Who’s who
Kathleen Charles
Kathleen has enjoyed serving in many ways at church including leading the Women’s Hour meetings on Thursday afternoons. Kathleen and her husband Andrew really enjoy visiting their three sons and their families and have been blessed with eight grandchildren.
Esther Bennett
Esther has been coming to the church since September 2019, when her husband Chris came to be the pastor. She loves meeting up with women in the church, especially doing one-to-one study. After 30 years living in London she is always out in the beautiful countryside round Hemel, walking the dog, or watching birds.
Christine Pettitt
Christine started coming to church from the tender age of 6 when she joined Sunday School. She has been involved in many parts of church life and now helps to run the Women’s Hour meetings and Little Ark. Christine is so comforted by Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10 because it has helped her to remember that God is with her through even the most difficult times. When she’s not helping others she enjoys gardening, reading and meeting up with friends.
Jacqui Zugg
Jacqui and her family had visited church a few times before coming on a regular basis. She loves getting to grips with the Bible with the oldest Sunday School class and she’s also part of the church safeguarding team. She relaxes listening to audio books, reading and walking the dog.
Richard Newman
Richard is part of the leadership team and is married to Jo. He’s involved with Sunday School, ARK, Herts Welcomes Refugees and he’s part of the church safeguarding team. In his free time he is often listening to music or walking in the great outdoors. His favourite Bible verses are Isaiah chapter 55 verses 8 – 9 which remind him that he doesn’t have all the answers, but God does.
Cath Toms
Cath is married to Mike and they have three grown up children as well as Wesley the cocker spaniel. Cath’s involved with Sunday School, ARK and the women’s work as well as playing piano regularly for church services. She loves walking, swimming in the sea (summer time only!) and meeting friends for coffee.
Mike Toms
Mike is married to Cath and he’s part of the leadership team. He can be relied on to keep us in tune during the songs, to always be ready and willing to help anyone with (almost) anything and for having an uncanny knack for starting a church-wide rendition of ‘happy birthday’ to an unsuspecting church friend! In his spare time you’ll find him behind the wheel of a fast car or finding new homes for old junk!
Jo Newman
Jo is married to Richard and they have three grown up children. She’s involved with Sunday School and arranging rotas for different church activities. Outside of church Jo will often be running, and with 10+ marathons, 60+ half marathons and 230 park runs under her belt she’s covered a fair few miles! On a less exhausting note, she also likes doing jigsaw puzzles.
Chris Bennett
Chris is the pastor, having moved here in 2019. He’s married to Esther and they have three grown up daughters. Chris wasn’t brought up as a Christian but came to a very life-changing faith through a friend and a sermon at an after-school club when he was nearly 16. Before coming to Hemel, Chris was a minister in Muswell Hill, London, for 18 years and elsewhere before that. Chris enjoys reading books, especially in cafes, playing the violin, teaching ancient languages and walking up the hills of the Lake District.
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Sarah Bailey
Sarah is married to Geoff, who she met at church. She’s involved with Little Ark, Sunday School and the women’s work. Her favourite part of the Bible is Psalm 8. Sarah enjoys listening to music, housework and walking, especially in Autumn!
Geoff Bailey
Geoff is married to Sarah and is part of the leadership team. Since moving to Hemel Hempstead he’s been baptised, got married and had three children who come to ARCC as well. Geoff is the church treasurer and is involved with ARK as well as being the designated church DIY-er because he loves a project! When he’s not fixing things he enjoys watching sport.
Libby Powell
Libby is married to James and they have two young children. She’s involved with Sunday School and really enjoys the monthly women’s meetings. She loves good coffee, walking and making new friends (over coffee, of course!).
