 26 years and has worshipped at St Mary’s for 12 years with his wife Penny and their 2 (now grown up) children.  Tony served in the Royal Navy for 18 years and has been working as a Project/Programme Manager in the IT industry for 31 years. Hobbies include gardening and rugby - spectating not playing.

Way Forward Project Team: Project Administrator

Marketing & Communication

Sarah moved to the area 10 years ago and has worshipped at St Mary's during this time.  Sarah worked in the marketing industry for over 14 years with various toy manufacturing companies, Virgin Atlantic and Berry Bros. & Rudd.  She lives in Finchingfield with her husband and two young boys.

Way Forward Project Team: Project Administrator

Finance

Karen worked in Regulatory Compliance in the Financial Services Industry for 30 years before leaving for a better work life balance which, due to COVID turned into early retirement!  She has lived in Little Sampford with her husband Peter since 2010.  Karen enjoys travelling, especially to her apartment in Gran Canaria, gardening, keeping fit and volunteering at her local church.

Way Forward Project Team:
Volunteer & Training Co-Ordinator

Sandi has lived in Stebbing for 30 years with her husband, Peter. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. Sandi spent her career in Further Education and Sixth Form teaching and has been an active member of the Parish Council for many years. She is also involved in various community activities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Way Forward Project Team: Heritage Engagement Officer

Esther recently graduated from the University of Winchester after completing a degree in Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies followed by a Master's degree in Cultural Heritage and Resource Management. Esther loves to read mysteries, crochet, and knit.

Way Forward Project Team: Ecologist

Richard has lived in North Essex for 35 years. He spent 18 years running the Pelham Field Centre and Nature Reserve, inspiring visitors through outdoor education, before moving to King Edward’s Grammar School in Chelmsford. Passionate about plants and invertebrates, Richard has contributed to many ecological surveys involving schools and local groups.

In his spare time, he writes nature articles and speculative fiction. Richard is married to Caroline and has a daughter, Laura.

Way Forward Project Team: Historian

Caroline has always had a deep love of History and after taking undergraduate and masters degrees, was able to share her enthusiasm throughout a 30 year teaching career. She is now enjoying her retirement, with her husband, Richard and dogs in North West Essex and keeping out of mischief by volunteering in various capacities at her local church, relearning French and attending keep fit classes.

Priest-in-Charge & Steering Committee

After teaching for many years, Sue trained for ministry at St Mellitus College, South Kensington, completing a master’s degree in Christian Leadership. During that time she worked with 4 rural churches in Chelmsford diocese. Sue was ordained in 2016 and began her curacy in what is now The Pilgrim Parishes. Sue was appointed as Priest in Charge in April 2021. Sue is married to Andy.

Steering Committee

Louise lives in Dunmow with her husband, Peter. They have two grown up children. Louise was a primary school teacher and now works at a local supermarket. She has worshipped at Stebbing church for over 25 years. She loves gardening, walking and being creative with threads.

Steering Committee

Jamie has lived in Felsted for 40 years and has worshipped at St. Mary’s for the last 3 years. He and his wife Judy, lived briefly in Stebbing in 1982 / 83 when his daughter Ruth was baptised in St Mary’s.  He worked as an independent arable farm advisor (agronomist) for most of his working life. His hobbies include gardening and cycling. Judy and he enjoy travelling and they regularly visit their son Will, his wife Fi and their three grandchildren, Noah, Reuben and Tilly who live in rural Donegal, Ireland. Jamie was recently elected as churchwarden, alongside Louise Milner.

Steering Committee

James has lived in and around Stebbing for 39 years and worshiped at St Marys also during that time. James worked in the packaging Industry for the whole of his career in various parts of U.K. and Europe. He lives in Felsted with his wife Sue and they have two grown up children and two small grandchildren. James is currently the church Treasurer and enjoys time on the golf course as relaxation.

Steering Committee

Ian was ordained in 2016 having been trained at St Mellitus theological college.

Prior to retirement, Ian worked for nearly 40 years at Barclays Bank, based in the City of London and in Canary Wharf.