The Very Revd Jamie Allen

Dean

Tena koutou katoa

I was called to St Mary's during 2009 as Vicar, and was then installed as Dean on Saturday 6th March 2010; the day that the Church of St Mary, New Plymouth, became the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary. 

I’m married to Suzy, and we have four children: Danii, Carrie, Katy and Roxy; plus dogs, chickens and an elderly Siamese cat...

It is a great privilege, through God's grace, to lead the team that God has called to care for the newest Cathedral community in New Zealand.  It is our vocation to hold special and cherished care for our church family - our local parish, our city and its residents - while also being called to support the ministry of the Bishop of Taranaki - as the Mother Church in the Taranaki Bishopric. We are listening attentively so that we may be a place of sanctuary, welcome, celebration and lament for all, and a base for transformative outreach – promoting justice and truth.

The daily prayer in which we share (8.30am, Midday and 5.30pm) is the heartbeat of a living faith that shapes and changes the lives of ordinary people. 

I look forward to welcoming you to New Zealand's Oldest Stone Church, and Newest Cathedral !

Suzy Allen

Sunday Family Worker

My role as Sunday Family Worker is to co-ordinate the smooth running of our Sunday school and other activities related to the children who make up the Church Family each week. During the week, I will spend time planning activities and co-ordinating a team of volunteers to run them on a Sunday morning. In conjunction with the Ministry Team I will also plan the children’s involvement in our Family Services, and in time, investigate offering some further activities for our Church Family children. With the support of the Church and the help of a volunteer team, our Church family children will know that we all care about them and that, most of all, God cares for them and is always there for them.

The Revd Annie Baigent

Vocational Deacon

In her introduction Reverend Gloria Williams raises the question of what vocational deacons do? The team of three at Taranaki Cathedral include, Gloria, myself, and Graeme.  Those of us who have been around the Anglican church for a while will have met deacons who were doing a curacy before becoming a priest.  This is known as the transitional diaconate.  The vocational diaconate differs.  We are not ‘en route’ to the priesthood with its call of service to the faith community.  Instead we remind the faith community of its vocation of service to the broader community. 

I am married to Neill, Mum to Harry, step–mum to Michael, James and Andrew and daughter of the late Kathleen and Reverend Kempster Baigent.  Born in the Waikato, I have had the privilege of living in many remarkable communities in New Zealand and overseas.  However the Taranaki parks, walks and great community events lured me back to the region of my ancestors.  I was ordained as a vocational deacon in 2004, and am also an occupational therapist.  I have recently  joined  the ministry team at St Mary’s.  You’ll mostly see me at Sunday morning services and participating in family ministry alongside Katy Bassett.  It’s exciting to see the vision of being Christ to the community which is enfleshed daily in this ministry.

Katy Bassett

Family Worker

I’m Katy and I’ve been the Outreach Family Worker at St Mary’s for three years. On Monday mornings 20 families attend our Mainly Music group and on Wednesdays I run a small playgroup. Every weekday during term time 15 children attend our after-school programme; in the holidays we run a holiday programme. An emergency food pantry and clothing bank helps us minister to families in need.

I moved to New Zealand from Belfast 18 years ago to work as a diversional therapist, a job I’ve since left. Last year I began study towards a post-graduate diploma in counselling. The church needs to care for children who live with abuse and neglect: I firmly believe that is part of its community role. Everyone can help from the ladies who bring in knitting to the people who cook for our after-school programme. I’m about to undergo child protection training through the Strands NZ Anglican-based course.

I am a mother and a grandmother.

The Revd Bruno Egli

Assistant Priest

 I am married to Kathi; we have one Son Peter and three grandchildren.

 I had an adventurous mind making me want to travel. Left my native Switzerland aged 22 years. Some 4 years later at a family church camp the presence of the Lord Jesus became so real that my life started to change. This brought Kathi and me closer to each other, as I learned to walk with the Lord. Eventually the Lord impressed on us to make a new start and we moved from South Africa to New Zealand in 1975. Two years later found us at St John’s Theological College in Auckland, ordained in 1980. We have served the Methodist Church in Richmond (Nelson), the Cooperating Parish in Bell Block, then the Hastings and Havelock North Methodist Parish. Some dramatic events in the late 1999 brought some major changes; we came back to New Plymouth to be closer to our son and his family. To support ourselves I became a funeral director until my retirement. Some dialogue took place with Bishop Phillip and with his support and encouragement was ordained Anglican Priest at St Mary’s Cathedral in 2005 first as assistant Priest at St Chad’s West New Plymouth. I have a strong faith and belief in life beyond death and have a ministry in bereavement support, and Rest Home Ministry, and am excited to be on the cathedral ministry team, serving as an assistant priest.

Craig Gray

Cleaner/Maintenance

Craig was intrigued by the history of St Marys - so when a job came up to work inside the old building he applied. Six months on he works as the Cathedral cleaner, carrying out a range of duties from vacuum cleaning to helping move furniture. He fits his 10 hours a week around another contract with Taranaki Associated Cleaners, which means he notches up between 45-50 hours a week. In the mornings he's based at Fitzroy Engineering. He heads back to work later in the day, working in a variety of town sites as a commercial cleaner.

Craig, a father of five, originally trained as a panelbeater and did engineering work. However, when that work slowed down, he took up part time cleaning about six years ago. He had been living in Taumarunui before he and his family headed back to Taranaki, where he was from (he grew up in Hawera). "I'd always liked this church and when the opportunity of more hours came up I decided to apply. The history of the building - that had always freaked me out." He does a big clean on Sundays and another mid-week tidy up. He's also in charge or the Peace Hall premises and carries out some caretaking work. "A lot of volunteers do a fair bit here which makes the job easier."

The Revd Koebi Hart

Assistant Priest

Tena Koutou te whanau o Ihu Karaiti 

Ko Koebi toku ingoa

Ko Te Atua toku maunga
Ko te Waiora toku awa
Ko Ngaa Huu o te Rangimarie toku waka
Ko Hura toku Iwi

Tena Koutou, Tena koutou Katoa

My husband Steve and I became Christians 20 years ago in a little town in Taranaki.  Steve was a Police officer, which gave us the opportunity to move around the country.  In the past I have worked for the Armed forces, the Police,  Department of Education and  Victim Support.
At St Marys, I facilitate the Taranaki Branch of the Elijah House Prayer Ministry Training School. This is a Holy Spirit led, prayer and teaching ministry. It is committed to the healing transformation of individuals, families, the church and communities, through the Cross of Christ and God’s Word. The Schools are a powerful tool to equip those already in Ministry. I have been involved in Youth Ministry for a number of years and at St Mary’s, I have mentored the leaders and provided ministry and support to the Youth. Within the Anglican Church I am honoured to be licensed to both Tikanga Maori and Tikanga Pakeha. We have two adult children, three beautiful Granddaughters and perhaps the greatest and most challenging ministry of all, is bringing up a family.

Anne Knox

Associate to the Dean

My role, as Associate to the Dean was established in October 2011. I have the responsibility of working with the congregation, establishing and mentoring small groups; teaching and preaching and deepening the prayer life of the Cathedral. I love seeing people ‘go on adventures’ with God, seeing Him at work in their own lives and in the lives of other people. This helps grow their faith and can increase their knowledge and experience of him in such amazing ways. I am the chaplain at one of the local Rest Homes, taking a service there once a month and visiting residents. I also deputise for Dean Jamie when he is away from Taranaki.

I was born in New Plymouth and subsequently spent time in Wellington and Auckland before returning to Taranaki in the late 1990’s. I am married to Bob.

Carolyn Manuel

PA to Dean Jamie

Hi!  I am Carolyn and I am delighted to be a part of the team serving at Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary. I attended Sacred Heart Girls College, New Plymouth and am currently a part-time student studying psychology through Massey University. I have 3 beautiful children who are a delight (when they are being delightful!!).

My role at the Cathedral is PA to Dean Jamie.  I help look after the work of the Cathedral in the Diocese, the Dean's diary, the Friends of Taranaki Cathedral, the Welcome Desk and Daily Prayer Rosters and other administrative work.  I am in the office from 11.00 - 2.30pm and I look forward to meeting you or speaking to you on the phone.

The Revd Canon Bill Marsh

Canon Pastor

There is only one pastor of the church and he is Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. All that I can do as Canon Pastor is serve Christ’s pastoring of the church. It is such a privilege to share and take the love of Jesus to people in their most vulnerable moments: The death of a loved one, the sharing of family, spouse or health problems, and the diagnosis of that medical condition that no one wants to hear.  I am sometimes asked why I spend time with non-Anglicans.  My reply is simple, “no matter who or what you are, you are still one of God's children,” and as such worthy of all the ministrations that I as a Pastor can give.
 
Part of my brief is also responsibility for the Cathedral’s ministry of welcome, and as such, I hope we are able to extend St Mary's as a centre of pilgrimage and hospitality.
 
I am well aware that in my ministering I am being ministered to. It is the faith and hopes, struggles, sacrifices, goodness and love of the people that inspires my faith, my desire to serve, and my ability to persevere. For this, I can but say ‘thank you’.

Verity Pasione

Communications Officer

After living in New Plymouth for 1 year I finally received an answer to prayer - a job! And not just any job; my dream job. I have always enjoyed working with computers creating graphics, processing and producing information.

My position at Taranaki Cathedral as the Communications Officer includes updating and maintaining printed and online material, operating the Sound Desk, working with the Communications Team to produce promotional materials, creating the layout for the quarterly Cathedral magazine and helping to assemble the content of the weekly pewsheet. I’m basically the tech-savvy person to help with what I can concerning computers [aka the geek ^_~]. I am in the office from 9.30am - 5pm, Mon-Fri & 9.30am-12Noon Sundays. I look forward to developing my skills in order to help the team at St Mary’s.

The Revd David Pearce

Assistant Priest

I am married to Jen. We have four sons, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren !

I am a volunteer priest/helper at the Cathedral, with the challenge of running many Alpha courses and asisting in the Elijah House ministries. God has given me a very real passion for interdenominational relationship in New Plymouth where I have been chairman of NPCLN for five years. Presently I am involved in Resthome Ministry, one-on-one encouragement of many folks, plus a member of the team that leads worship and liturgy. With Jen, I am an active participant in a Bible-Centred house group which meets weekly. I/we love our calling and thank God for the health He has given us to roll with it !

The Revd Lance Riches

Assistant Priest

Before moving to Taranaki at the beginning of 2011, I had lived and worked in the rural town of Taumarunui all my life, as a sheep and beef farmer.   I became active in church work in my late teens . I was ordained as a priest in 1980, assisting and serving the very large rural community.  In 1984 I married my wife Val and together we continued to farm as well as serve the church and wider community. Val became the vicar of the parish in 1992 and I continued as an assistant with particular responsibilities as the hospital chaplain.

Under the umbrella of Scripture Union, horse riding camps have been part of Val’s life since 1974, initially on her family farm at Putaruru.  In 2001 we relocated the camps to our farm in Taumarunui where we established a purposeful campsite which continues to offer 5 week long camps over the summer.

Last year our third child Sarah-Anne, left home for uni where our middle child, Murray, was already established. Our oldest, Heather, graduated and returned as a civil engineer for GHD in Taumarunui hence also able to offer oversight of our home and the part of the farm we haven’t  leased. 

We moved to Taranaki, residing in Waitara, through Val taking up the position as Regional Dean for North East Taranaki and I assist her as a priest in that area. I am pleased to supporting St Mary’s Cathedral in a pastoral  role.

Annabelle Sacree

Administrative Assistant

I assist our family worker with the Afterschool Care Programme and Family Ministries. Originally from Bedfordshire I moved to New Plymouth in 2008 after 12 years in Auckland. I am passionate about environmental sustainability and hope that St. Mary’s can lead by example in both preservation of community and conscientious ministry support.

Karen Teo

Youth Enabler

I was called to serve as the Youth Enabler in Jan 2012. I originally hail from sunny Singapore and have been in NZ for 2.5 years. My role here in the Cathedral would be to coordinate and oversee the running of the Youth Ministry. I'm here to render my services to the youth of the Cathedral and to the wider community and I am certainly looking forward to working collaboratively with my fellow brothers and sisters to bringing more youth to know about the Peace, Joy and Love of Christ and for them to have a personal relationship with Him. Prior to joining the Cathedral, I was a social worker and I am also a qualified chef.

Michelle Warren

Cathedral Administrator

Hi, I'm Michelle the Cathedral Administrator.  I have had 18 years experience focusing on customer service and administration support.  Prior to this role I have worked at Venture Taranaki Trust. At Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary I am responsible for enquiries related to the Parish Registers and Roll, times of services and rosters, the booking of premises, the Cathedral online diary, information for the Cathedral website, notices for the pewsheet and all parish-related general queries. I look forward to meeting you and helping you with your inquiries.

I absolutely love motherhood and have a daughter, Mikayla.  I enjoy indoor netball, walks in the Park, swimming in the ocean and like to spend the occasional weekend relaxing at my parents in Mokau.

The Revd Gloria Williams

Vocational Deacon

What does this vocational deacon do?

My role here at St Mary's is to reclaim the Gospel by reading it and living out the servant-hood side of Christ's ministry both at the Eucharist and in the community. This includes the setting and preparation of the table before the priest begins the prayer of consecration. At the end of the Eucharist as a link between church and community the deacon dismisses the congregation with the reminder that we go out to serve Christ in the world beyond our doors. Filling in the gaps by helping with evensong and mid week Eucharist is also part of my role.
As sacristan I order the elements for the Eucharist and make sure all is ready beforehand including the preparation and laundering of the linen. Prayer support in the chapel following the service or any time or place is an important aspect of this ministry.
Lectio Divina is the ancient practice of sacred reading and silent reflection which I enjoy conducting in the candle-lit chapel accompanied by Taize and Gregorian chants. At our Thursday morning “Food 4 Thought” friendship and study group we are fortunate to have the support and expertise of many who are encouraged and more than capable of helping in a shared leadership role. This open group welcomes all.
My community work these days includes the delivery of "meals on wheels", convening a neighbourhood support group, hospital and home visiting and home communions.