Who’s who at St James - Wardens

Paul Ellerby - Warden

I recently updated my CV where I describe myself as 'a committed Christian, dedicated husband and an enthusiastic dad.'

I became a Christian in 1990, met Catherine at St Paul's Finchley soon after and we were married there in 1992. The following year Luke (now 16) was born, followed by Grace (13), Titus (9) and Evangeline (4). We live in East Finchley and the children now attend Fortismere and St James schools. Family leisure time is usually spent following the children's sporting and other activities but I enjoy cooking at home, dining out and occasional trips to Hampstead Heath for a 'country' walk.

My current work has just come to an unexpected end but we are seeing God work in ways that are just as unexpected. I have been working in the travel and tourism industry for 25 years and mainly involved in sales and marketing.

Our life at St James began as occasional visitors to 'Sunday@5'. Then in May 2006 we decided to make it our home church. I joined a midweek 'Christian Discipleship' course and was struck by how committed people were to using this time to wrestle with scripture. After a year I became a group leader and again the commitment to meeting around God's word for training was something I had not experienced before. I enjoyed being a part of the leadership team for 'Sunday@5' until it ended in the summer and that service will always hold special memories for us. However, things move on and change happens so now you will find me at the 6pm and occasionally at the 9.30am service.

Some of you will know Catherine who has been on the staff team since 2006 and together we coordinate the support we give to JP and Sue Aranzulla our missionary partners in Bologna. We also host a pastorate group in our home and have found this is a great way in such a large church for people to get to know each other and to get more involved.

Many of my passions are expressed in some ways by what I have already said but as a church warden I would want to encourage everyone to play their part in the body of Christ and to help make our services and activities open and accessible to everyone in Muswell Hill.

'Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost', if we have been found and we are saved – let's carry on his work in the strength of his Spirit.

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Bernice Hardie - Warden

Simon Upcott

I imagine a few of you will be surprised (even shocked) to discover that I am up for the role of church warden. Well, let this be a warning to those of you sitting (un)comfortably in the back row of services - I was a back row stalwart at St James in 1983 and remained so resolutely for several years!

In 1991 I finally plucked up the courage to go to Starters (the forerunner of Alpha) and since then have gradually become more involved - teaching at Sunday Gang; helping with Big Lunch and as a Focus leader in the past. I mainly come to the 11.15am service.

I juggle for a living:

  • Family (I'm married to the incredibly patient Ian, and have three children – Jess aged 18 who is currently at Hereward College in Coventry, Joe aged 15 who is at Alexandra Park School and Ben aged 9 who is at Rhodes Avenue)
  • Work from home/garden office (as a self-employed market research consultant to commercial, charitable and government organisations)
  • Occasional play (tennis, gardening, yoga classes and singing being my escapes)

I also care about the inclusion of those who feel marginalised for whatever reason (my daughter has Downs Syndrome) and am involved in the fledgling WAVE group - We're All Valued Equally - which is looking at ways in which churches in Muswell Hill can support and encourage the faith of young adults with learning disabilities and their families.

I am excited about the ways in which we as a church are trying to 'Live as Jesus Lived and Love as Jesus Loved'. For me, all the teaching I have been privileged enough to receive at St James over the years, now makes even more sense, and has become a 'wake up' call in the form of this vision.

I think we can sometimes take St James for granted (well I know I do) and forget how blessed we are to be a part of this amazing church. The work colleague who recently helped with our church survey, and is a Christian himself, came away noticeably affected by the faith and commitment of church members he spoke to, and of God's presence among us – it would be great to focus and build on that going forward.

I hope as a church warden to continue, in God's strength, to help St James to grow as a place where all feel welcomed and cared for.

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