Meet the Team
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I was born in Moseley, Birmingham, into a large Roman Catholic family of Irish origins. I attended Roman Catholic Primary and Comprehensive Schools, and worshipped each week at St.Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Chasetown, until I was 18 years old. I became involved with Christ Church, Gentleshaw when I was 18, and was subsequently accepted into the Church of England. I then trained as a Lay Reader, and ministered within the Church in this capacity for 18 years. During this period I recognised a calling to ordained ministry, and spent a number of years discerning God’s call on my life. I went off to a selection conference, was recommended for training in 2007, completed an Ordination Course and was Ordained Deacon in 2009, and Ordained Priest in 2010. I served my curacy at Christ Church Gentleshaw as a self supporting priest (voluntary un-paid) I was appointed Interim Minister, following The Rev’d Martin Butt’s retirement as Priest-in-Charge. During a two and a half year period as Interim Minister, while The Diocese of Lichfield looked at the deployment of Clergy in the Burntwood area, I progressed through the process of transfer to Stipendiary (Paid) Ministry. Following a second set of selection interviews, my application to transfer was accepted. The Post of Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church Gentleshaw and St Bartholomew Farewell was advertised, I applied for the post, was interviewed and subsequently appointed. I was then licenced by The Bishop of Wolverhampton The Right Rev’d Clive Gregory on the 1st of December 2015, the post now being a part time post of two days and a Sunday each week. When not wearing my ‘Dog Collar’ I spend three days a week working for a local Veterinary Practice – Pool House Veterinary Hospital. I have worked for Pool House for over 25 years, fulfilling a number of varying roles. Once ordained, I stepped down from the role of ‘Accounts Manager’ and became an ‘Insurance Claim Consultant’ and ‘Pharmaceutical Manager’. I am based at the Equine site. My hobbies include looking after my many and varied pets, walking, playing guitar.
Profile to follow
Profile to follow
Carol Shelley - Lay Reader & P.C.C Secretary Having grown up in London I made my way to the Midlands to train as a teacher, in Birmingham. I met and married a "Shropshire Lad"; and the rest as they say is history. I worked as a teacher for thirty three years (time out having my own two children and part time for five years at the end of my career); loving almost every minute of it. I began as a High School Art teacher; moved to Middle School and was "reorganised" into Primary; only to end back in Middle School education. The year I retired saw me make the commitment I had considered for some time, to take the two year training course to become a Licensed Reader in the Anglican Church. In September 2008 I was licensed at Lichfield Cathedral, and am part of the worship team for Christ Church Gentleshaw and St Bartholomew Farewell. My personal indulgences are cooking, travel, theatre, music and reading; although quite a lot of time is given over to various crafts some of which I am able to use as part of my life in faith. I have been blessed with a wonderful marriage, two great adult children and their partners, and four delightful grandchildren. My only disappointment is that my daughter, her husband and their two children live on the west coast of America. My faith life has had its ups and downs; but the best moment I have experienced was when I fully understood for the first time that God loves me as I am; and that trusting in him, with the guidance of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit can only make every step through life more fulfilling. Fran Powis - Lay Reader
Gary Powis - Reader Emeritus & Webmaster
My parents, Ken and Margaret Topping, moved to Cannock Wood in 1963 so I partly grew up in the village. I went to Sunday School at Christchurch Gentleshaw and was confirmed from here. At the age of 21 I left the village to work in various parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Jersey as a Hotel Receptionist and returned to the area in 1978. I returned to Gentleshaw Church following the Christenings of my two daughters and have lived in Bradwell Lane since 1987. Both girls were married in this Church and their own children baptised here. For a few years I was Brown Owl at Gentleshaw Brownies and for the last 4 years I have been the Booking Secretary for the Village Hall. I belong to the village W.I. and look after the accounts for Cannock Wood & Gentleshaw Welfare Association. I have been involved with Messy Church from the beginning and have taken great pleasure in seeing the children return time after time and in welcoming new ones. Alan Blank - Churchwarden Profile to follow
We moved to Cannock Wood in 1972, all three children being baptised at Christ Church Gentleshaw. In 2004 both Diane and I became regular members of the Christ Church family resuming the practice of the faith in which we were raised. Ann Gray - Electoral Roll Secretary & Magazine Editor I spent my childhood in Birmingham and moved to Staffordshire in 1965. I started my working life as a Nursery Nurse and later retrained for Secretarial work. I have lived in Burntwood for 42 years and have been a member of Gentleshaw Church since 1994. I am a member of the PCC and also publish the Gentleshaw and Farewell Parish Magazine. My hobbies are reading, crafts, gardening and I also enjoy walking my German Shepherd ‘Cass’.
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Rev Lynn McKeon - Priest in Charge of Gentleshaw and Farewell parishes.
Rev Bill Hassall - Retired Priest
Rev Cliff Latimer - Retired Priest
Gary and I moved to this area the day we married 40 years ago and have been worshipping at Christ Church since our eldest son was baptised here in 1980. Our second son was born in 1982 and we moved into Cannock Wood in November 1983.
Marion Tait - Churchwarden & Messy Church Co-ordinator
I was born in 1947, spending my early years in Willenhall attending Sunday School at Walsall Road Methodist Church and St. Anne’s Church. I was baptised, confirmed and sang in the choir for some 6 years at St Anne’s. In 1969, I married Diane at All Saints Church, Wolverhampton and we were blessed with our children Jonathan, Simon, and Stephanie.