Who’s who?

 

Don Smith - Rector (retired in January 2024)

Farewell to Don and Karen.

"We don’t want you to go, but we know it’s the right time. Thank you both for so many acts of loving kindness, for strong and clear leadership, for times when you have allowed your mind to be changed, as well as the times you haven’t.

It won’t take seeing your name on the ‘Rectors of Frinton’ board for us to remember you with affection, and with deep gratitude to God. Thank you, and farewell."

The Lord bless you and keep you; 
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Heather Ursell - Churchwarden

Heather has lived in Frinton, home-town of her late husband, Chris, for over thirty-five years. Her four children and four grandchildren (so far) are a special joy. She comes from a teaching background, and enjoys interacting with people of all ages, and her main hobbies of reading and admin! Her Christian faith is very important to her, knowing that life would have been much more difficult without the understanding that God can work things out for good in every situation. She loves being part of St Mary’s, particularly encouraging people to join our homegroups, and does her best to help our church community run smoothly and efficiently!

Peter Wood - Churchwarden

Peter, a lifelong resident in the area, has recently returned to the office of churchwarden. He is married to Paula and they have two married sons and three grandchildren of secondary school age.

One of his favourite guiding Bible verses is taken from 1 Peter 3:15 – “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” A natural spin-off from this is that he takes a lead in the Training, Outreach and Evangelism Church Action Group.  

Peter and Paula like most sports, although mostly watching these days, especially football and rugby. They both enjoy long walks around the area, but probably most of all they look forward to spending quality time together with family and friends.

Yoyis Higgins - Children's and Families' Worker

Yoyis was born in Mexico and grew up in a religious family.  Back in her hometown, she worked as a Nursery and Early Years teacher for thirteen years.  She moved to London to study English in 2011, and met Dan, who is now her husband, in 2014. 

She worked as a nanny in London for six years, until they welcomed their son Joseph in 2017.  From then, Yoyis thoroughly enjoyed being a full-time mum.  In 2020, she and her family moved to Frinton, and became part of St Mary’s Church in 2021.  Early in 2023, she became Children’s and Families’ Worker for St Mary’s.  Apart from working with children, Yoyis also loves wild photography, football, baking, travelling, and art crafts.

Dominic Gardner - Operations Manager

Dominic joined St Mary’s staff at the end of 2018, coming from a background in youth work with Essex County Council and in management in fast food outlets.  He grew up in Frinton and now lives in Walton with his wife, Steph, and family.  His main interests are online gaming and football; both playing and watching. For many years, whatever his current employment, Dominic has kindly made himself available for the week of Frinton Mission, to be FM site manager, supervising and helping to coordinate everything that takes place in the Marquee on the Greensward.

Duncan Archard - Choirmaster

Duncan comes from a traditional background in church music, having been a boy chorister in Oxford. His taste in music has expanded to include a wide-range of styles since he began teaching music in schools in the 1980’s. Duncan believes that church music should be all-encompassing and reflect as far as possible the wide ranging backgrounds of established congregations as well as those who come new into the church. Even though Duncan lives in Colchester and has been travelling to Frinton since the year 2000, the excitement of coming to a famous seaside town has not worn off!

Stewart Atkins - Caretaker
Stewart and his wife Sue have lived in Little Clacton for well over 30 years. He was caretaker and site manager at St Clare’s RC Primary School in Clacton for 21 years, but started his working life in Holborn, London, in the civil service Trademarks Office. He then turned his hand to being a butcher, and 10 years at Smithfield Meat Market! After taking early retirement in 2017, thankfully for St Mary’s, he changed his mind and joined us as caretaker in January 2018, quickly becoming a reliable and considerate part of our team.