Priest Missioner: The Revd Kelvin Woolmer
The Priest Missioner for St Peters with St Cuthberts, Bedford is the Revd Kelvin Woolmer from the Chelmsford Diocese. Kelvin was more recently Team Vicar of St Lawrence Ninefields and St Thomas, Upshire in the Waltham Abbey Team Ministry. He has also been a Chaplain of London City Airport and previously Chaplain to the London Olympic construction site. Kelvin was Instituted as Priest Missioner on Monday, the 20th February 2017 by the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith and Inducted and Installed by the Archdeacon of Bedford, the Venerable Paul Hughes. Kelvin’s wife Jean is a published author under her nom de plume as Jean Fullerton and is now working on some new historical novels.
Reader: Paul Fricker
Profile
Paul studied Theology at Durham University where he was a choral scholar in the cathedral choir. He taught at St Stephen’s College, Hong Kong for six years where he helped with chaplaincy work and was a housemaster of a boarding house. On returning to England, he taught at Norwich School and then became Head of Religious Studies and Lay Chaplain at Bedford High School until he retired. Paul was licensed as a Reader in May 2012.
Paul has been attending St Peter’s for over thirty years and enjoys being part of a friendly, supportive and vibrant community. One of his main roles as a Reader has been to encourage families to be fully involved in the church. With input from others, he has put together an All Age Service which will be held on the first Sunday of the month during the interregnum. He enjoys his pastoral role within the church. Paul has links with St James’ Church. Biddenham where he and his wife Kathy live and he takes an active part in the life of the community there. Paul is sometimes asked to preach at services in other churches or to speak to church groups.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys watching rugby and is a great fan of the Bedford Blues. He pursues his interest in music through singing, organ playing and as conductor of the Biddenham Handbell Ringers.
Paul is very concerned that Christians of all denominations work effectively together, that church services are adapted to attract younger families and that lay people play an important part in the ministry and pastoral work of the church.
Associate Minister: Rachel Simons
Having served my curacy here at St Peter’s I was appointed as Associate Minister in December 2021. As a self-supporting Minister (SSM) I’m normally available on Sundays and Thurdays – including at Services and Time For You as well as occasional Saturday craft events
As a SSM (self-supporting Minister) I work 4 days a week for ERMC (Eastern Region Ministry Course) as an Academic Registrar.
I enjoy line dancing, fitsteps, have recently learnt to crochet (my current obsession) and love watching or reading good murder mystery.
St Peter de Merton Church 