Our Ordained Ministers
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The Revd. David Jones Acting Rector |
David is the 'Acting Rector' in the Benefice of the Fromeside Churches. He also works as an associate minister in Yate parish. In addition to this, David supports vocations in the diocese as an Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands. David was ordained Deacon on the 30th of June 2019 and Priest on 10th October 2020, having spent two years training at Trinity College in Bristol and serving his context placement in the Fromeside Benefice. Following this time David served his Curacy in the Fromeside Benefice. David served as associate minister with responsibility for St. Saviour's from when they joined the Fromeside in 2022 until stepping into the acting rector post in November 2025. David spent many years sidestepping his call to ordination, during this time he served as church warden and deanery lay-chair. God got him in the end! Jobs before ordained ministry include as a bus driver, a customer records administrator, an insurance clerk and an ice cream salesperson. David is married to Elaine, they have many children! David and Elaine enjoy holidays, often in their caravan.
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The Revd. Jo Hodge Associate Minister with responsibility for St. Michael's, Winterbourne Pastoral care co-ordinator. |
Joanne was ordained deacon alongside David on 30th June 2019, having studied Theology, Ministry, and Mission at Trinity College, Bristol. She was ordained priest following the Covid-19 delay in October 2020 She has obtained plenty of experience in Yate, where she ministered as an LLM and parish administrator prior to ordination. Jo joined the ministry team in the Fromeside Benefice in January 2025.
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The Revd. Julia Chard
Associate Minister, Prayer and Spirituality lead.
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Julia joined the Fromeside Benefice as Associate Minister in February 2017, having trained at Trinity College. She was ordained in 2011, having been licensed as a Lay Minister in 1999. During that time, she was a Sub Warden of Readers, and also trained as a Spiritual Director. Previously, she was worked alongside others in Downend, Frenchay and Soundwell churches. She says "I've been blessed with my links with people on the fringes of the church - in particular making connections with young families through Baptism Preparation, Messy church and pastoral care"
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Our Lay Ministers and Staff
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Nessa Jarman Benefice Administrator |
Having grown up and worked locally, Nessa knows the Fromeside area well, and her roots are within the Anglican tradition. She is now an active member of Jacobs Well pioneering Christian community, which keeps her busy with volunteering roles in the south Yate area. In her 'spare' time you'll find Nessa gardening at home and on the allotment or open water swimming ! She is married to Richard and they have two adult sons.
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Becky Cox Pastoral Liaison Worker and Youth and Families Missioner |
Becky works across our churches, supporting the development of appropriate activities and content to engage local families with the life of their local churches. She also provides mentoring in many local schools on our behalf, leading a team of mentors who volunteer in the local secondary academy. She also oversees Messy Church, and often can be found taking assemblies in a local school.
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Mike Swain Licensed Lay Minister |
Mike's joined the benefice when St Saviour's, Coalpit Heath joined the other churches in 2022, although rooted at St. Saviour's Mike leads worship across the Benefice and further afield. He is especially well-known locally for his funeral ministry, with many years of experience in this area.
Mike is a retired secondary school teacher in Mathmatics.
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Deborah Henney-Turner Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) Worker |
Deborah joined the Fromeside Benefice in September 2025 for a 10-month work placement. Previously, she has participated in an MES placement at Bradford Cathedral, worked in a chaplaincy in the Diocese of Europe, and studied theology at the University of Bristol. |
