Steve Paynter
I grew up in Hampton, Middlesex, studied Physics at Bath University and taught Physics at Wellsway School, Keynsham, for four years. I was ordained at Wells Cathedral in 1989 after training in Bristol. My special interests are mountain walking, sailing, cricket, sustainable living and natural history. I am married to Jennie and have four grown up sons: Jono, Dan, Matt and Luke.
In my teens I went the Maths and Science route at school and moved away from any faith or belief in God. But science does not offer answers to the deepest questions of life, for example “Why am I here?” or “What is the purpose for our lives?” In seeking answers to these questions I found a personal faith in Jesus Christ while studying in Bath. Trusting in Jesus Christ has proved, from the first, both life enhancing and life changing.
Wai Meng Chow
I went to Bristol to study economics and later qualified as an accountant. After working in Hong Kong for a few years, I returned to Bristol to read theology, during which I was selected for the ministry in the Church. I was ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2002 and my first parish as a Self Supporting Minister (SSM) was St James the Less in Pimlico. Prior to my ordination I was a member of St John’s, West Ealing. I have lived in Ealing for many years so I was delighted at the opportunity to become SSM at St Mary’s in 2011.
I work for an investment bank as a compliance officer in the commodities division. Given my keen interest in both economics and theology, I try to draw parallels and inject insights from both seemingly opposing spheres of thought in my sermons. More importantly, I believe the twin aspects of my calling are firstly, to be a light to the world outside the church and secondly, to be a spur to the church to get out into the world.
My other interests are walking, football (TV couch version), cars (slightly faster ones) and travel.
Angela Barnfather
Lay Commissioned Minister
I was born in Ealing and have lived here all my life. I committed my life to Christ while in the youth club at St. Mary’s. I worked as a primary teacher and am now retired. My interest in children has led to a desire to involve them in all aspects of church life, especially worship.
On retirement I felt called to serve God in a wider sphere of ministry within the church, and in 2007 I became a Commissioned Lay Minister at St. Mary’s.
I have a particular interest in prison ministry and visit a local prison. I enjoy walking, music, reading and visiting Kew Gardens.
Jean Barclay
St Mary’s Administrator
I was born in Lincolnshire and went to the local C of E primary school in a village called Friskney. I attended the church next to the school and was in the choir until I was 15. I came to London in 1975 and joined the BBC and worked there for 16 years, starting off as an office clerk and worked my way up to be Administration Manager at Ealing Film Studios looking after over 1000 staff, mainly the film crews. I left the BBC in 1992 when I had my second child. I joined St Mary’s church in 1991 and quickly became involved in the family life of St Mary’s, helping in the crèche then becoming a Sunday school teacher. I started working in the office here part-time in 1994. The work is very varied, as well as all the church and hall bookings I am often the first point of contact for people contacting the church office for a variety of reasons including baptisms, marriages and funerals, sometimes dealing with all three in the same day!