St Catherine's, Mile Cross

Hi, I’m Martin and I started at St Catherine’s in May 2017. I’m married to Rach and we have four children - Dorrie, Willow, Noah and Honey. I also have two grown-up daughters and a granddaughter. After studying for two years at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, I was ordained in June 2013 and served my curacy in the Tas Valley.  Before ordination, I worked as a Community Evangelist with Church Army in Bedfordshire. You can find out more about the work of Church army by Clicking here  Before that I was a machine operator for 15 years in engineering. I have a powerful conversion story and would love to share it with you, either in a group or down the pub with a pint.

I am an Evangelist and have a pioneering spirit, so I'm very keen to explore what church might look like for a new generation in the Mile Cross area.

I have lived in Mile Cross, and worshipped at St Catherine’s, for most of my life! I was married to my late husband John for 38 years and we have one daughter, Alison, who has now lived in London for some time. There is also our family dog (British Bulldog) named Harvey! Since my ordination, in July 2014, I continue to work part-time at Mecca Bingo (just opposite St Cath’s) as an Operations Manager! Having been called to ordained ministry in this community, that I love, is a great privilege!

Having  retired from full time ministry after 25 happy years, I am now equally happy in my church home at St Catherine’s. I have found out how true it is when people say ‘I don’t know how I had time to go to work!’I suspect that the truth is, everything takes longer to do!  I was brought up in Lincolnshire: my parents were farmers, and I always loved church and knew God, thanks to them. The first part of my life with my husband Sid  was spent in various places with the RAF in this country and abroad. We have two daughters and 3 grandchildren. We settled down here in Norwich 40 years ago, so we are certainly residents if not natives!

Before I was ordained I worked as a trainer for Sainsbury's and as a counsellor for a National charity. Now I have been ordained for nearly 30 years, working in Hellesdon, Earlham, Lakenham and  Sprowston. I feel hugely privileged to be part of a church family, and to know people at the happiest and saddest points in their lives. I also have enjoyed being in contact with schools and young people. Nowadays I am pleased to be able to help out in the church and community, and hope to do so as long as I am fit and able! Sid and I have always enjoyed travelling, and still do, no longer camping and caravanning we rely on others to drive!  In my own time, I like gardening,reading,  modern Line Dancing and enjoying our wonderful theatre here in Norwich.   

After a career in teaching in high schools in the North West, I was ordained and ministered in parishes in Manchester and other parts of the North West before moving to Durham and teaching at a theological college.  I moved to Norwich some years ago with my wife Judith and two sons Jonathan and Philip. I am now training Clergy and Readers in our Diocese and others in this region. St Catherine’s is my place of worship when I have ‘free – time’!!

I was born at Drayton Hall, which is now the TLC Church, and grew up in Hellesdon.  I have never moved far from home and now live in Thorpe Marriot, with my Husband Richard, who I met at St Cath’s. My working life was fairly varied, my last job being as a Funeral Arranger with Peter Taylor Funeral Services.  I retired in 2014, and for the last two years, I have been training to be a Licensed Lay Minister.  I completed my training this year, although I am continuing to study, and was licensed in September.  As I begin my Lay-Minister Ministry at St Cath’s, I am excited to see how it develops and where it takes me.

Hi,  I’m Bill and I have the privilege of serving St Catherine’s on the Church Warden Team along with Cathy and Caril.With my wife, I have lived in St Catherines parish (Hillmead) since 1971 although my wife Beryl has been a Mile Cross lass right from childhood. – (my roots lay in Sussex.) I am retired (2003) having spent my working life in the RAF(15 years)  and the remainder with Crane Fruehauf Ltd.

I have been a member of St Catherines congregation since the mid 70’s, and have held several serving posts during that time, I am also a “Lay” Reader at present (Licensed in 1995)  though I now only preach a few times a year. I have always found St Catherines to be a lovely church to worship in, with a friendly and welcoming congregation.

Hello I'm Julie and I am the Named person for safeguarding at St Catherine's Church.                            I have lived in Hellesdon and Norwich all my life. I am married and have three children and four grandchildren. I have worked as a student nurse, teaching assistant, higher level teaching assistant and nursery practitioner. I have worshipped at several churches and have been at St Catherine's since about 2006.

Hi, I’m Kathy Amis. I was born in Glasgow and although I haven’t lived there for nearly 50 years I still retain my proud Scottishness and my accent. Married for 46 years to my late husband Mike we had two boys and one girl and now have seven grandchildren. I’ve attended St Catherine’s for 21 years. On 29 July 2019, I was commissioned as an AWA. My life is busy and filled with granny duties, Church and supporting my beloved Norwich City FC. I’m excited to see what plans  God has for my life!

Authorised Worship Assistant

I was born in the Midlands and moved to Norwich when I was 3 and went to St Thomas’s Sunday School. When I was at work in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital I was taken along to Holy Trinity Norwich and whilst  I was there I became a Christian.Through a mutual friend I met my wife and moved to St Catherine’s 30+ years ago. I have done varying roles at St Catherine’s including church warden for 6yrs now I am the church’s representative on the Deanery Synod and in 2018 I was commissioned as an AWA (Authorised Worship Assistant).  I am at present a volunteer for Age Uk Norfolk working in their Information and Advice department. 

I grew up near Windsor in Berkshire and moved to Norwich when I married in 1982.I have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. As well as being the Verger, I am Editor of the parish magazine Outreach, and for a few years now I have been runnning our toddler group Tot Stop.I am a member of the worship group and also prepare services on the computer for Sundays and other occasions.  I love dogs and camping and try and combine the two as frequently as possible.