David has served All Saints since 2010. Being Vicar of rural Packwood and Hockley Heath from 2000 he learned to love the abiding patience of our Anglican parochial commitment to every neighbourhood. A second curacy at St James Handsworth (1996-2000) taught him that diversity is a thrill, not a threat. Ordained in St Martin’s in the Bull Ring in 1992 and 1993, his curacy there taught him that the church loves but does not own the Gospel.

His parents, a Liverpool artist and an inner-city head teacher, taught him that the world may not be fair, but it is eerily beautiful.

His wife, Jenny, has been a secondary teacher, editor and writer and is a trained prayer guide. Their daughter is a teacher and their son a carpenter. Between them, they try to teach him not to take himself too seriously and, in return, they benefit from his favourite way of procrastinating: cooking.

I was licensed as a Reader on 22 January 2022, having been a part of the All Saints congregation for over 30 years, nourished by the sensitive blend of thoughtful prayerfulness, and communion that characterises All Saints’ worship.

I am interested in the actions that accompany faith and so am a member of the church’s Justice, Peace and Green group, and am particularly caught up in the challenge of how we will achieve net carbon zero before 2030, as required by the Church of England.

My career has been a varied one – I’ve worked as a teacher, librarian, administrator, domestic energy assessor and café manager.  At University, I studied Theology, and it’s been great, recently, to return to structured theological study.

I am the widow of Ralph, who was a Roman Catholic, and have two adult sons.

I found a home at All Saints when my children were small – now they’re all grown up with lives and careers of their own. We felt welcomed and included and found kindred spirits on social justice and the environment, so stayed.

Since becoming a Reader I discovered a vocation as a prison chaplain which fits well with my day job in safeguarding. Prison is where I spend many of my Sundays now, but All Saints is still my spiritual home.