Staff & Officers

Vicar

01923 772627

Revd Deborah Snowball became our Vicar in October 2007.

Before Ordination in June 2004, Deborah worked as a teacher in London and Bedfordshire - with music as her specialist subject when teaching in a busy Primary School, but also working with children with Special Educational Needs in a Middle School.

As a keen musician, Deborah plays a variety of instruments as well as enjoying singing. Other hobbies cross a variety of spheres - including tap dancing!

Deborah has been a member of the Diocesan Initiatives in Spirituality Working Party for the Diocese of St Albans for several years and regularly leads Quiet Days and Retreats as well as working as a Spiritual Director. Before arriving in Rickmansworth, Deborah was Curate at Great St Mary's, Sawbridgeworth.

Please note that Deborah's day off is Friday.

Methodist Minister

01923 774011

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Deacon Phil Osborne joined St Mary’s in 2004 in a probationary role and was ordained as a full Deacon on 25 June 2006.

Phil looks after the pastoral concerns of the Methodist members of the parish and plays an important role in many of the services which unite Methodists and Anglicans as they learn to know and understand each other's traditions and ways of worship better.

Phil is also responsible for two other Methodist churches in the area. He works closely with children and teachers at St Mary’s C of E School, in particular with the J-Club, an after-school club.

Phil is married to Helen and has three children, Elijah, Ben and Katrina.

Please note that Phil’s day off is Tuesday.

Reader

01923 776109

Michael Baker has been Reader at St Mary’s for more than 10 years.

A Reader is someone from any background who feels a call to serve God by preaching and teaching without taking Orders as a priest or deacon. After training and admission, they have their Bishop’s licence to preach, teach, lead worship and assist as directed by their parish priest. This may include taking funeral services and visiting those unwell in hospital or at home, as well as helping out at other churches as necessary.

Michael, a retired lawyer, is married to Beryl who is also an active and committed member of our community at St Mary’s. They have three grown-up daughters and one grandchild.

Please note that Michael's day off is Wednesday.

Our churchwardens play a key role in the smooth running of the church. They are responsible for the business and finances of St Mary’s and look after the fabric (the building, contents and grounds) of the church. The churchwardens are elected each year.

01923 775908

Buzz Coster has been worshipping at St Mary’s all her life and has been a Churchwarden at St Mary’s since 2004. Buzz works for the NHS as Marketing Manager at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood. Buzz is married to Gary.

01923 223613

John Glidden was elected as a Churchwarden in 2009. A few years ago, John took the opportunity to 'reinvent' himself, retraining as a therapy radiographer. He now works at the Cancer Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital. John is married to Roseanne.

01923 772809

John Hill has been Churchwarden since 2005 and has a long association with St Mary’s Church, going back nearly 30 years. John is married to Suzanne and they have two grown-up daughters Karen and Sara and four grand-daughters.

St Mary’s has four church stewards. They are elected into office at the annual Methodist Church Council meeting. They play a key role within our Methodist congregation and are responsible for maintaining a link with the Methodist church in general.

01923 775890	Gillian Baker has been a church steward at St Mary’s for approximately ten years and is also a key member of the House Groups who carry out Bible study together. Gillian is a retired teacher and has three grown-up children and four grand children.
01923 778001	Christine Butler has been a church steward at St Mary’s for about 15 years. She is married to Michael and they have three grown-up children and four grand children.
01923 237248	Derek Day has been a church steward at St Mary’s for 20 years and is also a member of the Fabric Committee. Derek is the Senior Steward and works closely with the three Churchwardens. Derek is retired and married to Jennett. They have two grown-up daughters.
01923 282927	Julie Smethurst has been a church steward at St Mary’s for more than 20 years, is a member of the Fabric Committee and organises the flowers rota to ensure our church is decorated with floral displays. Julie, who runs a bed and breakfast in Chorleywood, is married to Jack and they have four grown-up children and 10 grand children.

Parish Secretary

01923 721002

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Lindsay Campbell is responsible for the administrative day to day running of the church. If you would like to be married at St Mary’s or have your child baptised here, then please contact Lindsay who can put your information in the diary and direct you to the relevant contacts.

The Parish Secretary makes sure the church literature is up to date, including information about services. She also updates the electoral roll and informs the local press about local service times.

Lindsay is married to Iain, chairman of the Fabric Committee, and they have two children.

Organist

01923 718561

Our organist Andrew Sykes plays at most of our services and also for weddings, funerals and baptisms.

Andrew, who has been playing the organ for 40 years, also gives organ, piano and harpsichord recitals. Look out for details in our parish magazine, LINK, and weekly pew sheet.