Rev Lee Batson
TEAM RECTOR
As well as being our Rector, Lee also serves as the local Area Dean and the World Church Partnership Officer for the Diocese. He has a particularly strong connection with the Anglican Church in Kenya. Lee is married to Stephanie, and in his spare time enjoys watching cricket and spending time in London.
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Rev Olivia Maxfield-Coote
TEAM VICAR
Olivia has particular responsibility at Epping Upland Church but also works across the team. She was born and bred in Cornwall but Epping has always been very special to her as her family originate from the town. Olivia has a heart for the Anglican Communion worldwide and is particularly interested in animal theology and feminist theology and contemplative spirituality.​
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Rev Tom Warmington
TEAM CURATE
Before training for ordained ministry Tom was a journalist and producer for the BBC and enjoyed a spell leading a diocesan communications department in the Church of England. He is married to Allula and they have two young boys.
We seek to be a friendly and welcoming church and we hope that we will do a good job of saying hello when you visit us. If you would like a headstart then these are some of the faces likely to be leading services.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Bob Taylor
READER
Bob is the Minister in Charge with pastoral care for St Alban's in Coopersale. He is also the Local Advisor for Readers & Candidates in the Epping Forest and Ongar Deanery, as well Deanery Treasurer. Bob is Vice-Chairman and a trustee of Christians Aware, an interdenominational educational charity that works nationally and internationally to provide opportunities for people to become aware of the needs and gifts of God's people everywhere. In his spare time, Bob works for Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.
Diana Lowry
LICENSED LAY MINISTER
Diana has been an enthusiastic member of St John's Church choir, along with her husband, for many years. She also plays flute in 'The Band', the orchestral instrument group that provides the accompaniment for UpFront services, and runs the Sundays at Six program. She is a retired GP and is always pleased to be asked to conduct funerals. You will often see her around St John's during the week.
Steve Snooks
LICENSED LAY MINISTER
Steve works across the Team but particularly closely with our Team Vicar Olivia Maxfield-Coote at All Saints in Epping Upland. Steve is a retired NHS Consultant of 27 years and overall an NHS doctor for 40 years specialising in breast and bowel cancer and still works as a breast and general surgeon. He is a trained barrister and paints watercolours and acrylics. Steve lives with his wife in Epping and has two grown up children.
Jo was authorised as a Pastoral Assistant in Chelmsford Cathedral and commissioned in St. John's in October 2017. She studied Pastoral and Practical Theology at Heythrop College. Jo also works as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist having trained at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation and is also a Couple Therapist. She enjoys long distant walking, music and the theatre.
