St Paul's welcomes our new curate

Firstly we would like to thank all at St Paul’s for the amazing welcome we have received. Whether it has been home-cooked meals, wine and chocolate at the doorstep or painting and decorating we have really felt part of the church from day one.

We have moved from Southborough near Tunbridge Wells where we were part of St Matt’s church in High Brooms for 8 years. Before that, we attended an Ichthus congregation in central London.

I began my training for ministry 2 years ago at Ridley Hall in Cambridge where I studied for a BTh in Ministry and Mission. Rather than move the entire family, we decided that I should commute up and down the M11 for the duration of the course which had its moments, particularly at 6 am on Monday mornings. Before training I was Head of Science at a secondary school, teaching Chemistry. Ali is a qualified speech and language therapist and works for the NHS, Hannah is currently waiting to begin her A-Level studies and Nathan is going into Year 10.

As a family, we love board games, films (mainly ones with at least 6 episodes like Star Wars and Harry Potter), lego and camping. Individually, some of us (you’ll have to work out who!) enjoy Park Run, good wine, scouts, reading, curries and live music. We are all passionate about experiencing God in worship and are excited at the opportunity to seek God together with all at St Paul’s and seeing his kingdom come in all our lives, breaking in and restoring the broken world around us.

Mark, Ali, Hannah & Nathan