Who's who
Vicar: David Bird
Daytime phone number: 01604 634060Email: david@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual day off: Friday
David has been vicar of St Giles since 1997. He is married to Jennifer and they have 4 grown up boys. He is a member of the General Synod of the Church of England. He is interested in any sport, including snooker, (which is sometimes said not to be a sport) and still plays cricket, squash and tennis. His allotment is out of bounds to anyone except him and Jennifer and if you could find him on a day off you would have to be willing to help out with digging.
Assistant Curate: Marcus Gibbs
Areas of responsibility:
Daytime phone number: 01604 230360
Email: marcus@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual day off: Friday
Marcus was ordained deacon on 27th June 2010.
Assistant Curate–Third Age: Geoff Waters
Areas of responsibility: Pastoral Care and Evangelism with people aged over 50 in and around St Giles, Hymns of Praise Service, Health and Safety Coordinator.
Daytime phone number: 01604 230360
Email: geoff@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual day off: Friday
Geoff is married to Louise (who is an experienced early years practitioner now working full-time as mum to their two young daughters). Geoff’s first career was teaching Physics in a comprehensive school in Beckenham. Following three years training at Trinity College in Bristol, Geoff worked for Trinity Care Service and as pastoral assistant at Holy Trinity Hotwells Church in that City.
Geoff has led the ministry of St Giles with people in the 50 plus age group since 2002. In 2008 Geoff completed two years part-time study (including a special focus on the Christian care of older people living with dementia) at the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham leading to his being ordained deacon.
Geoff was ordained priest on 4th July 2009.
Associate Minister –Youth & Young Adults: Pete White
Area of responsibility: Youth Work (11-19’s); supports work with children & young adults
Daytime phone number: 01604 230360
Email: pete@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual day off: Thursday
Pete tries to pretend he’s younger than he is by hanging out with the young people of the church! Pete has been at St Giles for nearly as long as the Vicar; having previously worked in various youth work projects: secondary school, youth justice, club & detached work, homeless hostel. He is married to Nat and has two daughters. Pete enjoys reading, being with his family, fixing things at home, trying to keep fit by cycling everywhere, swimming, playing squash, sailing and reading some more.
Children and Family Minister: Cara Witheyman
Area of responsibility: Anything involving children under 13 and their families
Daytime phone number: 01604 230360
Email: cara@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual day off: Thursday
Cara joined St Giles in July 2006 leaving the beautiful south coast behind her. She qualified at Moorlands Bible College as a youth and Community worker. Cara will often be found in a coffee shop, shoe shop or any kind of shop for that matter and is well known for her “funky” footwear. If you want to get to know her better, free meals are welcomed as food is another passion. Since moving “up north” Cara enjoys going down south for holidays. In her spare time she enjoys knitting, card making, attempting to grow veg, and watching chick flicks and ‘24’. Cara finds it hard to say no to any new challenge and so now has no spare time at all!
Part-Time Children’s Worker: Sue Poole
Area of responsibility: Working with families and children under 8 from the church congregation. Co-ordinates the toddler group that meets on Tuesdays.
Daytime phone number: 01604 230360
Email: sue@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Sue mainly works on: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sue is married to Richard and has two girls, Joanna and Sophie. Everyone in Sue’s family owns a blue rabbit. Sue drives around in a little silver car with a variety of pink accessories; it is known as the ‘girlie-mobile’!
Parish Secretary/Administrator: Jill Salsbury
Area of responsibility: Running the church office, co-ordinating bookings for the centre and church, producing publicity, minute-taking for PCC and Executive Committees, supporting the clergy, staff and churchwardens
Daytime phone number: 01604 628623
Email: office@stgilesnorthampton.org.uk
Usual days off: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday
Jill joined St Giles in 2001. She is married to Steve and they both enjoy holidays walking (particularly by the sea, with their favourite destination being the Isles of Scilly) and watching Chelsea FC on TV. Jill also enjoys playing badminton, watching ‘24’ (usually with Children and Family Minister, Cara), eating good food (often cooked by Steve) and reading.