CHARACTER + SERVICE + MISSION

Knowing where we are going is important but understanding our past is essential.

Throughout the course we look into the depths of Our Hearts, His Word and His World. One way in which we do this is through our School of Theology when the FORM gap year students and the FORM Plus students learn and share together.  This happens every Monday from 9.30am - 3.00 pm.

The Form 2010/11 course year received teaching from 24 different speakers, both on a Monday and Thursday.  A summary and brief resumé of Form's core speakers for 2010/11 are below:-

Rev Dave Gardner M.A has served in East Anglia for over 19 years and has been at St John’s Woodbridge since 1998. He is keen to encourage new ways of doing church and seeks to encourage and release people into leadership.  He has recently been appointed the Bishop’s Advisor for Fresh Expressions. He has recently completed an MA in ‘Theology and Ministry’ at Durham University

Rev Tricia Shuler BTh MA has been Associate Minister (Pastoral) at St John’s since June 2009. Her postgraduate qualifications are in Pastoral Theology with a Diploma and a particular interest in Health Care Chaplaincy. Her most recent academic work was empirical research into the experience of curates in this Diocese. She has a background of intercession and is currently on the Bishop’s Advisory Group for Healing and Wholeness.

Andy Williams has been the Youth Worker at St Johns Church since 2004 and has a degree in Applied Theology and a Professional Qualification in Youth Work.  Andy heads up Revival, St John’s youth congregation, which involves leading Vision, Rock Solid and Sunday Cell groups.  Andy also organises and leads the youth Alive Festival and youth away events for St Johns, such as Soul Survivor and overseas mission trips.  Andy is currently studying for an MA in Missional Leadership.

Karen Gardner BEd degree qualified, is a professional counsellor with over 22 years experience and is currently the Counselling Team Manager for Inspire, a Christian counselling service based in Ipswich . Karen has a diploma in pastoral counselling, diploma in working with survivors of childhood abuse, Professional diploma in client-centred psychotherapy, and is BACP Accredited.

Andrea Skevington is an author and a member of St John’s Woodbridge. She graduated at Cambridge University with a degree in English Literature. She has recently rewritten the ‘The Lion Classic Bible’ and other work includes The Story of Jesus, books on happiness and friendship as well as poetry.

Jos Saunders CLC/ACC is an accredited Leadership and Career coach with more than 10 years coaching experience. As well as having held the position of Leadership Coaching Manager, setting coaching standards, strategic direction and designing training programmes, Jocelyn now runs her own business and is an associate coach and trainer for several other companies. 

Sarah Burnham-Slipper is one of the co-leaders of the creative arts team at St John’s who has a passion to use arts and crafts to express our Christian Faith.  Sarah was a speaker at the Alive 2011 festival, providing a practical teaching session on ‘Creativity within the church’.

Ivan Fearn, FCCA assists Tracey in leading Form.  Ivan has also led teaching sessions on ‘End Times Views’ at both Form and at an Alive Festival Forum.  Ivan has co-led the two Form Retreat weekends during the 2010/11 course year and will lead the Form gap year students during the Romanian Mission trip in July 2011. 

Tracey Fearn, IPD studied Business Studies and is qualified through the Institute of Personnel Development. She is currently studying for the St John’s Nottingham Christian Certificate and is the current Form Leader. 

Andrew Lord BA Hon Oxon read Physics at Oxford University and is currently responsible for British Telecom’s optical transmission research. He coordinates the music ministry of St Johns, including organising the multiple bands, including the youth band.

Rev Alex Marshall BSc read Physics at University and was a Physics teacher for 42 years.  Alex and his wife Christine, who is also ordained, lead yearly retreats for St. John’s Woodbridge and other churches.  Alex enjoys using scientific models to illustrate biblical principles.

Rev Chris Hill is an experienced bible teacher and has led Bible tours of Israel for 25 years. This experience has greatly enriched Chris's ability to present the Hebrew background to the Scriptures in his teaching.  In addition to this, radio and television work with Trans World Radio, UCB, Inspiration Channel, Premier TV and Revelation Television has brought Chris's ministry to many other countries of the world.

Rev Matthew Firth MA BTh read astrophysics at Cambridge and theology at Oxford and currently serves as curate as St Matthews.  He has a unique ability to make sense of the ongoing debate with Dawkins, Stephen Hawking and others, which can help us in our own understanding and engaging with those of a scientific mindset.

Mrs Sheila Lloyd, M.A is a Reader at St Andrew's Church, Ipswich. Sheila has an M.A. in adult Christian education and has had experience in running courses for lay people for some years. She has previously run courses for local churches and for the Diocese of Chelmsford

Rev Tiffer Robinson was ordained in 2010 and is curate of Yaxley church, which is one of eight parishes.  Tiffer Robinson, one of our youngest ordained speakers at Form, brings a vibrant approach to theological teaching.

For more information about School of Theology please contact us - form[at]stjohnswoodbridge.org[dot]uk