MEET THE MINISTRY TEAM
VICAR: Rev Tom Houston
Tom joined St Andrew’s as our new Vicar in 2021, mid way through the pandemic with Emma, their three daughters, rabbit and dog.
Tom grew up in Devon but moved to Northamptonshire in 2011 to work at the Frontier Centre, a Christian outdoor activity centre. After that he trained as a Youth worker in Rushden before moving to Bristol to train for ministry, then served his curacy, on the other side of the A14 in Burton Latimer.
Tom is highly committed to seeing all churches in Kettering flourish and supports Churches Together as secretary for Kettering as well as the Anglican deanery in the role of Assistant Rural Dean. He also helps with the vocations team for Peterborough Diocese as an assistant DDO.
CURATE: Rev George Brett
We welcomed George to the St Andrew’s Family in July 2025 following his ordination as Deacon at Peterborough Cathedral.
George became a Christian in his teens going on to study Theology, Music and Worship at university. The call to ordination originally came twelve years ago while working as a music director at a church in London, and prior to ordination training at Trinity College, Bristol, he was working in the technology industry.
George is passionate about Christian engagement in the arts in worship and mission, the power of the blessed sacrament, and the Christian call to environmentalism and liberation of the oppressed and marginalised.
George is married to Katie, (also an ordinand) and together they have two boys. He enjoys poetry, art, music, motorcycles, board games and cooking.
CHURCHWARDENS: Barbara Carter (right) and Sue Merrifield (left)
Barbara and Sue were elected to serve for the following 12 months by the members of the church.
One of the focuses of the role of Churchwarden is on the maintenance and running of the building. Sue and Barbara are very grateful for all of the help that they receive in this from so many people from cleaners through the gardening team to those who offer practical skills and experience in particular areas.
Rebecca Szoltysek – Arts Centre Administrator
Rebecca joined the team in 2017 and has seen the Arts centre grow and develop, a large part thanks to her oversight. Rebecca helped restart the Arts Centre after the pandemic and helps oversee the social media, booking and general administration of the Arts Centre. She’s normally at most Arts centre events on the door, so please do say hi to her when you meet her.
Kettering Arts Centre office@ketteringartscentre.com;
Debbie Cox – Church and Rooms Administrator
Debbie has grown up in the church and recently took on the role of Church and rooms administrator in 2023. Please do contact Debbie if you have any queries or questions.
Debbie Cox ad.standrewskettering@debbiejcoxlivecouk
Margaret Bell – Reader
I moved to Kettering with husband, Peter, in September 2020 from a market town in Hampshire to support one of our family. The warm welcome we received at St Andrew’s and having previously seen Tom on an online service convinced us that St Andrew’s was where we should be worshiping. Margaret transferred her Reader License to St Andrew’s on 16th January 2022 with Bishop Don on Zoom.
Canon Brian Withington – Retired Priest
Brian was Rural dean at Broughton before moving on to Titchmarsh benefice, where he retired in 2021 to St Andrew’s Church in Kettering. Brian helps lead services and other pastoral roles in the church.
Lay Worship leaders
David, Sandra and Bethany are our lay worship leaders. They completed their course in September 2022 .
David is currently training to be a lay minister and oversees the running of the Boilerhouse!
Sandra oversees the running of Evensong
Bethany oversees the running of Cafe Church.
