How St Mary's Is Run
Parish life is carried out by volunteers numbering over 100 in total. It's managed by a number of teams whose leaders co-ordinate and communicate mainly through the Parish Church Council (the PCC) to which enquiries and correspondence should be addressed through the secretary, David Kemp (01270 882196 biddulph.police@googlemail.com).
The PCC Chairman Mark Young 
01270 877700 mark.young@forbo.com
The PCC shares the legal responsibilities of the vicar and churchwardens of maintaining the building and grounds and a pattern of orderly and regular worship. There are six elected members, plus two elected deanery synod reps, team leaders, the church wardens team,clergy and licensed lay workers and the honarary secretary and treasurer.
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The Wardens Team The duties of our two churchwardens, Margaret Snowdon (873504 margaret@casaram.demon.co.uk) and Ron Tyson (878516 rontyson@netcts.net) are shared among a team which also includes Norma Haley, June Grocott, Muriel Rhodes and Mark Young. |
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St Mary’s Church Choir 
Leader and Organist Ken Smith
01782 784262 kandssmith@btinternet.com
St Mary's has an enthusiastic choir who lead the singing during term time at the Parish Communion and provide music for special occasions. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 19.30 in the church. If you are interested please contact Ken.
Ministry Support
Baptism Co-ordinator Jan Kermeen 
01270 873706 r.kermeen@btinternet.com
If you or your children wish to be baptised I am your first point of contact. I will try to ensure that families and friends are made welcome so that they enjoy their time at St Mary’s.
Licensed Reader Mike Elkin 
01270 877027 patnmikelkin@hotmail.co.uk
I assist at services at St Mary’s and visit members of the congregation who can no longer get to Church, to take Holy Communion to them. I also conduct funerals and visit families to arrange the service with them.
Pastoral Worker Christine Redstone 
01270 876924 christine@redstone.me.uk
I lead the team which provides pastoral support for the congregation and others in the community. We work with the clergy to respond to individual needs and facilitate the pastoral care of the elderly, with particular emphasis on those in care. We also do our best to ensure a good welcome at St Mary's and to organise transport to and from church, as required.
Children's Worker Gill Smith 
01270 883860 gill616@msn.com
I co-ordinate the children's team. We help children and young people in the development of their spiritual and social awareness and we speak and stand for their interests in church life. We also organise the Sunday School, design and lead family services and exercise a pastoral ministry amongst families with children. We teach stories of the Bible and guide children in prayer. We offer and encourage friendship between children and between children and adults.
Clergy Team
Vicar Father Robin Isherwood 
01270 875748 robinjisherwood@googlemail.com
I see our building as a marker of God’s presence and an expression of God’s Spirit moving through our lives. For me, the priest is a further marker of God’s presence and a further expression of God’s Spirit. I look to encourage everyone who turns towards St Mary’s, in sorrow or in joy, in faith or in doubt. By listening and observing, I seek to discern God’s calling for this parish.
Curate Rev John Gleaves
01270 878169 rev.johngleaves@googlemail.com
After retiring as vicar of Alvanley and Manley, I have returned to my position as curate at St Mary’s, where I started off. I regard my ministry as supporting the other clergy, members of the congregation and the wider community of the Church.
Assistant Priest Rev Dr Bryan Halson
01270 652393 bryan@bbhalson.wanadoo.co.uk
I assist at St Mary’s in a voluntary capacity. I see my role as supporting the ministry of St Mary’s in the community, assisting in the worship services, and (because I have helped at St Mary’s for over 40 years) being a sort of ‘link’ with the past!
Associate Minister Rev Prof Bernard Moss 
01270 882238 B.R.Moss@staffs.ac.uk
I also serve at St Mary's in a voluntary capacity with a particular focus on helping to lead worship. I am a minister of the United Reformed Church and therefore bring an ecumenical dimension to the St Mary's team. I was the non stipendiary minister at Alsager URC for 10 years, and now have my spiritual home at St Mary's.
Our Teams
The Pastoral Team is led by our Pastoral Worker, Christine Redstone (see above)
The Children's Team is led by our Children's Worker, Gill Smith (see above)
The Clergy Team is led by Father Robin (see above). It provides officiants at church services; spiritual guidance and a leadership rôle in the local community. The clergy seek to listen, offering to share the spiritual burdens of those who carry them alone, and to voice the interests of those who have no voice.
The Social Team is led by Jennifer Tyson (01270 875748). This team plans and delivers St. Mary’s social programme and acts as a resource for the provision of hospitality to those who use the church, so that our reputation for fellowship is sustained.
The Outreach Team leads St. Mary’s activities in the field of charitable fundraising, so that we are seen as both enabling and giving. It is led by Muriel Rhodes (01270 872121). It recommends those charitable organisations where efforts are to be focussed during each year, promotes St. Mary’s as a community resource in support of charitable activities and seeks to generate a spirit of generosity.
The Maintenance Team manages the upkeep and security of the church building and grounds, ensuring that all the facilities function effectively and safely, taking into account the needs of disabled people. Its leader is Ron Tyson (01270 878516 rontyson@netcts.net) who organises a team of volunteers and liaises with contracted
workers and administers insurance and other relevant policies.
The Communication Team is led by Father Robin (01270 875748 robinjisherwood@googlemail.com). It manages St Mary’s media (magazine, weekly leaflet, notice boards, website) trying to keep the congregation well informed, and publicising St Mary’s events across the community, in ways that reinforce the spirit of St Mary’s. This team facilitates communication and mutual awareness between the various users of St
Mary's resources.
The Finance Team manages financial affairs so that St Mary’s remains viable and complies with fiscal regulations and our own ethical commitments. Its leader is Amanda Bailey (01782 326048 abailey@ucb.co.uk)
St Mary Mag
Our parish magazine is published ten time per year. Please send copy to Emily Smith - emily.smith141@googlemail.com or Lena Isherwood – lenalena@hotmail.co.uk
Subscription
St Mary Mag is available from Church at a cost of £7.50 per year. Please contact Jenny Read on 01270 873802 to arrange an annual subscription.