MEET THE MINISTRY TEAM
VICAR: Rev Tom Houston
Tom joined St Andrew’s as our new Vicar in 2021, mid way through the pandemic. He moved with his wife, Emma, and two daughters, as well as two rabbits (adding later a 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.
CHURCHWARDENS: Barbara Carter (left) and Christine Smith (right)
Christine was re-elected and Barbara were elected to serve for the following 12 months by the members of the church.
Barbara and Christine are our amazing Churchwardens.
One of the focuses of the role of Churchwarden is on the maintenance and running of the building. Christine 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.
Claire Barber – Growing Faith Mission Enabler
Claire joined St Andrew’s with her family in autumn 2021, as a Peterborough Diocese intern. After completing her year she wanted to stay at St Andrew’s and continue to develop ministry between schools, Church and the home particularly with young families. Her prayers and ours were answered and she has received funding to do what she loves for at least the next three years as a growing faith mission enabler for Peterborough Diocese.
Now, as well as coordinating our Childrens ministry provision at St Andrew’s, she is supporting St Andrew’s school, all whilst completing a masters degree in Children’s ministry.
Mark Ingram – Urban Monk
Mark is a third order monk with Mirfield monastery. If you’re not sure what that looks like, come and chat to him. The short version is he follows a daily rhythm of prayer and a rule of life. In 2022, Mark was exploring becoming a full time monk and moving into the monastery, but after a long process of discernment, felt that St Andrew’s and Kettering was his home and his monastery. Now he seeks to help others develop a prayer rhythm that works for them as well spiritual and pastoral support.
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 Tichmarsh 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
