Meet Our Team 

I arrived here in the Benefice in January 2022 after completing curacy with the South Quantock Benefice. 

It is an absolute delight to have been ‘called’ here by God to be the Rector. Something as a pioneer minister I never really envisaged myself doing. 

But, God has a purpose and plan for all of us and there are no barriers with him. 

There is never a dull moment here and I throughly enjoy sharing my heart and passion for all things community with the Churches. 

My family are wonderfully supportive and a big part of the ministry within the Benefice.  Dean my husband is also training to be ordained and naturally helps with most things. 

We are parents to two Sons Morgan and Chandler, and we love spending time as a family with their partners Millie and Georgia and Noah our grandson who is the absolute joy of our lives. 

My prayer for our Benefice is that we will all know how much we are loved by God and as such, share his love as instructed in the greatest commandment that reminds us - we need to love one another as he loves us! My dream is that we as a Benefice will see ourselves as one big family. 

Everyone is welcome - why not give us a try!

I am into my 3rd year in this role and have been quite surprised  at the transferable skills I’ve been able to use since retiring as a clinical nurse manager, Parish Nurse and GP practice nurse. There are lots of things to organise and do, ranging from fundraising events to lighting and sound equipment checks, and researching smart meter legislation to recruiting and supporting volunteers. My pastoral experience is also put to good use as I am a self-designated ‘People’s Warden’, a term I think fits my gifting and that I adopted from a church in New Zealand. I visit people at home and in hospital and am licensed to offer communion by extension, thus supporting the Rector in this ministry, which I love. It is great to be part of the leadership team here as we have lots of amazing people in our church family who make serving God together a real joy.

With Daphne Woodhouse, I am one of the two churchwardens at St Peter and St Paul’s – a role I took on in 2012 a little while after retiring from work. It seems that I had finally run out of excuses for why I could not do it, so that was that.

‘Work’ for me was teaching. I am frequently asked, “What did you teach?” …… and the answer, of course, is “students”. For most of my career they were A-level chemistry students at Richard Huish 6th Form College in Taunton. Latterly I was Assistant Principal there, so became less of a subject teacher but more engaged in quality management, inspection, information systems and governance. I guess my proudest achievement came about 9 years into this role in leading the changes that took the College’s Ofsted rating from “Good” (albeit a bit average and complacent in some areas) to “Outstanding”, and to a DfE “Charter Mark Award” and to “Beacon College” status. Why am I proud of that? Well, of course, the professional recognition is nice, but mostly because through it I was able to contribute to the young people getting a first-class educational experience.

I was also a part-time Ofsted Inspector (“yah, boo, hiss” I hear my fellow teachers shout). But what I enjoyed most about that was the opportunity to do practice inspections for colleges and to get into real conversations with fantastic teacher colleagues about making things great for the young people they work with.

You can take the guy out of teaching but you can’t take teaching out of the guy. I am a badminton coach currently working with three groups of young players from 8 to 18 years. Imagine stating with a nine year-old who can barely hit the shuttle, and a year later they can step backwards, jump, hit the shuttle with perfect timing while they are in mid-air, and then land the feet correctly the opposite way around to the way they started …… witnessing the smile in their eyes the first time they do it is an absolute privilege.

I like to take photographs (I’m secretary of the village camera club) and I’ve taught myself to use Photoshop (other image editors are available) as a way of covering up for my inadequacies in getting the myriad of camera settings and the composition right first time. It works for me.  I also enjoy DIY around the house but don’t get enough time to do as much as I (or my wonderfully patient better half, Sue) would like.

I take my inspiration from the Servant King: we are here to serve others and to spread a message of love and hope. Every generation is different, has different life experiences and different expectations. Consequently, I believe the Church needs to change continuously in service to others – not to change the message, just the way the message gets out there – so that it stays fresh and vibrant, understanding of and inviting to all.

Amanda Jaggers: 

I’ve been a churchwarden at St Michael’s for several years and am also trained as a lay worship assistant. St Michael’s is a beautiful small village church and I feel honoured to help take care of it for future generations, but if I’m honest, it’s the people who make a church for me.

I have lived in Seavington since 1999. My son also lives in the  village and my daughter near Bath. I grew up in Exeter, so have come back to my westcountry roots and love it.

I am a nurse, currently working with NHS Somerset Continuing Healthcare Quality, Safeguarding and Court of Protection team. I have a lurcher called Oscar who loves walking in the village lanes as much as I do - as long as we don’t meet any other dogs, he’s a very scared lurcher! I also love music and going to the beach. I helped set up Seavington Community Shop and Cafe and am a fully qualified barista. (Which qualifies me to help with post service refreshments and Cafe Church!)

It is very important to me that St Michael’s and St Mary’s (the other, now redundant, church in the village) remain open for people to use them as a safe, peaceful space.

Anne Shaw:

My husband and I moved to Seavington St Michael in 2003 from Coventry. I worked for many years at the University of Warwick where I met my husband, who was a postgraduate in the department I worked in! He’s a Yeovil boy, so moving here was almost coming home for him, once he decided to stop being a ‘mature’ student and return to work at Leonardo Helicopters or Westlands as most locals still call it.

We had just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary when we settled here, so I feel Seavington has really been our home together. We have two boys, eldest son is about to start new adventures at university, whilst younger son is starting his GCSE years. I am proud to think of them both being genuine Seavington children.

I became Church Warden a few years ago, with Amanda’s support and guidance. St Michael’s Church has become a very important part of my life along with my church family. Just knowing the door is always open at church, and is welcoming to all, gives me great comfort and I’m keen for visitors to share this joy.

My family moved from Yeovil to Martock in 1967 finally settling in East Lambrook in 1974. On leaving School I started work at East Lambrook Manor Gardens eventually becoming head gardener. This cottage garden with its dense and natural planting is the creation of Margery Fish.

I Joined the congregation at St. James’s around 2012, soon helping out with bell ringing and stepping in when we are without an organist though using only one finger, just sufficient to keep us together and in tune, fortunately the congregation are hearty singers! My duties increased when I became deputy church warden, a position I occupied for two years before becoming church warden in 2022. I am very conscious of the importance of this roll which to uphold the maintenance and daily running of the Church as a centre of worship and quiet prayer, so it continues to have the same calm and welcoming presence it has been for over 830 years.

I came to South Petherton from London in 1984 with my family having bought Harding’s grocers shop.  During that time I became a member of St Peter & St Paul’s Church, singing in the choir, PCC Secretary and a member of the Deanery Synod.  I later held the position of Churchwarden for a number of years.  I have also been a Parish Councillor, Secretary of the Youth Club, a member of the bowls club and learnt to bell ring under the tutelage of David Purnell.  Since Rev Tracey has been at the church she has involved me with different events with the children including helping at the Infants School assembly in church on a thursday morning.  I have organised the Lent lunches and Village picnic for the Coronation. I love all sport and gardening and helping those less fortunate in the village.   I have two children and three grandchildren.

I am a single mum to a beautiful girl and I have been part of this community for around 30 years. I have a strong passion for music and art and I like to use these skills to link the community and church together. Church without walls is where I started to grow and what I hope to continue to build on with those around me. 

I have recently become the Benefice Safeguarding Officer. The benefice is committed to keeping safeguarding as a priority and I am keen to engage all our church members in this and for us all to understand that Safeguarding is Everyone’s Business. We all have a responsibility to look out for all vulnerable members of our community and report any concerns to the appropriate person, in strict confidence. In my worklife, sadly I have learned how many people experience or are at risk of experiencing harm or abuse, whatever their background may be and, as a church, it is vital for everyone to know that we are a safe place and a caring community.