People

Claire Alcock

Claire used to be a primary school teacher then spent ten years bringing up a family of three, before getting ordained in 2010. She spent nine years in rural ministry before joining St John and Stephen’s in 2019.  She is also a vocations advisor, spiritual director and a tutor on the Oxford Diocese preaching course. Her hobbies include gardening, Agatha Christie and cats.

Christine Bainbridge

Christine was a vicar in South East London and retired to Reading with her husband Richard (also a vicar) to be closer to family.  She found St John’s and St Stephen’s very welcoming, not only to her but to children and a wide cross section of our neighbourhood.  She loves the music and the way we gather in a circle to receive Communion.  She is enriched by the links we have with the wider church through members from different parts of the world, especially the Indian sub-continent and Africa.

Mark Laynesmith

Mark is the Anglican Chaplain at Reading University and has been a member of the community at St John & St Stephen’s since 2005. He regularly preaches and presides at Eucharist, occasionally leads Godly Play, and runs the popular Café Théologique public talks in town. He is married to Jo, the Parish Centre Manager, and they have two teenage children. His hobbies include medieval church history (he’s writing a book on St Alban), beer-brewing and baking. He is also a qualified spiritual director.

Richard Croft

I have been worshipping at St John’s longer than I care to remember…I love long-distance walking and cycling, fighting weeds on my allotment, Taizé, singing and woodwork. I am married to Rosemary, have two married children and three delightful grandchildren. I became a Licensed Lay Minister in 2008 and am a spiritual director.

Jeremy Thake

Jeremy joined St. John and St. Stephen’s after moving to Reading in 1998, having returned to UK from working in Nepal for 6 years. He is married to Rachel, and has three adult daughters and three granddaughters. He has now retired from a career as an engineer working on tidal energy. In spare time he enjoys walking, dinghy sailing, singing, volunteering with Reading Hydro, and time with family.

Hamish Bruce

Hamish has been at St John’s for almost twenty years. He helps to lead worship with others in the congregation, including his wife Sue. He loves playing almost any instrument you put in front of him (excluding the bagpipes) and has two fairly grown-up children.

Hamish has worked in communications and publishing and is currently learning and development manager with United Bible Societies.

Ian Maynard

Ian has been a member of St John & St Stephen’s for over 25 years, involved in various roles including being in the choir, youth group leader as well as taking on various roles as a volunteer for St John & St Stephen’s Contact Centre. He is now in his third year as a churchwarden.

Ian is married to Elaine, and enjoys various sports and a wide range of music, films and theatre, but he can’t get his head round ballet.

Sue Bruce

Sue has lived in Reading since 2000 and worked as a primary school teacher in local schools until last year. She is married to Hamish and they have 2 adult sons. She enjoys playing piano, accordion and is learning the harp and together with Hamish helps to lead worship in church. She likes swimming, walking, gardening, reading, going to live music gigs and spending time with family and friends.

Jo Laynesmith

Jo has been part of the congregation since 2005 and became the Parish Administrator in October 2022. She also heads up the St John’s EcoChurch team, leads Godly Play once a month, and is the Reading Deanery Environment Lead. She is married to Mark (the Anglican Chaplain at the University) and they have two teenage children. Before becoming a mother, Jo taught medieval history and she still writes about queens, noblewomen and the Wars of the Roses.  She enjoys walks, detective stories and exploring castles.