Our Staff Team
Rev Andy Day – Superintendent Minister
Hi, My name is Andy Day, I am the incoming Superintendent, or Supernintendo as some might say!
In one of the Indiana Jones movies, they go over several huge waterfalls as they make their journey onwards, and I think that my journey to faith and into ministry feels a bit like that, risky and exhilarating in equal measure.
Sarah and I have been married 27 years so far, and one son, Reuben, who now lives in Bournemouth, where Sarah and I met doing youth work in local churches.
I have studied at Cliff College, the Urban Theology Unit in Sheffield and York St John College. Someone must have thought I needed it all. I’ve been a Methodist Minister since 2007, when I was sent as a Probationer, into the Barnsley Circuit in South Yorkshire, where I spent my first five years serving a number of former mining villages and regularly baptising anyone who moved! My record being 14 children baptised in 3 weeks.
After five years, the Lord told me it was time to move and so through Stationing, I was matched with Plymouth and Devonport Circuit, where we spent the next seven years.
It was during my time there, that I felt a call to offer for Superintendency and this eventually led us to the Liskeard and Looe Circuit, which is where, like many we sought to continue to be The Church, when we could not meet in the church building, and is where I was first blessed with working alongside Rev Chloe Jones.
Now, the Lord has led Sarah and I to the West Somerset Circuit, and we are very happy to be here. We hope to be a blessing as we have already been blessed by the folks we have met.
I hope that we will have chance to meet and build a friendship, and find what Jesus has in store for us in the times to come.
Rev Chloe Jones – Minister
I am one of those there local’s, born and bred on Exmoor from one of the many families that have lived in the same house since the 1600s – not joking! After university studying music, I started my working life as a Youth Worker for the Exmoor Deanery in a mission which is now the Exmoor Youth Project, from there I taught music, did a bit of performing, organist, administrator, choir leader until I ran out of jobs within the church and answered the call to ordained ministry.
I read Theology at Oxford and languished in a wonderful year of sacred music and hymnody for my MA. After over a decade in the Church of England, I found myself working for a Methodist circuit in Cornwall when I realised that spiritually, I had come home. I completed my coming home by moving back to West Somerset in 2021 where I now work within the Methodist Circuit.
I have 5 children (yes, I know) love God, my Dogs and my husband, in that order- joking this time. I believe that we are the hands and feet of Christ upon earth; that we can bring about the Kingdom of heaven by dropping tiny drops of love into the world. Love will overcome evil as sure as the day follows the night, and that transformation begins with me – and you.
Penny Williams – Lay Community Worker
I was born and raised in Buckinghamshire and my life seemed to be taking a ‘dramatic’ trajectory. From treading the boards at 2 years old, the passion grew and I eventually trained in Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway University of London. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in musicals, pantomimes, straight plays and Shakespeare; I worked as a clapper loader for Panavision, working with BBC and I studied jazz and tap dancing too.
But despite a love for it, my heart was never really suited to the lifestyle and at 22 years old, I took the choice to move to a place that had been our family holiday destination for many years; a place that I loved dearly and a place that was already a second home – Minehead. After a number of years working in education, specialising in working with young people on the Autistic Spectrum (and having met and married my husband and had our little one together), I felt that I was being called to something else.
I answered that call, and now work for this Circuit as a Lay Community Worker. I am also currently training to be a local preacher. As with any work, both in the church and in the wider community, it is multi-faceted and my time is shared between being the Chaplain of Westerley Christian Care Home, running the successful ‘Alcombe Friendship Centre’ and working on our Circuit’s online presence. I still keep my hand in with amateur dramatics, often treading the boards in one form or another and as well as that, I enjoy spicy food, Marvel movies, Star Wars, Brentford Football Club, murder mystery novels, being outdoors, getting to know new people and being with my family. I am so privileged to get to show the love of God to so many, through my work with our local communities and proud that when people ask what makes me so happy, I can reveal the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit.
Jess James – Lay Outreach Worker
Hi, I’m Jess! I’m really excited to be working for the West Somerset Circuit.
I’m a wife and a mummy to 2 little people (who keep me on my toes!) I also enjoy singing and musical theatre when I’m not working or running around after the children!
I have spent the last 11 years working for the Exmoor Youth Project, working with all the schools and churches across Exmoor. In 2021 I did a course to get a certificate in Lay Pioneer Ministry. I felt called to a new challenge, and applied for the job as Community Outreach Worker! I’m really looking forward to walking alongside the communities in Watchet and Williton and seeing where God is at work and what he wants me to get involved with.
I look forward to meeting, worshipping and working with you all.
Priscilla Woodhall – Toddler Group Co-Ordinator
My name is Priscilla, I have moved to the area in the past year with my husband and 3 beautiful children.
I have been overwhelmed with the love and support from the community. After travelling around the country for many years I feel like we have found a home here.
My background is varied but I have always had a passion for teaching and supporting young people in their journeys.
I can usually be found on the beach with my well-loved kayaks and boards and I enjoy a spot of archery occasionally too.
I am really looking forward to working with the toddlers and meeting you all along the way.