Staff and Leadership

Please find below an introduction to our church leaders and staff members.
 
David   Ruth

David Thomas - Vicar 

 

Ruth Hulme - Children's Minister

Born in West London, eldest of four siblings. Most of my well spent youth was playing football, eating chocolate, playing music, hanging with friends, and being a part of church. 
 
I got a Marketing degree from Middlesex University. Sang in the choir on a Delirious album. Didn't make it as a footballer or a rock star. Ended up working for a Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Data company where I stayed for 11 years.
 
During this time I met Vikki, joined an Anglican Church, got married, felt called to become a vicar, continued to be very involved in church.
 
In 2017 we said goodbye to London and moved to Bristol where I studied at Trinity College. Our boy Noah was born. In 2019 we moved back to London for my curacy. We spent 3 years in Hounslow West at Hope Church Hounslow. Our daughter Grace was born. We survived a global pandemic. Ate lots of chocolate, played lots of football and music. And did our best to love Jesus, our church and our community. 
 
In June 2022 we moved from London to Bedford where I am extremely blessed to be the new vicar of Christ Church.
 

 

I spent the first ten years of my life in West Lothian, Scotland and I was later brought up in Lancashire. In a primary competition I won an award for poetry recitation and ever since primary I have most enjoyed story writing, drama and dance.
I chose to study at Cliff College and completed my BA Theology in 2018. I was proud to have achieved a 2:1 and a 1st in my dissertation on the persecuted church. I am keen to do my part in fulfilling God's great commission, and be a practical theologian in the 21st century using my vision for a creative church, with the emphasis on reaching children.
I have used my passion for performing arts in children's ministry since volunteering working for St Stephen's Society, NISCU and The Methodist Church as well as specialising in Mission Placement during my degree.
Through Cliff College I met my husband Benjamin who is also passionate about mission. We are both happy to be settling in Christ Church Bedford.

     
IMG 4218a   IMG 4176

Pauline Grimley - Parish Administrator / Office Manager

 

Laura Jewell - 18-30's Pioneer

Born in Henley on Thames, educated in Guildford, Surrey and Aberystwyth, I came to Bedford for work over twenty years ago. I taught History and other humanities subjects at Harlington Upper School from 1989 to 2011, when I decided to leave to do other things and to escape the increasingly frequent changes in education.

I joined the staff team as part-time office manager in spring 2013 and have come to understand what the job entails. As far as I can gather I am expected to know everything and everyone at Christ Church, but people are very understanding when I don’t know the answer or can’t give them what they want, immediately.

I am married to Vandon, who is often to be found up a ladder at church and the newest resident of our household is Harpurr (born June 2013) the one real feline in our cat and book filled home..

 

 

     
IMG 4464   vandon
Dawn Hire - Bookings Administrator   Vandon Grimley - Site Manager
 
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Kay Berrington - Church Warden

 

Andrew Russell - Church Warden

     
 
 
   

If you need to contact the Church please visit the Contact Us page.

Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Our 9:00am service is traditional in style and lasts about 45 minutes.

Our main Sunday family service starts at 10:30am and runs for about 75 minutes, everyone gathers together at the beginning of the service. After a short time of worship together, we divide into different teaching and worship groups as children up to school year 11 leave.

At our all-age services (60 minutes), everyone stays together for the whole service. Our weekly notice-sheet gives details of all important events happening in the near future and some guidance on topics for prayer.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions. We are proud to be a certified Fair Trade Church.

Our 7:00pm Sunday evening service runs for about 75 minutes and adopts a more contemporary style with a focus on deeper worship and teaching.   

 

What happens to the kids at church?

Children

We have a fantastic programme for the kids at the Church on Sunday mornings during our 10.30am service:

Imagine -  Our weekly group for babies to 3 year olds, parents are welcome to stay with their child, if they like.  They meet in the main hall 
Wonder - Our weekly group for those in school years R-3. They meet in Rooms 2-3
Marvel - Our weekly group for those in school years 4-6. They meet in Room 5 (upstairs)
JTeam - Our weekly group for those in school years 7-11. They meet in Room 6 (upstairs)

The children and youth stay with their parents at the start of the service as we worship together for the first part of the morning. Someone will announce when the children and youth should go to their groups. You will need to go with your children and register them, the first time they attend. 

For more information about what is currently happening in the children's work please visit the Children's Ministry page and for the youth work please visit the Youth Ministry page.

What about accessibility?

There are parking spaces next to the church halls but for the 10:30am service a larger car park is available at Castle Newman School (south site) just a few yards along Goldington Road. We have step free access from both Denmark street and Dudley street and there is space for buggies and wheelchairs in the Hub area of the new halls. There are baby changing and accessible toilet facilities and a lift to the first floor. Our sound system incorporates a hearing loop.

Getting Connected


Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries: