On Saturday 29 June, seventeen people will be ordained as deacons by the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, at Southwark Cathedral. Find out more about our new deacons below – please pray for them and the communities where they will serve their curacies.
Croydon Episcopal Area
Debra Elsdon
Debra was born and brought up in Croydon, working in the City until taking up a degree in English Literature at Swansea University. She worked in Personnel and later as a Teaching Assistant in primary education while raising two children to adulthood with husband Ashley. She has volunteered as a writing coach at the South East Cancer Care Centre and fulfilled many different roles in a local amateur theatre company – from props to costumes to directing – even acting. She enjoys gardening, stitching and her book group of more than 30 years’ standing. Debra will serve her curacy at Limpsfield & Tatsfield Team Ministry.
Graham Hains
Graham was born and brought up in Surrey, and worked as a chef for a number of years before studying and gained his Theology degree at St Mellitus College in London. Following this he went to the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield in Yorkshire to complete his theological training. Graham has owned classic cars and has enjoyed restoring and exhibiting for others to enjoy. He has travelled widely and recently found joy in walking and exploring different parts of the United Kingdom and visiting steam railway museums. Recently Graham has found great relaxation in jigsaw puzzles and listening to audio books. Graham will serve his curacy at St Michael & All Angels W St James, Croydon.
Paul Holden
Paul was called the “American dream” in high school due to his ambition to train dolphins at Sea World. Thankfully he was saved in Seattle and God continued to do immeasurably more than he could ask or imagine as he trained to be a teacher then worked in Swansea, Jakarta and Birmingham before becoming a Youth Minister. He is married to Anna and has seven children – Judah, Jacob, Caleb, Josh, Daniel, Jodi-Caila & Hannah. Paul enjoys family adventures with their Labrador, kayaking and snow-hiking. He loves leading worship, playing cards and learning new board games. Paul will serve his curacy at Merstham & Gatton Team Ministry.
Tabitha Singh
Tabitha was born and raised in Oxford, before first moving to Portsmouth and then London, where her Father, Reverend Timon Singh, was posted. Tabitha Comes from a long line of clergy before her and having spent over a decade serving her community as a nurse, she is proud to now continue this chain of generational devotion to God. In her personal time, Tabitha can be found either concocting one of her sensational baked delights, dancing to her favourite Bollywood song, or singing it to herself. Very often all three at the same time! She also takes great pleasure in assisting her community, whether spending time with the elderly or serving the less fortunate at her local soup kitchen. Tabitha will serve her curacy at St John, Shirley.
Vic (Victoria) Stone
Vic has lived all her life in Oxted, with the exception of time at university in Aberystwyth, with short stints living in Reigate and then in Kenley. Vic has worked in health and social care for her entire career, starting as a carer and working her way through to Registered Manager and Operations Manager. Vic worked with young disabled adults and finished her career working with elderly people. Vic is married to Jon and they have a feisty indoor cat called Milo. Vic loves a bit of bird watching, photography and wandering around National Trust stately homes. Vic will serve her curacy at Horley Team Ministry.
Kingston Episcopal Area
Ollie (Oliver) Butlin
Ollie grew up in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He practised Film Production in Cheltenham before moving to London, where he worked for Holy Trinity Brompton. Ollie makes regular visits to Israel, where he began discerning his call to ordained ministry during a year at Bible College. He is married to Zoë, they live in Earlsfield and they enjoy time away with family and friends, preferably somewhere hot. When he’s not on holiday, Ollie likes trips to the pub to watch Spurs, going for walks and listening to a good story or podcast. Ollie will serve his curacy at St Andrew, South Wimbledon.
Dan (Daniel) Grayson
Dan is originally from Manchester and, having studied theology at York St John University, worked for York St John Students’ Union in several governance and information roles, before moving to Cambridge for ordination training. Dan enjoys video games and table-top games like Dungeons & Dragons, and has academic interests in the relationship between video games and theology. When not playing games, Dan’s other interests lie in canon law and studying church governance. Dan will serve his curacy at St John The Evangelist, Angell Town .
Amanda Emberley
Amanda was born in London but was brought up in rural Devon. She initially studied History of Art at Cambridge University before moving to London. When she was 23, she moved to Hong Kong to work with vulnerable young people and addicts. She also spent a year in the Philippines helping to run a safehouse for teenage girls. Upon returning to the UK, Amanda worked in the art world in London, before working for her local church whilst exploring ordination. She is married to James and loves to cook for people and welcome them into their home. Amanda will serve her curacy at The Ascension, Balham Hill.
Zim (Zimuzo) Okoli
Zim has lived in London most of his life, but spent his primary school years in Lagos, Nigeria. Zim would say he grew up always accepting Christianity, but near the time of going to university, there was a shift to a more personal faith in Christ. Prior to ordination training, Zim gained a degree in Mechanical with Nuclear Engineering from Imperial College London, and afterwards worked in Field Development Planning in the Oil & Gas sector. In his spare time, Zim enjoys watching and discussing films, playing volleyball, as well as growing his interest in reading early church literature. Zim will serve his curacy at Holy Trinity, Clapham.
Rachel Gardner
Rachel has spent most of life in the Surrey and South London area apart from time away to study, most recently studying in Bristol. She previously worked in central London for a research company as a social policy researcher and then as children and families minister at her sending church in Surrey. Rachel enjoys meeting up with friends, knitting, trying new crafts, and tasting new teas. Rachel will serve her curacy with Immanuel & St Andrew, Streatham.
Mike (Michael) Addis
Mike was brought up in Abergavenny in South Wales. After a year working with Church Army in Liverpool, he moved to London to study Media and Modern Literature at Goldsmiths University. After this, he worked in PR and then taught English in a number of secondary schools around South East London. He is married with two children and enjoys writing and running. Mike will serve his curacy at The Ascension, Balham Hill.
Woolwich Episcopal Area
Bethany Austin
Bethany is from Widnes, an industrial town on the River Mersey. She has spent the last three years working and preparing for ordination at Liverpool Cathedral. She studied at Manchester and Cambridge and holds masters degrees in Mathematics and the Hebrew Bible. She comes from an Anglican-Roman Catholic ecumenical tradition, and has a particular interest in teaching. In her free time, she enjoys playing the bassoon and knitting. Bethany will serve her curacy at St Bartholomew, Sydenham.
Wayne Barron
Wayne was born in Norfolk and grew up in Hampshire. After studying at Cambridge, he moved to London, where he lives with Ray, his civil partner, and Cookie, their very elderly Norfolk terrier. Wayne works as a school teacher. Wayne will serve his curacy at St Paul, Newington .
Alex (Alexandre) Garziglia
Alex was born and grew up in London. He initially trained as a musician, studying for a degree in music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Following his studies he worked as a freelance musician working in the UK and abroad, and as a music teacher working with children and adults. Alex enjoys the outdoors, architecture, and reading. When he has time he plays the clavichord and organ for pleasure. Alexandre will serve his curacy at St Christopher (Pembroke C M) Walworth.
Jo (Joanne) McCrone
Jo was born in Singapore and came to the UK just before starting secondary school in Lewisham. She is married to Paul and they have three adult children. Jo studied at Goldsmiths College and has worked for several charities including the Children’s Society and the Diocese of Southwark. She has been involved in setting up various outreach projects in the community including a foodbank, English classes for refugees and a study skills group for young carers. Jo is also one of the volunteer Day Chaplains at the Cathedral and in her spare time enjoys gardening, eating out with friends and family but most of all playing the guitar. Jo will serve her curacy at St John The Baptist, Eltham.
Anna Mills
Anna Mills was born and brought up in Cheshire and Worcestershire, moving to London in her mid 20s. She gained a degree in Geography, and went on to work for a number of humanitarian response and development organisations, mainly in fundraising. Anna trained for ministry at St Mellitus College. There has not been much leisure time over the last three years! However Anna enjoys walking, travelling and the cinema in her spare time as well as spending time with family and friends. Anna will serve her curacy at St Mildred, Lee.
Owen Morgan
Owen was born in East London. He left for Norwich, where he gained a degree in Politics and Philosophy, remaining in the city for a further 13 years after graduating. During his time In Norwich, he worked as a Pastor in a non-denominational church for 11 years before returning to London in 2018. Owen worked as Correspondence Manager to the Archbishop of Canterbury before taking on a role within the Evangelism and Discipleship Team at Church House. Owen is married and has two children. He loves people and music, he is a songwriter and performer, and attends live music as regularly as he can. Owen will serve his curacy at Charlton (United Benefice).
