The Revd Jonathan Kester, Priest-in-Charge

Fr Jonathan Kester has been Parish Priest of Emmanuel since 2008. Raised in Chichester, West Sussex, he graduated in theology from Exeter University, before becoming a pastoral assistant and youth worker at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban. This was followed by formation for ordination at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, being ordained in St Alban’s Abbey in 1993 to serve as curate of St Mary’s, Cheshunt. In 1996 he moved to the Diocese of London to be Chaplain to the Bishop of Edmonton, also serving as Media Adviser for the Edmonton Episcopal Area and as Honorary Curate of St Mary Magdalene’s, Munster Square.



In 2000 he moved to the Diocese of Chelmsford to serve for eight years as Vicar of St Mary’s, Ilford, a diverse and multi-cultural parish in the East London Borough of Redbridge, before returning to the Diocese of London to serve here at Emmanuel.

Fr Jonathan has had a life-long interest in music of all kinds and is particularly interested in how music and liturgy connect us with eternal present of God’s redeeming love. He is interested in Christian education at all levels and particularly enjoys the close relationship with our church school, seeking to work collaboratively in further developing creative links between church and school in the service of the wider local community. In his spare time he enjoys theatre and cinema, bike riding, a wide range of music and travel. He is also Assistant Director of Ordinands and works as a Spiritual Director.

The Revd Annette Fritze-Shanks, Honorary Assistant Priest

Mother Annette Fritze-Shanks serves as Assistant Priest at Emmanuel. Born in Australia where she also completed much of her tertiary education as a teacher and lawyer, Mo. Annette has now lived in England for nineteen years.  It is in England that she trained for ordination at the South East Institute of Theological Education, being made deacon in 2004 and ordained priest in 2005.  Mo Annette’s first curacy was in our neighbouring parishes of St James', West Hampstead and St Mary's Kilburn. Mo Annette is a self-supporting priest and, in addition to being with us at Emmanuel, she works as a solicitor in the City of London.

The Revd Alysoun Whitton, Assistant Curate

Mother AlysounWhitton was ordained deacon by the Bishop of London at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 3rd 2010 and started at Emmanuel as Assistant Curate the following day.  Mo Alysoun received her formation for ordination at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, having spent many years at St Augustine’s, Highgate where she served as Reader.

Mo Alysoun trainedinitially at the Camberwell School of Art and began work as a potter, working mainly in porcelain.  She ran a workshop until her late husband David became ill and she needed to take care of him full time.  After his death it was the church community at St Augustine’s, Highgate, which cared for her and nurtured her and from which she embarked on her pilgrimage of faith.

After this Mo Alysoun worked for CARIS, a faith based organisation, funded by churches of the Edmonton Area, which supports asylum seekers and homeless families.  Later on she worked at the Institute with colleagues of other faiths,who greatly supported her on her journey.

She studied at the Birkbeck Faculty of Continuing Education and on the Edmonton Area Course in Christian Studies, before embarking on Reader training.  During that time she was aware that God might be asking more of her and with the guidance of her Parish Priest and Spiritual Director she began the process of discernment for the sacred ministry of the Church.  And so it was that, after her formation at St Stephen’s House, she joined the clergy team here at Emmanuel.

The Churchwardens

are William Davis and Don Shields.  They are responsible for the maintenance of the Church's buildings as well as their pastoral role to the congregation and to the Parish Priest.  Both are members of the PCC.

The Treasurer

is Jude Chin, also a member of the PCC. He is responsible for setting up and controlling the church's finances, providing budgets and explaining the financial situation to the PCC and congregation. He explains about giving and deals with gift aid, covenants and any other financial matters. Diana Maltzer assists him as Bookkeeper helped by Mary Shepherd.

The Secretary

to the PCC is Joanne Hutchings. She is responsible for the administration of the PCC, making sure that notices of meetings are given out in time, agendas are made available and displayed so that members of the congregation can advise the PCC of their views and for adequate minutes of the meetings themselves.

The Sacristan & Head Server

are Matthew Shirley and William Davis (see above).  Please contact them if you would like to become a server and join the rota of servers.  They will explain what you need to know and arrange training and for you to be licensed by the Bishop. Servers assist the parish priest during the services.

Mark Denza, Organist

Mark is organist and director of music at two Hampstead churches: Emmanuel, West End Green, and St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Swiss Cottage, where his arrangements have become part of the musical fabric. His work as an organ accompanist has encompassed a prodigious assortment of instruments throughout London: he has given solo and duet recitals, and played in orchestral works such as the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony.

Website Designer & Photographer

is Sukey Parnell. Sukey is, also, a member of the PCC, the choir and representative to the Deanery Synod (see below).

» Email Sukey

The Sunday School Co-ordinator

The Sunday School Co-ordinator is Nishi Shirley and our team of Sunday School helpers also includes Tess Broderick, Samantha Dumont, Casey and Clare Hammett, John Ward, Carrie Reiners and Helen Sage. We are always looking to recruit new helpers for our growing Sunday School. If you are interested in serving in this way we’d love to hear from you.

The Children's Advocate

The Children’s Advocate is Casey Hammett and the Section X checker is Doreen Nyamweha.  At Emmanuel we take the area of safeguarding our children and vulnerable adults very seriously since this is a key part of our ministry and we are careful to ensure that there is a safe and nurturing environment for all our members, young and old.  A copy of the parish Child Protection Policy is displayed on our internal notice board and may also be obtained from Fr Jonathan or one of the Officers.

The Electoral Roll Officer

The Electoral Roll Officer is Carrie Reiners who may be contacted to join the Church's Electoral Roll. All baptised regular worshippers over 16 who are members of the Church of England or a church in communion with it may join.  The Electoral Roll is the formal list of Church members and entitles you to attend and vote at the annual Church meeting in April and to stand as a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Representatives to the Deanery Synod

are Sukey Parnell and Lydia Parker. We are part of the North Camden Deanery. The synod sits four times a year and discusses matters of interest to the local community and network of churches.

www.northcamdendeanery.org.uk

Members of the Parochial Church Council:

The Parish Priest, The Honorary Assistant Priest, the Reader, the Churchwardens, the Deanery Synod representatives, and the following elected members: Jude Chin, Joanne Hutchings, Sukey Parnell, Nishi Shirley, Carrie Reiners, Susan Redward, Diana Malzer, Casey Hammett.
Representative to the House of Laity, General Synod: John Ward

Executive Head: Sheila McCalla-Gordon
Head of School: Tracy Kilkenny