Our Team
serving Jesus - serving youA dedicated team...
Rector Rev Chris Butler now leads a team that includes Rev Jane Jones-Willliams and Lay Reader Tania Manners. We are also privileged to have a wider team of Honorary Assistant Ministers and Hannah Saunders serves as Safeguarding Officer. We pray God’s continuing blessing on their ministry among the churches of the Benefice and the communities they represent in Sodbury Vale.
Associate Priest
Our Rector
The Rev Chris Butler joined us on October 4 2023 coming from Bath and Wells Diocese where she was Rector of small villages outside of Wells.
She studied theology at St.John’s College, Durham graduating in 2010. She followed that up by an MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture through Sarum College.
She and her dog, Charlie, love living in Chipping Sodbury and exploring the surrounding area. You may see her being pulled along, or trying to answer questions in a local pub quiz. Her other interests include pilates, Bath Rugby and trying to produce a flourishing, wildlife garden.
One of her visions is to ensure our churches are engaging in the lives of their local communities, and the wider world around, and helping our Benefice discover its place in God’s world.
Every individual is loved by God and she seeks to enable people to deepen their understanding of just how much they are loved, helping them to grow in faith so that they become alive in Christ.
She says ‘It is an amazing privilege to become a part of this community, both during Sunday worship and meeting people during the different stages of their lives. This can be supporting people after the sad death of a loved one, celebrating a baptism or wedding, or with children in our local primary schools.’
Lay Reader
Tania has been a member of St John’s for eight years and feels privileged to have been recently licensed by the Bishop of Gloucester as a Lay Reader (30.09.23).
She says ‘I am looking forward to the journey ahead, preaching, teaching, leading worship and ministering in a variety of roles and contexts in the church and wider community’.
Readers are volunteers who take part in a 3-year training programme before being approved or “licensed” by the Bishop. Readers are not ordained, but they follow the laws of the church. There are 10,000 Readers across the country, serving God in many different, exciting and impactful ways.
Our Honorary Assistant Ministers
Revd Steve Abbott
E: abbott.steve@btinternet.com
Revd Christine Axford
E: craxford@gmail.com
Revd David Powe
E: davidpowe@ymail.com
Revd Canon Rob Axford
E: rha50@outlook.com
Revd Canon Catherine Coster
E: catherinecoster3@gmail.com
Mike Swain (Reader)
E: swain189@btinternet.com
Revd Chris Mason
E: rev.chris.mason@gmail.com
Our Safeguarding Officer
Hannah Saunders has been worshipping in the Benefice for nearly 10 years. She and Steve were married in St John’s CS in 2016.
Hannah has a busy full time job locally as Parish Clerk and RFO to Dodington Parish Council (located between Yate and Sodbury).
Although Hannah now lives out of the Benefice she continues to attend St John’s and carry out role of Safeguarding Officer.
When Hannah has time she enjoys long walks with Steve and family dog. There is always a good book on the go and she sings in the Rock Choir.
Should you have any safeguarding concerns – Hannah can be contacted by emailing <safeguarding@svbcofe.org.uk>