VICAR

Elise has been vicar of the Parish of Rainham with Wennington since July 2020. She was ordained in September 2017 at Chelmsford Cathedral and served her curacy in the parish of Chigwell and Chigwell Row. Elise is originally from America but after a number of years in the UK, she now considers herself an ‘Ameri-Brit’ – definitely still American, but also just a bit British – and England is home for the long term. Outside of her work in the parish, she loves walking in the gorgeous English countryside and hiking in the mountains, reading a good novel or mystery, travelling around the British Isles and Europe (and of course, back to America), and spending time with friends and family.

ASSOCIATE MINISTER

David is our Associate Minister at Rainham and Wennington. He is married to Jan, and they have two married children and seven grandchildren. David and Jan are both now retired from paid employment. David originally trained as a musician but spent all his working life as a Charity Accountant alongside being an unpaid Church of England Priest. Jan had various roles in the charity and public sectors, although she originally trained as a primary school teacher. They enjoy visiting family, music, entertaining friends, puzzles and quizzes, and eating out. David has been in some form of church leadership for over thirty years but was only ordained in 2011. He and Jan joined the team at Rainham in 2015. David enjoys bible study and preaching; Jan enjoys leading worship and supporting the broken; together they enjoy encouraging people in their Christian journey.

CHURCHWARDEN — RAINHAM

Being a churchwarden has been a privilege, it is a role that you must be responsible to hold, because you have to ensure all goes well in the church and all things connected to the church. Balancing this with full time work for me can be demanding, it has been my pleasure to keep holding this role really, because of all the support I get from our clergies and church family. I consider it an honour to serve the Lord ( this is who we do it for in the end) and I press on knowing that He is always encouraging and giving me the strength I need at all times. Here on earth and in practical terms, He sends me so much by way of help, with the very many helpers in our church Family. May the Lord’s name be glorified always, as He continues to guide and equip me.

CHUCHWARDEN — WENNINGTON

Pat has lived in Rainham all her life, now retired Pat worked as a Teaching Assistant at Rainham Village Primary School for over 25 years. Pat started attending RPC after a baptism course in 1985—having always had a faith,but not being a church-goer. “My growth has been a slow process and at times it felt like two steps forward and ten back”. My mother always went to church and encouraged me to pray, but she left me to make up my own mind about church. “It wasn’t until I started to worship at Wennington Parish Church after several years of organising their shows, while still worshipping at RPC that I felt as if I had come home, and I feel that my faith has grown stronger since worshipping here. I love and enjoy worshipping and being with the family at Wennington”. Pat has served on the PCC at both Rainham and Wennington, and has been a Deanery Synod Representative and member of the Deanery Synod Standing Committee. Pat is currently in her ninth year serving as Churchwarden for Wennington.

CHURCHWARDEN — WENNINGTON

My name is Timothy Stock and I am churchwarden at Wennington parish church. I moved to Wennington in 1980 with my wife Maggie and two daughters. Over the next few years we went on to have another three sons. All our children had a great time growing up in the village. I have been a gravedigger for over forty years. I enjoy being part of a team keeping the church grounds tidy, and helping out the local community whenever l can.

LAY MINISTER

I am married to David and we live in Hornchurch. We came to Rainham and Wennington in 2015 when David was licenced as Associate Minister. We have two married children and seven grandchildren. I have always been a member of the Church of England and consider it my spiritual home. However, my passion is to see people fall in love with Jesus. Church is about relationships rather than sticking to a set of rules; a relationship with the living God and with one another.

I love to lead worship both sung and spoken. I feel privileged to be part of the church Leadership Team, assisting the clergy and wardens to seek God’s direction for the church.

In my working life I was a primary school teacher, I worked in Customs & Excise and the Court Service; I have worked for a church, led a foodbank and been in administration in a night shelter. I therefore bring a good deal of experience to my role. I am now fully retired. I am no less busy, I just don’t get paid!

Outside of church I enjoy reading, knitting & crochet alongside other crafts, and a wide variety of music; and David and I like to cook for people, nip off on short trips and visiting our growing family.

SHIP CENTRE MANAGER

My name is Shirley Phillips, I'm married and have two children and four grandchildren. I've lived in Rainham most of my life. I became a Christian at school through Scripture Union classes, but I had never gone to church. I started going to Rainham Church when I was 18 years old, I was quite nervous to walk through the doors at first, but I've never looked back since. I now manage the Ship Centre, which is a café for the community of Rainham—a place for people to go and meet up with friends, and where everyone is welcome no matter their circumstances. We offer home cooked food, friendship, and support where it’s needed.

I really enjoy my job, it’s very fulfilling, and it's just a joy meeting so many lovely people each day. I really feel that I am where the Lord wants me to be.

YOUTH & SCHOOLS WORKER

Hi my name is Jay and I am the youth and school’s worker here at the Parish of Rainham with Wennington. God has called me to journey with the young people of Rainham and Wennington as they explore their faith and welcome Jesus into their lives. I am passionate about seeing these young people come to know Jesus and to be able to speak Jesus over them and watch God at work as they transform. Since joining the ministry team in early 2024, along with my wife Daniella and our children, this community has become a big part of our lives. We look forwarding to connecting with the young people in and out of the church.

ADMINISTRATOR

As Parish Administrator for Rainham and Wennington, Alan manages the church’s inter and cross-parish communications and media. He is responsible for the vast majority of the church’s graphic design. He also manages the bookings of Baptisms and Weddings for both communities, as well being PCC secretary for both. Alan is one of our worship leaders at Rainham Parish Church on the guitar. In his spare time he does archery, plays videogames, and is a published science fiction author and book blogger. He is married to Emma and they have two children.