I have been married to Revd Chris for nearly 30 years’ and we have four beautiful grown-up children and our wonderful dog Bobby. My life has been beautiful and interesting. Coming from a theatre family, I became a professional actor, who performed in many ‘musical theatre’ shows, pantos, concerts, and some TV commercials. I counted myself very fortunate to ‘job along’ in my ideal profession. Though I had a belief in God as a child and went to church with my dad and my three brothers, I lost that faith as I became a teenager and young adult. I did my own thing, and God didn’t pay a part. However, I was clearly being pursued by his Holy Spirit.
Years later during one of the most challenging points in my life (I suffered a breakdown when having to commute long distance into a West End Show in London whilst having two young children), the love of Jesus Christ came rushing back into my despair and emptiness. I have never looked back. I was healed and forgiven.
My calling to ordained ministry took over 20 years to materialise after that encounter and included painful push backs. I have a big heart for everyone and desire others to encounter the life-giving presence of God the Holy Spirit: children, women and men; in particular, those who feel alone, ill, side-lined, unaccepted and joyless. From early childhood, I was drawn to other children who seemed to be on the edge and sidelined. By that I mean, from different ethnic groups, other faith groups or none, some who were neglected in the family setting, some who were thought of as ‘difficult to teach’, misunderstood.
At a young age I felt that God had laid on my heart the very broken, the economically poor, and those of other nations. This calling never left me, even when I rubbed alongside ‘the many’ who seemed to have life all worked out, who looked beautiful, yet hid behind masks. I always found something quite beautiful in those who were traumatised, under-valued, lonely, widowed, those how had addictions. I saw them as God’s forgotten children. Encountering them sparked radical love and welcome in me, and the desire to introduce to them our Lord Jesus Christ who wants to be in relationship with them, who heals and forgives.
My calling is to reach out and connect with the lost, the least and lonely, and it’s wonderful to see how God seems to bless this at Holy Trinity Barkingside and its community. I am a Gatherer and Messenger who loves to share the Good News of Jesus Christ; who speaks out messages, pictures and visions to encourage, strengthen and comfort the broken. It’s on my heart to empower and teach others to move in the power of the Spirit, and to pursue healing ministry.
