Where are you from? I’m originally from Hampshire, but I now consider Oxford my home, having been a student here, and then coming back here to live after 10 years in London. When Richard and I got together we both knew that we had to come back to Oxford…it just felt right!
How did you find St Margaret’s? We had been exploring different churches around Oxford after Richard had stopped playing the organ at St Mary’s, Kidlington. I was pregnant with Ben, and we were struggling to find somewhere we liked that had good provision for children and good music. David Smith, with whom we were singing in OPMS, suggested we tried St Margaret’s. The rest is history.
What do you do here? Primarily I sing with the choir, and have done so since Richard took over as Director of Music. I used to take a larger role in the Sunday School activities, as well as running a junior choir, counting the collection, and being on the PCC, though as my working life has changed over the last few years, I have had to cut down on the amount of work I do extra to the Sunday services. I am enjoying sewing the kneelers.
What do you like about the church? I love the sense of belonging here and the feeling of being in an extended family. I know that if I need help, I could ask nearly anyone in the congregation. Similarly, I like the fact that I can support others. The amount of mutual support and care we have experienced since joining the parish 22 years ago has been incredible. Church fills me with a sense of Christian love, which is surely a good thing.
What are you looking forward to over the next few months? I can’t wait for my job to get back to as near to normal as possible. I have really missed the travel that has featured over the past few years and the face-to-face contact with the musicians I examine. As a musician, I also miss the ability to perform with others, and I hope that this will resume as soon as it can. It has been good to spend time at home, but I look forward to being able to branch out again.
What three words would you use to describe your faith? (The) Divine Finger (of) Providence! I have a strong belief that everything that happens to us happens for a reason, and it is up to us to see which way we are being led. The story of the Footsteps in the Sand also sums up my faith.
Tell us something most people would never guess about you… I taught Claire Richards (of Steps) how to yodel.