People

Youth Minister

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic youth minister to join our vibrant church and help us develop an overview of youth work at St John and St Stephen’s as well as work with our partners, St John’s CE Primary (year 6 school leavers) and with Reading College and RE Inspired.

For more information download the job description and application form.

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.

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.

Liz Casson-Smith

Liz has lived in the Reading area for most of her life apart from a couple of years working with YWAM. She is married to Mark and has three grown up children, two of whom are also married. In her spare time she loves to bake for her family and friends and enjoys walking and travelling to Italy with her husband.