Meet The Team

Rev Rachael Phillips

Rachael leads the church in all aspects of community life (prayer, worship, teaching, pastoral care, serving the wider community, vision etc.) and as a priest she also has a particular ministry in the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism.  Rachael was appointed specifically to start up a new church in Chopwell, and has dreamed of leading an alternative, outdoor church-based around food and children for years. 

Mandy Bayton

Mandy is a passionate advocate for the excluded, overlooked, underestimated and undervalued, ensuring that we as a church remain awake and accountable to these issues. She is our link with the Inclusive Church Network, and a font of knowledge on neurodiversity issues. Mandy is involved with a lot of day to day running of MCC, often leading us in worship and prayer, as well as home educating her four children and training in equine therapy.

Simeon Bayton

Simeon brings his passion for the Bible and decades of experiences with Christian communities to Home Group. As a carpenter he also meets many of our practical needs and offers much sage advice in Engine Room. Simeon is one of MCC's original founders.

Gwen Page

Gwen brings years of wisdom from her many and varied experiences with Christian communities of different backgrounds, both in the UK and abroad, and is helping lead our church into our next phase.

Catie  Raikes

Catie is a deeply committed eco warrior, passionate about ethical living. She helps encourage and educate us as a church to live out this important value. Catie also serves on Engine Room and when not at church, she works for a charity.

Dickie Phillips

Former British Army officer Dickie ensures our community is the very safest place it can be, enabling our most vulnerable people to flourish. Dickie also serves on Engine Room and is our point of contact with Forestry England (in whose woods we meet).

James Gensberg

James was previously the Eco Church champion at another church so felt called to help MCC on our eco journey. James's special interest is food so he is also an enthusiastic part of the food team. When he's not focusing on helping us care for the environment and the food we eat, he is exploring the rich contemplative tradition within Christianity, which he's hoping will develop into some core MCC practices.

Brian Marek

Brian was inspired to join the food team when he heard we try to source our vegetarian food ethically and we want to develop links with local food charities and farmers, as this was his former job with an A Rocha community in Canada! Brian is used to cooking for large numbers and is keen to ensure we are sourcing our food locally and sustainably. 

Rev Canon Tom Brazier

Tom previously co-led MCC and now has overall oversight as Rachael's supervisor. Tom helps with Youth Group, is a regular on Fridays, Explore and  Feast days. Tom is an accomplished ice skater and pilot (of actual planes) but his greatest passion is the games he brings to youth group.