The ministry team is made up of the Minister and lay people. Running the Sunday services is a big part of the ministry of the church and services are led by the Minister, the Licensed Lay Ministers and the Lay Worship Leaders. The wider pastoral work is covered by the Minister and the Lay Pastoral Assistants. The team, as a whole, aims to be a visible and accessible face of the church in the wider community. We are involved in our local schools, social clubs, community groups, care homes (and the pubs!).
THE MINISTER
Rev. Andrew Gubbins
Growing up in Tonbridge (Kent), I headed North to study History at York before several years of life in Leeds and work around Yorkshire (as a civil servant on benefits and employment issues). I am shaped by the stories of my parents. Kenneth and Margaret, who since the mid ‘70s, with personal steps of faith, local action and global vision have never rested on their laurels. Likewise my younger sister Juliet, who serves two inner–city parishes in Gloucester. My faith was formed in the heady days of large church youth groups, camps, worship bands and the Christian Union, but also by time with SU in Zimbabwe before university, by various experiences of outreach, and in raising issues of prejudice in Christian attitudes on sexuality.
LICENSED LAY MINISTERS AND WORSHIP LEADERS
A Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) sometimes known as a “Reader”, is part of a national body of lay ministers. LLMs lead services in church (though not Holy Communion), officiate at funerals and have a preaching and teaching focus to their ministry.
In the Diocese of Salisbury, we have another group of lay ministers called Lay Worship Leaders (LWLs). LWLs’ primary focus is to lead services in church but like LLMs they work to encourage people in their faith, in knowledge of the Bible and in prayer throughout the week as well.
MRS ABI RUDD
Abi moved to Child Okeford 8 years ago. As a mother of 2 she was quickly welcomed into the Messy Church family and is now one of the Messy Church leaders. Busy with family, school and church life, Abi was surprised at the journey God has called her on. Having been on the LPA training, Abi then moved on to doing the Lay Worship Leader course. She now leads worship across the benefice.
Abi has put her heart into supporting the ministry team and parishioners in the challenges and blessings we share in our lives today.
LAY PASTORAL ASSISTANTS
Lay Pastoral Assistants engage in the ministry of care, hospitality, practical help and sometimes the discernment of ongoing, more in depth care for people. The foundation of pastoral care is listening and lay pastoral assistants engage deliberately and intentionally in listening to others. They share in the daily prayer life of the church.
LPAs assist the Minister in the provision of pastoral care to the whole parish. The cure of souls assigned to the Minister is then shared with others, providing a better level of care.
MRS CAROLYN ANGELUCCI
Carolyn moved from London to Dorset 8 years ago. When she lived in London she worked in the banking sector. She has been an LPA for 6 years and lives in Child Okeford with her husband Simon.
If you are interested in receiving pastoral visits, Carolyn can be contacted on 01258 860049.
MRS RUTH ALLEN
Ruth and her husband Keith moved into Child Okeford in 2013 and Ruth retired shortly after that. She had been very involved in her previous church and very quickly became involved at St Nicholas. Church life is important to Ruth and she is very aware that there are many folk who need Christian comfort. Becoming an LPA is a way of showing God’s love for us all.
If you are interested in receiving pastoral visits, Ruth can be contacted on 01258 860068.
Jill Burton
Jill came to Shillingstone in 1991 to work at Croft House School. She and Paul were married in Holy Rood Church in 1993 and their daughter was baptised there. Jill has been actively involved in village life being a PCC member and school governor, assisted with Sunday School and Youth Club, also PTA and village events. She enjoys helping others, believing that small things can make a difference and that with God’s help anything is possible.
If you are interested in receiving pastoral visits, Jill can be contacted on 01258 860487.
