


Who's who
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Revd Preb Samantha Stayte
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Becoming the vicar of Cockington and Chelston is a return to my roots here in Torquay, where my own faith was shaped and formed in local churches. At Torquay Girls’ Grammer School an inspirational RS teacher
set me on a journey to study Theology at Exeter College, Oxford, which was founded in 1315 by the Bishop of Oxford to train priests for his diocese. Over 700 years later, I am the first woman to fulfil his vision!
Initially though, having volunteered as an assistant at a L’Arche community, living in support of a community of people with learning disabilities, I became a RS teacher in Canterbury and later in Oxford where, as my vocation to priesthood, emerged I also became a lay chaplain.
I trained for ministry at Westcott House in Cambridge and had a very happy curacy at St Michael and All Angels in Summertown, Oxford. The I heard the call to “go west” again and have come home: first to the beautiful Lyn Valley Mission Community in North Devon and now to
Cockington.
My hope is that in this changing world, our church communities and our buildings will help everyone encounter the steadfast love of God for all
creation, the love for which we were made, and which we are called to share, by living out the good news that “all are welcome”.
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Vicarage phone: 01803 607709
To email the Vicar please click here
(Vicar’s rest day normally Friday)
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​Revd Paul Evans
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"When I moved to Devon, over thirty years ago, I brought my young family to our new home in Cockington parish, where we have worshipped ever since. We appreciated how lucky we are to live in glorious Devon.
After a long career as a geography teacher, I returned to the classroom, to study for the ordained ministry. Hard work, the degree course opened my eyes to the richness of God’s loving plan for His creation. Ordained in 2014, I have been thrilled to be able to serve exclusively in Cockington parish.
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I am married to Tracey, and together we enjoy walking on the coast path and in Dartmoor. We occasionally manage to see son Matthew and his young family in Yorkshire."​
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Revd Ruth Beckett - curate
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"I have been training as a curate at Preston, St Paul’s and Christ Church, Paignton since being ordained as a Deacon in September 2022. My training incumbent (T.I.) left to take up a new post in London last summer and I have been a ‘curate in vacancy’ since then. My two congregations have been very supportive and encouraging and I love them. However, I would now benefit from learning from a new T.I. to gain the skills needed for churches I lead in the future to flourish.
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I’m originally from the North-West, moving south to read maths at Bristol University and then working with computers before qualifying as a maths teacher. I met my husband, John, at Bristol. He trained as a vet and we both worked in Devon and had two sons before John sensed God calling him to ordination. We studied at Trinity College, Bristol and then lived for four years in Harrogate where John was curate and I was licensed as a Reader. In 2004 we ministered in a benefice of ten rural villages in the Cotswolds, before moving to St Matthias Church, Torquay in 2014. Our sons also now live in the South West.
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In my time off, in addition to family pursuits, I read and belong to a book club and I love cooking and crafting, particularly quilting. More active hobbies include walking on Dartmoor and you may see me around on my e-bike! We enjoy taking time off too in a camper van.
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I have always believed passionately that God gives gifts and calls all Christians to ministry. I thought lay ministry was that call and was surprised and delighted to be subsequently called to ordination. I am thrilled that I will be joining your community and I look forward to meeting you, worshipping with you and learning from you."
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Lay Minister - Vicki Osborne
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Church Warden - Mo Ashcroft
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Head of Music - Stephen Royle
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PCC Chairman/Treasurer - Ron Ashcroft
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PCC Secretary - Patricia Steel
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