Who’s Who at St Michael’s

St Michael’s is a church where we all have a part to play

So really everyone should be listed here. Every part of the body is as vital as every other. We aim to discover and develop our individual gifts and abilities, and put them to the best possible use together through discipleship, outreach and serving the community.

These are the people that enable us all to play our part…

Clergy of St Michael’s

Revd Canon Simon Jones
Rector
I love leading at St Michael’s. I love to be in a Church that welcomes new people, that helps each other to follow Jesus more closely, and serves the local community. That’s my passion and our vision as a Church. Come and be a part of it! Simon leads the Core Leadership and Ministry Heads teams.
Revd Tom Benyon
Associate Vicar
I am drawn to the pastoral and teaching aspects of church life. I am particularly passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with God and deepen their prayer lives. As a creative type, I love seeing the visual and performing arts used in church. I’m also a keen storyteller. Tom is part of the Core Leadership and Ministry Heads Teams.
Revd Canon Julie Bradley
Associate Minister (Retired)
I love the people side of church and community. I enjoy the opportunity to connect with some of the youngestand the oldest . But I love every age in-between as well, working together with a great many others to try and provide pastoral ministry to people in every season of life. Julie is now retired from full-time ministry and has stepped back from the Core Leadership Team. She retains oversight of Over 65's Ministry.
Ellie Huggins
Curate
It is with great joy that I have joined the team as curate following my ordination in July 2022. Passionate about teaching and seeing people encounter the life-transforming presence of Jesus, I am excited for all that God has in store in the years to come and am looking forward to getting to know the family here at St Michael’s. Ellie is currently on maternity leave. Ellie is part of the Core Leadership Team and Ministry Heads Team.

If you would like to get in touch then please ring the Church Office on 0117 9692486
or use our Contact Page to send us an email

Churchwardens

In the Anglican Church, a churchwarden is the person who has been chosen by a congregation to help the vicar of a parish with administration and other duties.

Dave Pilch
Church Warden
Mike Watkivs
Church Warden
I like being part of a church which has a wide range of services to cater for different ages and styles of worship. It is also important to me that we as a church are serving the community around us through activities such as the Coffee Shop, youth work, the Community Library, Over 65s lunch to name but a few. You may well see my wife Jane and I out and about on our tandem. Mike is part of the Core Leadership Team and Ministry Heads Team.

Lay Ministers

Licensed lay ministries represent the church in a public, representative or leadership role.

Richard Willerton
Licensed Lay Minister
As a Licenced Lay Minister, I enjoy being part of the team who lead and preach at Sunday services. I play guitar in a couple of the worship teams. In 2019, I took over as leader of one of the Life Groups. If you have any questions about the wider Church of England, feel free to ask me.
Julie Hobbs
Licensed Lay Minister
I love being part of a Church that has diversity in worship styles, reflecting the rich tapestry that is the Church of England. It is a real joy for me to be able to serve our Lord in this place, especially having the opportunity to be with others and to support them through life’s difficulties whatever they may be. I love also being part of a church family where people do encourage each other as they grow in faith. It is a privilege, as an LLM, to be a part of this aspect of Church by preaching and leading services and engaging in other forms of teaching and training.
John Spens
Licensed Lay Minister
Poppy and I love worshipping at St Michael’s. We moved to Bristol in 2017 and we settled in so quickly thanks to the very warm welcome we received from everyone St Michael’s. Such a good spread of ages at the services from the youngest to the oldest. Plus great teaching and worship. After a few months of finding our feet in a new church, we soon found various areas of church life where we can play an active part.
Chris Perkins
Licensed Lay Minister
I was first licensed in 1998 originally to a large city centre church and then for a few years to a church in Barton Hill. Helen my wife and I enjoy the freedom in worship that there is at St Michaels, and the variety of worship styles that it encompasses from the traditional morning service to the contemporary celebrations. It is great to be part of a body of believers at many different ages and stages of their walk with Jesus. Our life adventure is to finish our walk with Jesus well and to encourage others to do the same.

Children, Youth & Students

Young people are at the Heart of St Michael’s. Our dedicated team is supported by volunteers and strives to engage with young people of all ages, helping them to grown in their faith.

Sam Clarke
Youth Minister
I love to see young people meet with God whether through worship, reading the Bible or through meeting together! St Mike’s holds a special place in my heart as it was the place I met and married my wife, Rachel. I’ve had four years away training with SWYM (South West Youth Ministries) at a church in Portishead and I am really excited to be back! I love nothing better than going on a walk with Rachel and my camera, capturing some of God’s awesome creation.
Iain Nash
Children & Families’ Minister
I am passionate about journeying with children and families as they discover God for themselves by providing opportunities to meet with Jesus through friendship, conversation, encouragement and fun. I moved back to my hometown of Bristol in 2022 with my wife, Lydia and my two young sons after 7 years living in Aylesbury. I went to school and worked in Stoke Gifford so I am very excited God has brought me back into this area, working at St. Mike’s.
Rachel Baker
Worship Pastor and Students & Young Adults Worker
I am always excited to see God moving in the lives of young people and young adults and it’s a privilege to be able to encourage them in their faith and help them feel welcome at Church! I also love worshipping God with music and singing, both in Church and on my own at home, and it’s a blessing to be able to serve in the worship team at St Michael’s. In my free time I enjoy baking, sewing and going for long walks.

If you would like to get in touch then please ring the Church Office on 0117 9692486
or use our Contact Page to send us an email

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a vital part of St Michael’s. We want everyone to feel safe and be safe.

Rose Taylor
Parish Safeguarding Officer (Children)
Adult Safeguarding
Parish Safeguarding Officer (Adults at Risk)
currently vacant

If you would like to get in touch then please ring the Church Office on 0117 9692486
or use our Contact Page to send us an email

Administration, Finance and Operations

Laura Thomas
Church Administration and Communications Manager
I enjoy being part of making things happen here and love the diversity of what goes on, alongside the unity we have in Christ. I have a passion for singing, digital communications, and advocating for single people in church.
Andy Mead
Director of Operations
My family and I came to St Michael’s in September 2016 and I loved it so much I ended up working here! I am part of the team that hire out our wonderful facilities and look after the clients during their time with us. I really enjoy working closely with people from our local community and feel blessed to be in a position to be able to do thi
Jackie Jones
Finance Manager
Although I live and worship in Frampton Cotterell, I became involved with St Michaels when my brother and family joined a few year’s ago. When my brother started working as the Events Manager, I attended various events which had been organised. I started working here myself in June 2019 as Finance Assistant and took on the role of Finance Manager in October 2020. I love the Heart of the Community ethos and vision of the church and that all ages and backgrounds are welcomed here. I also love that I get to work with my brother!
Martin Roach
PCC Treasurer
My wife Hazel & I moved to the area in 2018 and were warmly welcomed at St Michael’s on our first Sunday. We have since enjoyed being part of the church community and getting involved in various areas of church life and ministry. I count it a great privilege to serve the church in the Treasurer role, with a fabulous financial support team working alongside me!
Jacob Clothier
Events Co-ordinator
I love the sense of community here at St Michael’s. I have been a church member here for several years before I started working here through the New Wine Discipleship Year. I loved it so much after the year, I decided to carry on working here! I work with the events team to try and think of unique ways to bring the church into the community.
Caroline Murphy
Personal Assistant and Events Support
I have been worshipping at St Michael’s since I moved here in 2006. As PA, I’m involved in liaising with clergy and lay ministers, organising meetings and events. I’m a big sports fan and love to dance, read, eat out, and travel in my spare time.
Chris Smith
Buildings, Facilities and Technical Services Manager
I began working for St Michaels in 2019, however, I have been looking after all things IT since I was a teenager. I am passionate about using technology to make our lives better and to further the work of the Church. Having watched our campus increase from a small village hall to the conference-grade facility we now have, I am enjoying getting stuck in with ongoing maintenance and improvements to the buildings, whilst eagerly anticipating the opportunities for future expansion.

Ordinands – studying at Trinity College and on placement with us

David Huggins
Catriona Rawlins

South West Youth Ministries Students on placement with us

Travis Williams
Naomi Elkerton

If you would like to get in touch then please ring the Church Office on 0117 9692486
or use our Contact Page to send us an email