Hello!

It is a great honour to be invited to be Rector of St Andrew's and St Peter's and I very much look forward to moving with my family to the parish in November.

Currently we are living in Westcliff where I work with my husband Rick, who is the Vicar of St Saviour's Church. I have also been a part time chaplain at Southend Hospital since 1997. Our children are Lizzy, who is 15 and at Westcliff High School for Girls and Thomas who is 13 and at Southend High School for Boys. Rick is hoping to be working for the YMCA on the SOS bus in Basildon and will also pursue a new career in illustration and writing. He will not be licensed to the parish but I'm sure we will see him in action from time to time.

I am Essex born and bred having lived in Brentwood, Good Easter (where my dad was a pub landlord) and Chelmsford. Indeed, my parents still live in Chelmsford and I am sure they will join us for worship occasionally. Three happy years at Lancaster University were followed by a year of voluntary work and then 2 years training in Nottingham. I was also fortunate enough to spend 6 months in East Germany in 1989 where I experienced the fall of the Berlin wall: all very thrilling! My first curacy was at All Saints' in West Ham before going to work at St George's Harold Hill. Children and the move to Westcliff came next.

During our time in Westcliff I have been involved in all aspects of the parish but particularly with the young people and music including a children's after school club, Sunday school and youth group; a music group and our church choir. I am helping to organise a week of mission planned for October this year and, of course, all the normal parish things: preaching, chairing meetings, taking services, visiting, leading quiet mornings and study groups, organising bazaars and socials etc. In the past few years I have led the Building Team and have become very involved with the care and upkeep of our buildings so I look forward to learning about my new churches and halls. I also do some work for the Diocese - I am involved with the selection of people who want to be ordained both at local and national level. I also help with peer reviews, people exploring all aspects of vocation and also in small post ordination training groups.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening, reading and keep fit. I love music and singing and play the guitar and recorder. Having lived in Westcliff and been brought up in Essex, I know Shoebury a bit but it will be good to get to know it better. I look forward very much to getting to know you and to working with you. I am sure that God has many good things in store for us in the months and years ahead. Please pray for my family and I as we prepare to move, and for me in my ministry here as I will be praying for you.

    Rev. Louise Williams