Launceston Parish

Four Churches, one Parish

Safeguarding Information

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Welcome!

Our Ministry Team

Mother Alison Hardy

Mother Alison Hardy

An ex-sheep farmer from Virginstow, I began in Launceston as a priest in 2018. I love the town, the folk, and of course the breath-taking views. My legs are learning to enjoy the hills. My passion is sharing my faith with those who do not know Jesus: both inside and outside of church buildings. Married to Chris, we continue to farm mainly sheep with help from our daughters and son. Whoever you are reading this, I hope we meet one day. God bless you!

Rev'd Sean Clancy

Rev'd Sean Clancy

James Wonnacott

James Wonnacott

James trained locally through South West Ministry Training Course as a Reader and was licensed in 2019 in Truro Cathedral. James is based primarily in St Stephen’s Church where he is a member of the church council and cares for the maintenance of the church buildings and grounds.

James’ ministry as a Reader extends across the deanery. He enjoys taking a range of services among the many rural churches as well as supporting the united parish of Launceston. He particularly enjoys leading sung Matins or Evensong. If your church has yet to meet James, please do request his presence and he will be delighted to oblige.

Rev'd Helen Davies

Rev'd 'Helen Davies

I have worked and lived in Launceston for thirty years, having grown up in suburban London then moved to Cornwall in the 1980s and trained as a solicitor in Plymouth. I was a member of the congregation of St Mary Magdalene for many years, and involved in the life of the church and the parish in a variety of lay roles. I trained on the South West Ministry Training Course and was - when Covid permitted - ordained Deacon in September 2020.

I will serve my curacy in Launceston Parish and Boyton Benefice, usually alternate weekends, and will continue my practice as a solicitor and partner in a local law firm. I feel incredibly privileged that my ministry has a focus in the workplace, in addition to my responsibilities in parish life.

Rev'd Nicki Farr

Nicki Farr

I moved to Launceston in June 2020 from Callington to take up my post as a curate. Having completed two years of training in theology, mission and ministry with St Mellitus College SW, I am excited to join the team here. I look forward to getting to know the community both within and outside of the church and to share my love of Jesus. I am married to Andrew and we have four daughters.

Rev'd Antony Naylor

Rev'd Antony Naylor

Rev'd Laura Bushell Hawke

Laura Bushell Hawke

Laura Bushell Hawke is a Curate in her final year, based in a multi-parish, rural and coastal Benefice in South East Cornwall with a total electoral roll of approximately 120 people. She trained on a full-time three-year pathway at St Mellitus College, serving as a Senior Student representing the South West at the national College in her final year and was Ordained as a Deacon in 2020 and as a Priest in 2021. During curacy, in addition to regular parish work, Laura has been part of the East Wivelshire Deanery On The Way Steering Group, as well as the Deanery Implementation Team and has served on the Diocesan Working Group for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

As an alumna of the Windsor Leadership Emerging Strategic Leader programme, Laura is connected through the alumni network to senior leaders from all sectors, including the Church of England. This programme gave her an appreciation of how the parish fits into the wider Church of England context, with an awareness of its strategic importance and challenges and the need to maintain good relationships at all levels of the Church and with the communities we serve.

Prior to Ordination Laura ran her own business delivering training in First Aid and Health & Safety across Cornwall and Devon. Laura's previous voluntary experience includes over 12 years as a Commissioned Officer with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Her final post was at the Senior Rank of Squadron Leader, Co-Chairing the National Adult Volunteer Recruitment campaign working with Ministry of Defence Media and Communications personnel and uniformed and civilian volunteers.

Outside of ministry Laura enjoys spending time with her husband George, who works in the defence sector, and children Isabella (14) and Sebastian (10), as well as the family's dog Hope.

Rev'd Mary Williamson

Rev'd Mary Williamson

I was born and brought up in Reading and trained for teaching after my two children had started school. In 1989, I moved to Cornwall to take up my first headteacher post at Werrington School. Later, as headteacher of Meavy School in Devon, I lived in Tavistock for a while before moving back to Launceston.

Throughout my adult life, my faith has been important to me and I have been lucky that through my work and leisure activities (I was a Cub Scout Leader for many years), I have been able to share that faith with others. At various points, I have felt an overwhelming feeling that God wanted me to do more but mostly, I’ve fought against it. However by 2004, I could resist no longer and started to explore my vocation. Initially, I was terrified by the thought that my vocation might be to an ordained ministry but, if God calls, he will support. I started training with South West Ministry Training Course in 2006 and was ordained deacon in 2009 and priest in 2010. I served my curacy in Launceston Parish and was then licensed as Team Vicar until I hit the C of E magic retirement age when, ceasing to be licensed, was granted Permission to Officiate. I then moved away to serve on a House for Duty basis in Abingdon for three years before returning to my beloved adopted county in September 2019.

I am passionate about the Church’s ministry to people living with dementia and have served on the Churches Together in Cornwall Dementia Action Group as well as being a volunteer with the Launceston Memory Cafe.

Rev'd Jess Lancaster

Rev'd Jess Lancaster

After more than 20 years of running away from a calling to Ordination, I finally submitted in 2017 and I have not regretted it for one moment. Ordained ministry is an immense privilege and a real joy. Juggling it with my regular work as a classroom teacher means I do not always have the time I'd like to have, but it is amazing seeing the blessings that flow every day both in the classroom and in the ministry work. Somehow there always seems to be just about enough time. I am looking forward to seeing where God takes me next!

Rev'd Canon Dr Lynda Barley

Rev'd Canon Dr Lynda Barley

Lynda has lived most of her life in the south west but her Cornish family roots have become a stronger part of her ministry later in her life. University education initially took her to York University, University College, London and then Cambridge Theological Federation. She has been ordained for 27 years alongside a varied career as a statistician that began at the Bank of England working as an econometrician. She was a tutor with the Open University for 35 years and her years of ordained ministry started in Southwark diocese, London.

Lynda’s parish ministry continued back with family in the south west but she also served for eleven years as Head of Research and Statistics and coordinating Chaplain for the Archbishops Council. In addition, she was a Chaplain at Southwark Cathedral before being appointed as Canon Pastor at Truro Cathedral and priest in charge of two nearby parishes. She took on responsibilities as mayor’s chaplain and pastorally supported ministry on the Isles of Scilly. She became Rural Dean of Powder deanery having previously been a bishop’s ministry advisor and selector, and an OFSTED school inspector.

Now retired, Lynda remains a Canon Emeritus of Truro Cathedral, a school governor near Truro and a trustee of the Sheldon Retreat Centre. She is enjoying supporting parish ministry, leading Quiet Days and returning to her favourite sport of tennis while spending more time with her husband, children and young grandchildren.

Safeguarding

Launceston Parish Churches’ Safeguarding Officer is Sarah Vinson. Please contact her for any safeguarding concerns or enquiries via the Parish Office: St Mary’s Church Hall, Tower St, Launceston, PL15 8AR on 01566 880244 or directly by email at sv.safeguarding@gmail.com

You can also contact clergy directly:

If you are a young person and you feel unhappy about something happening to you, you can call Childline for help and support on 0800 11 11

Read our full policy here.

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