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Clergy

Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church and St Mark’s
Revd Vicki Davies
07427186626

         

Our Readers

Readers are lay ministers of the Church. They share with our clergy in leading worship, preaching and teaching in our churches and elsewhere, and in caring for our church members and people who live in our parish. They can also officiate at funeral services.

Mr Keith Cheyney

We're sorry to say that Keith Cheyney died in May 2023.

In July 2019, Keith Cheyney retired and became a Reader Emeritus.
Keith has served as Reader at Christ Church and St Mark’s for 54 years. In the early years, his work was mainly at St Mark’s, but ever since a change of incumbent in the 1970s, he has ministered at both churches and elsewhere in the Parish.
St Mark’s church held an afternoon tea to say “thank you” to him for all his ministry here in Watford as our longest serving Reader.

Mrs Sue Pankhurst

We regret to inform you that Sue Pankhurst died suddenly on Tuesday Sept 10th 2019.

Sue was a brilliant colleague who wore her considerable learning and experience lightly, whether that was from her work as a physiotherapist or as a Church of England Reader. There was a lot there but she simply didn’t show it off. It was only if you were able to work with her that you discovered the depth of her knowledge and experience, as well as her skills with people whether one to one, or in leading worship.
Sue was a good leader but one able to lead by encouragement and with humility as well. It wasn’t about her but about God and the people she was serving. She worked hard too, whether in preparation or delivery.
Sue’s busy life included a strong commitment to the Talking Newspaper for the Blind - helping to record many editions over the years, using her skills in physiotherapy and in listening to people at the Peace Hospice, acting as chaplain at the Ambulance station, and supporting the work of Churches Together in North Watford and Garston for whom she was to have been moderator from later this year. Sue was also a busy mother and latterly grandmother.
Sue’s most public role was as a member of our team of Readers at Christ Church and St Mark’s, often leading worship or preaching. Sue put a lot of time into preparing sermons and her effort showed at its best in what was to be her last but perhaps best sermon on Children and Church.
Sue also ministered to the residents of Courtlands Lodge by taking communion to them every month. What wasn’t so public nor so easy to quantify was the precious time Sue spent listening to people and being alongside them during tough times.
Sue took a key role in launching Messy Church as a new initiative here. Sue was an important member of our planning team as well as taking her turn to lead and deliver Messy Church sessions.
She was also heavily involved with our children & families outreach project (Lift Off) from its beginnings seven years ago. Not content just to sit on a committee, Sue willingly joined the other volunteers who operate our children’s clubs. She was already well involved, but to help cover maternity leave Sue simply got stuck in and did extra sessions wherever someone was needed.
Sue’s calling as a Reader had led her to becoming Deanery Readers Advisor about two years ago. This meant supporting other Readers, interviewing people thinking about Reader ministry, raising the profile of Reader ministry and Sue had planned to go to every church in Watford deanery to preach about Reader ministry over the next 12 months.
Just two days before she died Sue preached a brilliant sermon on Children and Church, twice of course, at St Mark’s and at Christ Church. It was well prepared, clear and enthusiastic. This was Sue, ministering right to the end and that is how some of us at least will remember her. We will miss Sue but we will not let our sadness stop us continuing the work which was so close to her heart.

Churchwardens

C hurchwardens are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Parish. With the Parochial Church Council they are responsible for the business and financial aspects of parish life, and for the care and preservation of the church buildings and furnishings.

The Church Wardens
Christ Church & St Mark's Parish Office,
St Mark's Church,
Leggatts Way, Watford.
WD24 5NQ
ccandstmwatford@gmail.com
01923 681972

Claire Locke

Claire is the Children’s and Young Families' Outreach Worker for our parish and St Andrew’s.

Email - admin@liftoff.org.uk
Facebook page - www.facebook.com/liftoffchildrensactivities

Where to find our churches

Christ Church
St Albans Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD24 5BD

Map

Christ Church Directions

St Mark's Church
Leggatts Way
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD24 5NQ

 Map

St Mark's Directions

Parish Office .

Christ Church & St Mark's Parish Office,
St Mark's Church,
Leggatts Way, Watford.
WD24 5NQ
ccandstmwatford@gmail.com
Tel: 01923 681972

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