Meet the Team at the Mattishall Benefice

Jackie Clay – Reader

I am married to Steve with two lovely daughters and two lovely step-daughters. I came to faith through Alpha in 2002 and, for me, it was a completely life-changing experience.

I began training as a Reader in 2006 which was tough – being a student again at my age! It was a very challenging three years but also incredibly rewarding. I was licensed in September 09 and I am loving the role. It’s a privilege, a big responsibility and I’m learning everyday.

Tom Cross - Reader

I was born in Cyprus in 1956 and with my father in the RAF moved about a lot as a child. We came to Norfolk in 1969, but started boarding school soon afterwards, so have only been in Norfolk full-time since the age of 18 in 1974.

I did not have a religious up-bringing, but at the age of 17, whilst still at boarding school, I suddenly accepted Jesus into my heart and it turned my life up-side down.

At the end of 1986 I married Susan and a month later we moved to Mattishall and have been in the same house ever since. We now have two children, Matthew and Jenni-Marie, who are studying at university. We have been worshipping at Welborne a dozen years and I am one of the churchwardens there and Susan is treasurer.

I worked for Norwich Union for 35 years. Outside the church my interests include reading, music, writing, foreign travel and making models.

With an overwhelming feeling that I was being called by God I attended a selection day for Reader ministry in the Spring of 2005 and was accepted for training. I was Licensed at Norwich Cathedral on September 6th 2008.

I feel it a great honour, and very humbling, to be called by God to preach His holy word. If I am anything I am a good example of how God can choose very imperfect tools for His perfect work. It is great to be part of a close team dedicated to the spiritual welfare of the Mattishall and Tud Valley Benefice.

Margaret Dixon - Reader

I am not a Norfolk woman, though my mother came from Downham Market. For 45 years I’ve lived in this county, longer than anywhere else, and I don’t think I’ll be leaving it, though I do get ‘itchy feet’ occasionally.

In Lincolnshire, as a child I loved playing at being teacher with my younger brother and sister as pupils, so inevitably that’s what I became for 32years. When I retired, early, it was just before the many great changes in the education system. 10 years previously I had decided to study for a degree in education and psychology with the Open University. Following on from that I offered myself for training as a Lay Reader in the church (Now mostly known as Readers or even Lay Pastors)
On completion of my reader Training and my retirement from teaching, I offered my time and talents to the then vicar, who was, he said, very pleased to have my help, as at that time he was on his own in the then three parishes.

For the last 4 years I have been leading the worship at East Tuddenham more than any other of the parishes. I am in a way their link with the rest of the Benefice.

Over the years my hobbies have included travelling and seeing the world (from Iceland to Singapore) but no necessarily the top tourist spots. I have had spells of sewing, knitting, embroidery, cooking and painting and always found pleasure in reading ‘who-done-it’s’ For 25years I was actively involved in the scout movement, just as a leader then as a trainer of leaders. After that I was a tutor with the Diocesan Training Team for 15 years. Though I am now ‘past my sell by date’ I do not think I have yet reached my ‘use by date’ so hopefully will continue to serve the people of the church in these villages as long as I am able.

Rev'd Gerald Rootham – Assistant Minister

I was ordained under the 'Ordained Local Ministry' Scheme in 2002 and am involved with the leading of Services throughout the Mattishall benefice.

June and I were married in 1971 and have 4 children, three of whom are married. Our youngest, Matthew, is 18 and at 6th Form College. We have 3 grandchildren with another on the way.

Prior to moving to Norfolk in 1994, I spent a year training at Trinity College Bristol, after leaving the employment of a major Building Society having felt the call to work full time in Christian ministry.

Joyce Turner Reader

I was born in Essex, educated there and lived there until 1996. So as you see I am a genuine Essex girl. (although I don’t wear white stilettos and dance around my handbag) – at least not now.

My father was a farmer and I had a wonderful childhood, helping out on the farm, with the animals and the enjoying the fun of harvest time. I went to the local Sunday school, but all I remember about that was the stamps that we received each week.

In my teens I joined a local youth club, which was connected with a church. Eventually I started going to the church with my friends and when I was sixteen I came to know Jesus Christ.

My working life was in banking, firstly in London and then at the local branch in Essex where I lived. Although I had a break to have children I eventually went back to the same branch and stayed working in the area until 1996, when we moved to Welborne in Norfolk.

It was in 2000 that the then Vicar of Mattishall suggested that I might train to become a Reader. My first reaction was that I couldn’t possibly do it. But after much thought and prayer I started training in 2002. I was licensed in May 2005 to serve in the Mattishall Benefice.

I thoroughly enjoy what I do and find it a great privilege to be able to serve God and the people in this area.

Cynthia Wake - Reader

Who am I?  Curious, rural, teacher and leader.

Curious, always learning new tricks, lover of the outdoors, often caught in deep conversations about stamp collecting, languages, boats, maths problems, South America or education. Happiest in the open countryside,listening and watching.

A teacher keen that others have as full a life as I have been blessed with, spiritually, in leisure and educationally.  I’m told my sermons get the point home and I enjoy preparing them.

I like wheels to turn smoothly so will organise things and train others to do them.