People

Claire Alcock

Claire is a great juggler – ministry, motherhood and writing.

She used to be a teacher, then spent ten years bringing up three children and supporting Chris, her husband, in House Mastering at Shiplake College.

Claire was ordained in 2010 and her hobbies are cycling, music making, her cat (when it’s not going missing), social media and watching detective shows on the TV.

Claire is also a Deanery Vocations Adviser, working with people who are considering any kind of authorised ministry within the Church of England.

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 Chaplain to Reading University, and a member of the community at St John & St Stephen’s. Mark regularly preaches, and presides at Eucharist. He makes a nifty craft beer, bakes astonishing bread, knows almost everything and is generally a lovely person to have on your Facebook friends list.

Richard Croft

Richard has been worshipping at St John’s longer than he cares to remember…he loves long-distance walking and cycling, fighting weeds on his allotment and finding a bit of something edible in the gaps, Taizé, singing and woodwork. He is married to Rosemary, one of the churchwardens, and has two married children. He became an Licensed Lay Minister in 2008 and is trained in spiritual direction.

Jeremy Thake

Jeremy has been in Reading and at St. John and St. Stephen’s for 20 years, with Rachel and three daughters (before they grew up) having previously been in Nepal for 6 years.  He works (inconveniently in Bristol) as an engineer on tidal energy.  In spare time he enjoys walking, dinghy sailing, singing, 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.

Rosemary Croft

Rosemary came to Reading in 1981 and has worked as a GP locally as well as spending 12 years in Bangladesh working as a doctor. She is married to Richard and has 2 married children and 2 lovely grand-daughters. As well as being churchwarden, she maintains links with Bangladesh and runs the Traidcraft stall in church.

Tanya Penn

Tanya oversees the Cafe and is the Parish administrator.  You may see her bombing along on her bike to work, come wind, rain or shine!  She lives in Woodley with her husband, three grown up children and her dog.  In her spare time enjoys meals with friends and long walks.