Our ministry team

Rev'd Katie de Bourcier, Team Rector

I'm Katie, the lead minister at St Andrew's Church, Halstead. I also oversee the wider Halstead Area Team of churches, which is comprised of Halstead and nine surrounding village parishes.

I was ordained in 2012 after 17 years working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence, based in London and in Essex. I spent my curacy (my first post as an ordained minister) in Great Baddow in Chelmsford. I was delighted in 2015 to be appointed to this role in Halstead, as I had previously lived in Braintree and so north Essex feels very much like home territory to me.

I love being at St Andrew’s because it’s a church community made up of many different people, at different stages of their journey of faith, seeking to care for each other and to grow closer to God. I am energised by the fact that as a church we have a vision to reach out to all in our town, showing Jesus’ love in all the ways that we can. I value the diversity of our worship styles, and I enjoy the fun we have together.

Beyond my ministerial role, I love to spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the outdoors – and whenever I get the chance I head off to the stables to ride my dressage horse, Toby.

You can contact me at halsteadrector@gmail.com or on 01787 478471 to find out more about the Christian faith; to enquire about our services; or – well, people contact me about almost anything, so whatever your question, feel free to get in touch.

 

Rev'd Jo Parrott, Assistant Curate

My name is Jo and my family and I arrived in Halstead in summer 2019.  We had moved from Bristol where I had been at theological college training for ordination.  I was ordained deacon in September 2019 and took up the position of Assistant Curate at St. Andrews.  It’s wonderful to serve alongside Rev. Katie, Rev. Beverley before she moved on, the lay team at St. Andrews and the wider Halstead Area Team.

I also have the huge privilege of working on The Gateway Project with Rachael Simpson, our outreach worker and a team of prayer warriors who were here way before I ever was and without whom it wouldn’t be happening!  Our aim is to love the community of Halstead and share the love of Jesus through action, sharing story and providing opportunity to ask questions and explore what faith is about.   We strive to reach those particularly, who wouldn’t consider ‘traditional church’ an option for them.

In life pre-ordination, I was a Montessori nursery teacher for a Community Interest Company in Harwich and then a Children and Families Worker at my home church in Colchester.  Working with children and communicating God’s love, acceptance and belonging to them, especially within the life of the wider church remains a huge passion.

I am loving getting to know people in Halstead and grow as a disciple of Jesus and now, as a priest.  I can’t wait to get to know you more, learn from you and share with you.

You can contact me on 01787 584093 or halsteadcuratejop@gmail.com for anything!  Chats, enquiries, questions, prayer requests or simply a friendly ear.  We are here for you.

 

Rev'd Canon David Ainge, Retired Priest

I’m David, a relative newcomer to St Andrew’s Church, Halstead. In July 2013 I retired after 40 years in ordained ministry in the Church of England, most of which was based in this Diocese of Chelmsford. My wife, Jay, and I moved into our current home in Halstead, and we joined the congregation of St Andrew’s. I conduct occasional Sunday and Thursday services, and generally help as requested.

Having been freed of the administrative duties of running a parish, I delight in being part of various local community groups, including Halstead & District Choral Society, Halstead U3A Group and the Rotary Club of Halstead. There would probably be more clubs to add to this list, but the good Lord has only put seven days in my week!

Jay, who has her own list of local community groups that fill her time, and I are currently 2-days per week child-minders of our 2 year-old granddaughter. What a joy! How exhausting! But we wouldn’t miss it for the world.

It’s great to be part of the ministry team at St Andrew’s and in nearby churches.  It’s best to contact me through the Parish Office halsteadparish@gmail.com

 

 Rachael Simpson, Community Outreach Worker

I'm Rachael Simpson, Community Outreach Worker for St Andrews and the Gateway Project; I’m delighted to be working with our Revd Jo, Revd Katie and with the wider Halstead team.

I came to faith through a Christian school friend who invited me to stay with her one weekend and we attended a Billy Graham event; 14 years old I walked down the stadium steps and gave my life to Jesus, on my return from the weekend I told my parents who were astounded, they did not have a faith.  My walk with the Lord lay somewhat dormant from then until I left home to take up a role in the Middle East.  Between the ages of 14 until 33 my life felt God-less and at times I reflected on whether that encounter with Jesus at Bristol Stadium was ‘real’; now looking back I know He had His hand on me throughout.  I married, became pregnant and I met a lady in hospital whilst I had my son and she hers and we struck up a rapport as we got to grips with motherhood.  It was a year later when my abusive marriage broke down and I turned up at a Baptist Church in Andover and that lady from the hospital was there in the mother and toddler group, we rekindled our friendship and my Christian life began to take more shape.  I became a regular church goer and provided support to the mother and child gatherings and events of the church.  I relocated to Yorkshire with my work for the Ministry of Defence and I sought another church where I undertook an Alpha course, did Bible study and became part of a thriving church family.  When I was feeling very settled I gained promotion for a role in Essex; it was a hard decision to leave Yorkshire and I prayed with the Pastor and my church family feeling the Lord was leading me somewhere.

The Lord guided me to Bocking and the following year I met my now husband Andy and we married at St Mary’s in Bocking.  We moved to Halstead in 2017 where I have enjoyed worshiping at St Andrews and Crossways churches.  I look forward to all that lies ahead and all that I can do to serve the church and community.

You can contact me on 07485 426007 or halsteadoutreach@gmail.com for support in times of need, to find out more about the Christian faith, or to find out more about what's on at St Andrew's and the Gateway Project.

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