Deacons at Surrey Chapel

Surrey Chapel Deacons

Surrey Chapel currently has 7 deacons. The post of 'Deacon' is described in part by this extract from Surrey Chapel's constitution:

"Deacons are appointed to serve the Church through taking particular responsibility for designated practical, administrative, pastoral and other similar functions."

David Rimmer

David is the church secretary. David writes: “I have been referred to by Pastor Tom as his ‘barrage balloon’. I think this means that I attract all the day-to-day flack that could normally be dealt with by the Pastors to the detriment of their ministry. Understandably I prefer to use the Acts 6 definition for the work I do. I have been married to Alison for 30 years, she works in the Young Church team and we have two grown-up sons, Christopher and Stuart, who are both committed Christians.” (written January 2009)

Gill Blake

Gill is our Young Church deacon, coordinating the children's work each Sunday and leading the Young Church team. She is headteacher of Cringleford Voluntary Aided Primary School. Gill is also involved in the church music, playing the oboe, and a member of the Pastoral Support Group. She has the misfortune of being a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur. (written February 2009)

Norman Comfort

Norman is the Church Treasurer, heads up the Treasury team and is a key member of the Church Management Team. Norman comes from a background in business, having run his own company manufacturing specialist electronic components, and brings invaluable knowledge and experience in employment practice and financial matters to his work for the church. He took a leading role in establishing the legal basis of the church as a charity and is a Trustee of the Surrey Chapel Trust. Norman is married to Pat; they have one son, who, in line with a family tradition, is also called Norman. (written February 2009)

Brian Norman

Brian is the deacon with responsibility for overseeing the maintenance of the church property. He is also a member of the Church Management Team Brian is recently retired from his work as estimating director for a building firm. He and his wife, Pat, have two daughters and three grand-daughters. (written February 2009)

Jackie Garnett

Jackie and her husband Tony lead Surrey Seniors and, as deacons and members of the Pastoral Support Group, have particular responsibility for visiting and practical care of the older church members. Jackie is also a member of the church Visiting Team and liaises with the visiting co-ordinator as to when visits should take place and to whom. Jackie and Tony have two daughters and two teenage grandsons. (written February 2009)

Tony Garnett

Tony and his wife Jackie lead Surrey Seniors and, as deacons and members of the Pastoral Support Group, have particular responsibility for visiting and practical care of the older church members. Before retirement, Tony was a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and worked as Financial Director for a group of companies, operating wholesale and retail outlets supplying automotive parts and accessories to trade and retail customers from branches throughout England. (written February 2009)

Heather Jones

Heather has responsibility for coordinating visits to those unable to attend church, both short-term and longer-term. She is a member of the Pastoral Support Group and, as a trained counsellor, she supports and mentors people with pastoral problems within the church family. Heather is married to Chris; they have two daughters and two grandchildren. (written January 2009)