Sam Dickinson
Sam is the minister of St. Andrew’s and is completing a training post (curacy) at Christ Church Blackburn. He prepared for ordination at St. Mellitus College and has previously studied at Oak Hill Theological College. Sam is married to Emily and they have four children. Sam is delighted to be back in the North and enjoys cycling, walking, curry and dark beer. He frequently over-estimates an appropriate length for a family walk.
Andrew Raynes
Andrew is the priest-in-charge with overall responsibility for St. Andrew’s. As well as keeping a careful eye on Sam, he is also vicar of Christ Church Blackburn. He is married to Chantal, and they have two grown-up children, Tim and Livvy. He loves walking in the Lakes and running along the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Shona Hannant
Shona is the Children and Community Worker at St. Andrew’s. She previously worked for a church in Dagenham and has recently moved north. As well as teaching children on Sundays, Shona enjoys visting local schools and finding ways to connect with the local community. To relax she loves a walk in the countryside and a pub lunch.
Janet Smith
Janet is one of two wardens at St. Andrew’s. She was born in Darwen and came to know Jesus for herself in her thirties, having been attending St. Andrew’s for about a month. For fifty years Janet lived and worked on a farm just outside Blackburn, as well as working in a school and a doctors’ surgery. She enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Gerie Vincent-Bancroft
Gerie is one of two wardens at St. Andrew’s. She was born in Haiti and has lived in various countries. Blackburn is the part of the world she has called home since moving to the UK in 2001. She’s married to Graham and has two children. She is a retired medical doctor and her passion is to teach languages. She loves music, reading, singing and knitting.
John Lewis
John is the treasurer at St. Andrew’s. He was born in Abergavenny, South Wales. He first came to Lancashire as a student apprentice with the Ministry of Defence, based at the Royal Ordnance Factory in Lower Darwen in 1966. He joined St. Andrew’s after moving to the parish in 1978. He was first elected treasurer in 1995 and has served, with a break because of work, ever since.
PCC
St Andrew’s is served by a Parochial Church Council of eight people: Marjorie Denton, Sam Dickinson, John Lewis, Pam Scard, Marion Smith, Janet Smith, Lorna Sibanda, and Gerie Vincent-Bancroft.
Sidesmen
The PCC was delighted to appoint Bill Gaskell and Iain Watt to this role. We are grateful for all their practical service each Sunday, helping us get ready to welcome people in.