Chris Green
I was brought up in a church-going family in west London, going
to the Anglican church of St. Peter's, Ealing. I remember three services a day
on Sundays- including a sung evensong- with a full choir. I was confirmed
there, and was a choirboy and a server, before leaving for the University of
Southampton to read Biology.
My university days were marked with many debates about
religion and science, and some exciting encounters with fellow-Christians from
other denominations. I met a Catholic medical student called Nikki Devitt at
bible study, and I can honestly say that this group changed my life - Nikki
eventually became my wife.
After doing a PhD at Sheffield, I started a career in
science, pursuing the tsetse fly in a number of African countries whilst
working for Bristol University. Nikki and I lived in West Africa for two years
with our baby daughter, learning about African culture as well as insects.
In 1984 we bought a house in Draycott, and started to
worship at St. Peters, where the vicar was then John Wood. We found ourselves
immediately made welcome, and have worshipped there ever since. I have been a
churchwarden and am now PCC secretary.
I started a new career in Information Technology in the NHS
in 1998. In 2002 I realised that I needed some further instruction in the
Christian faith, and enrolled on a diocesan 'Christian Foundations' course. Our
group covered a wide range of subjects, from Old Testament scholarship to New
Age spirituality. Other members of the group have gone on to readership and
ordination.
I helped to start a bible study group at St. Peter's and
waited to see what I should do next with my new Church Colleges Certificate.
The answer seemed to come when I was asked by Stanley Price to join the
preaching team at Rodney Stoke and Draycott.
I have found that preaching is a most stimulating and
challenging task. Being part of a team gives us the opportunity to learn from
and encourage each other, and I welcome constructive criticism!
Nikki Devitt
I was baptised and raised a Catholic. I was educated at a
North London convent by 'trendy nuns', as my late father called them. By this
he meant, among other things, that they were versed in scripture and encouraged
us to read the bible, which was quite unusual in catholic circles at the time.
(The people were not really thought to have the authority to interpret
scripture themselves.). The sisters inspired an interest and a zest for
studying and reflecting on our faith, which still persists and for which I am
deeply grateful.
I went on to study Medicine at Southampton University. The
university chaplaincy was lively and encouraged debate with people of all
faiths and none. It was here I first met Chris, whom I eventually married 13
years later.
Life as a junior doctor left little time for anything other
than work and sleep. It was only some years later, after marrying Chris and
settling in Draycott, that I rediscovered the fellowship of church life.
Despite my being a 'left-footer', we were both welcomed into the worshipping
community of St. Peter's.
I worked as a GP locally for 7 years when our children were
very young, then I took up my current post working as a geriatrician at Weston
General Hospital in 1994. I was keen to
resume studying, to illuminate my journey of faith, and was introduced to a
group called the Ecumenical Teaching Order. I completed their 2-year course of
bible study and theology, and continue to be sustained by their local group
meetings for study and worship, and their courses at Ammerdown. In the past
eighteen months I have also started to study New Testament Greek with a local
tutor, a retired priest, who enlightens me as much about the scriptures as the
language.
I have been privileged to study with some wonderful
teachers, but always motivated by my own interest, so I was therefore rather
surprised to be asked to join the benefice preaching team last year. However,
as I have been inspired and encouraged by those who have taught me, so I hope
to share some of the insights I have gained with others.