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Meet the Team

Vicar:  With great joy, Holy Innocents Church announced the appointment of a new Vicar.  Rev. Kesari Godfrey. He and his family moved in over half term in 2010.  The service of licensing took place on 15th November.

The process leading to the appointment of Godfrey (as he prefers to be called) has taken a great deal of time, thought and prayer. We are, however, certain that we have found a faithful servant of God who will bring a broad range of both Christian and life experience to the post. Godfrey was born in 1973 and originates from Southern India. He has qualifications which make truly impressive reading, including BSc in Chemistry, an MA in English literature and three Theological degrees
including a PhD achieved at colleges, seminaries and universities in India, the USA and Birmingham.



Godfrey was ordained as a Deacon in 1999 and subsequently ordained Priest in 2005 in the diocese of Kanyakumari – Church of South India. Godfrey comes to Southwater from his current position as Assistant Curate at Priory Church of St. Mary, Bridlington where he has been engaged since July 2007, serving the large parish with approximately 130 people worshipping at the main service. For approximately two years of Godfrey’s time as Assistant Curate, the church was without a Rector. The current curate at St. Marys, Rev. Adrian Cragg says that, ‘Godfrey observes continually the significant cultural differences between his home church context and UK parish life set in a predominantly secular society. He thinks deeply about these differences.’

Godfrey believes that his own background is not a hindrance to his ministry indeed he say’s, ‘once you’re aware of the indigenous culture it can be an advantage.’  When considering which qualities would make a candidate suitable for the post at Holy Innocents, the leadership team laid a great deal of emphasis on the need to attract more families and young people to the church. Godfrey addressed this in his application saying, ‘I love children and youth and I am committed to teaching them Christian values and way of life.’ Anthony Halford, churchwarden at St. Mary’s states that ‘with his own young family, Godfrey has a natural access to youngsters and his gentle nature encourages and engages them.’

Godfrey is married to Pradhma and they have two children, Emy and Evans. Godfrey has an immensely warm pastoral heart, listens carefully and closely to people’s needs and spends time with them. He is a gifted preacher; his sermons are accessible, humorous and relevant.’   When considering the requirements for ‘Mission/Evangelism’ in Southwater,
Godfrey adds ‘I fully agree with Archbishop Temple when he says that the church is an organisation that exists for its non‐members. Churches need to be both inward looking and outward looking – because God loves us and those around us.’ Godfrey applied for the position at Holy Innocents for a
variety of reasons not least because he believes that ‘he will enjoy guiding the people of Southwater towards God and His Kingdom.’

Godfrey lists among his interests and hobbies, ‘writing and having published academic articles.’ Godfrey enjoys ‘reading, reflecting, walking, spending time with children and chatting to friends.’

His previous church leadership team speak of his deep Christian faith, his academic background and the utter joy he has in his ministry. ‘He opens a window on the wider Anglican world and brings infectious cheerfulness’.
Derek Blow, Churchwarden

Lay Reader:  Andrew Meredith

I divide my time between church activities, work (I'm a finance manager in a large insurance company - no prizes for guessing which one in Horsham!) and music  -  playing the clarinet is my greatest passion and I play in a number of local groups and orchestras, including the Horsham Symphony Orchestra. I'm also quite likely to be found on the organ stool at Holy Innocents or trying to find the time to listen to yet another piece of classical music I've found on the internet. Time permitting I too like good food (Indian or Italian), walking and cheering for the other side from Dominic when England play France at rugby. Though not as travelled as some of my colleagues I have been to New Zealand twice and hope to get back there some day.                                                     

Church Secretary:  Linda Sheppard

I was born in Lancashire and lived there until the age of 19 when I went to Liverpool Polytechnic to study for a degree in Applied Biology. After graduation I went to Harper Adams Agricultural College in Shropshire to do a Post Graduate Diploma in Crop Protection. For the last 20 years, after leaving college, I have worked as an agronomist in Sussex, Surrey and west Kent. This involves advising farmers on all aspects of growing their crops. I am married to Peter and we have 2 children. We have lived in Southwater since 1998. In my spare time I try and keep the vegetable patch in order, play the cello for the Horsham Symphony Orchestra, and sometimes manage to play a bit of tennis.

Church Warden: Debbie Moore

Although I haven't travelled extensively, I have seen a few other countries and would love to return to Venice in Italy as I loved the feeling of being surrounded by water.


Church Treasurer: Tony Ediss

I have lived most of my life in Sussex, moving out of London in 1957 to the then New Town of Crawley. I served a five year student engineering apprenticeship and studied mechanical engineering at Crawley College. In 1969 I married Margaret and moved to Burgess Hill, where we were blessed with two children, a son Keith and a daughter Hazel. We had a further move to Uckfield in 1984, where we were involved with the local Scouts and Guides. In 2009 I retired from my work as a design engineer in the petro-chemical industry and moved with Margaret to a smaller home in Southwater, where we now able to see more of, and enjoy our two grandchildren.
I have been involved with my local churches since about 1960, and am enjoying the fellowship and friendliness of Holy Innocents. I enjoy walking, and am interested in astronomy and space flight, model railways, and planes.  

 Berevement Visitor:  Brenda Yellon

I have lived in Southwater for 8 years. Before that I lived in London and in 
Switzerland near to Basle for 18 years. 
I speak German and Swiss.  I worked as a nurse in Switzerland (in a Private Hospital giving long term care). I was a member of the Swiss Red Cross.  I recently trained as a bereavement counsellor in Worthing.

I share my house with three Miniature Dachshunds and in my spare time I like Reading, Walking and Gardening and having my 10 year old Grandson to stay from Austria for the summer.