Staff and Church Officers
All members of Christ Church contribute to the life of our church family as they use their gifts for God's glory. Much of what goes on within Christ Church happens only because of committed members of our congregation who take on pastoral and organisational responsibilities alongside their full-time jobs.
Ministers
David Todd (Vicar) +
I’m David, married to Julia and we have two growing boys and a wee dog. I’ve been part of Christ Church since 2018 and became vicar in 2022. I love the diversity of the church family and it’s been a joy to be part of it and see people from all kinds of backgrounds welcomed and hear about God’s love in Jesus. Outside of the responsibilities with the church family I’m often trying to give a bit of time to exercise and a lot more time to BBQ. Hope to see you one Sunday.
Email David
Scott Bamber +
Hey, I’m Scott and I have the awesome role of looking after the youth at Christ Church! I used to be a history teacher (greatest subject ever) but now have the joy of helping young people grow in their love of Jesus here, as well as having a decent bit of banter together. I am married to Louise, and we have 3 little ones who keep us on our toes. They are less stressful than supporting Newcastle United though!
Email Scott
Matt Bennington +
Hi, I’m Matt and I have the great pleasure of heading up the music ministry at Christ Church! We have a brilliant team of musicians who help lead our sung worship on Sundays and at other events throughout the year. I also oversee the various initiatives we are involved with where we seek to serve our community in practical ways. I’ve been in Cambridge and on the staff team since January 2015 having moved from the “other” city of Oxford with my wife, Sarah, and our two children. I spend much of my spare time defending my love of Radiohead and Watford FC.
Email Matt
Fiona Bourne +
Hi, I'm Fiona. I joined the church in September 2022, having lived for many years at the Sussex seaside. I used to work as a Speech and Language Therapist but here at Christ Church I get to enjoy helping our whole church family care for our children - especially during Sunday Club. I’m excited that we have incredible news about Jesus to share with our children right from their earliest days, helping them see that knowing Him is the very best thing for their lives. I’m also involved in our Tuesday Central group where my role involves encouraging women in the church family to grow in knowing Jesus.
Email Fiona
Rachel Browning +
Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m one of the associate ministers, involved in pastoral care amongst women, our seniors and I also serve on our Mission Support Group. I’ve been at Christ Church for 7 years, but originally come from Gloucestershire. I have a cat who rules the house and I have been trying to learn to play golf for the past 15 years; lack of progress here probably not helped by me viewing it as a social occasion!
Email Rachel
Darren Coult +
Hi, I’m Darren and part of the pastoral staff team. Born in Scunthorpe, I became a Christian as a student, and have now lived in Cambridge for over 20 years! Married to Elspeth, we have two children: Jonathan and Hannah. I worked as a primary school deputy head before joining the team here, where I wear several hats! I lead our ministry to families (alongside Fiona and Scott), oversee safeguarding and also support our church council with aspects of governance.
Email Darren
Niv Lobo +
Hi, I’m Niv, and I’m one of the Associate Ministers. I arrived at Christ Church in 2023, and my role involves helping the Church grow in knowing Jesus and in sharing Him with Cambridge. I’m married to Lucy and we have two daughters: I love bad jokes, reading, watching and talking about films and drinking coffee.
Email Niv
Steve Midgley +
Hello. I’m Steve and am married to Beth. We’ve lived in Cambridge for over 20 years and have three adult children – two married and one in supported living up in Peterborough. A long time ago I worked in psychiatry which shaped my involvement with Biblical Counselling UK (a charity that I serve as Executive Director for 4 days a week). At Christ Church, I preach and am involved in pastoral care. At other times you might find me running on the towpath or out rowing in a single scull.
Email Steve
Michael Nicholson +
Hi, I’m Michael. I help oversee our Small Groups and lead Tuesday Central, Christ Church’s group for 20s-30s. Originally I’m from Northern Ireland, though my accent has taken a battering since coming to England! I began my curacy here in Summer 2020 not knowing I would soon meet and marry my wife, Hannah. I love good films, good books and exercise that doesn’t require any coordination.
Email Michael
Operations
Louis Chan (Operations Manager) +
Hi, I am Louis Chan and I am the Operations Manager. My wife, Man Yi, and I have two young children, Noelle and Timothy, and we first came to Christ Church when I took up a Ministry Trainee year in 2017. Now in my second spell in the office, I oversee the practicalities around church life and the church building. I keep too many bonsais as a hobby.
Email Louis
Charlotte Briden-Fox +
Hi. I’m Charlotte, one of the Office Administrators. My role focuses on administration and communications (mailings, social media, publicity, and website). I’ve been coming to Christ Church since I was 15 and working here since 2018. You can find me bouldering, knitting, or working on my fantasy football team when not at work.
Email Charlotte
Susie Cumming +
Hello, Susie here! Being Office Administrator means I’m involved with lots of the ‘behind the scenes’ support within Christ Church, plus I also get to see lots of the church family at midweek activities, which I love! My family and I have been coming to Christ Church for about a decade, and I’ve worked here for the last year – I’m around every weekday until early afternoon, waving at you from the office!
Email Susie
Tarita Smallwood +
Hi, my name is Tarita. I’m married to Mark with two bubbly primary-aged daughters. I have the privilege of being the Finance & HR Manager for Christ Church (1 day p/w), responsible for providing financial, human resources, legal and wider governance advice to aid strategic planning and decision-making to the PCC and Finance & Standing Committee. I’m a Fellow Chartered Accountant by training and have worked in private practice and the charity sector for nearly 25 years. The rest of the week I am the Director of Finance & Development for Biblical Counselling UK and hold a certificate in Biblical Counselling with CCEF (Christian Counselling & Educational Foundation).
Email Tarita
Hannah Taylor +
Hi, I’m Hannah. I’m working as a ministry trainee at Christ Church, which is super exciting and means I get to be involved in Pathfinders! I’ve been coming to Christchurch for 19 years, so am one of the oldest members of the church family despite being the youngest on the staff team! Having grown up here in Cambridge, I’ve been at Durham University for the last 3 years studying physical geography, lots of glaciers and mountains. In my spare time I enjoy sleeping and playing netball, as well as long walks and spending time with family.
Email Hannah
Shiny Ezra +
Hi, I’m Shiny and I’m a Ministry Trainee at Christ Church involved in Sunday Club which means I get to help our children learn about Jesus week by week. I found my way from the vibrant landscapes of South India to the quaint charm of Yorkshire at the age of 13, along with my family. A passion of mine is cooking ‘spicy’ Indian food and sharing a meal with friends.
I am immensely grateful for my sweet grandmother who introduced me to Jesus at a young age. This year, I’m excited to delve deeper into God’s Word and get to know the Christ Church family better!
Email Shiny
Church officers
Wardens
Matthew Burton and Sarah Hamilton are the wardens at Christ Church.
Treasurer
Tarita Smallwood is the PCC Treasurer and Finance & HR Manager. She is responsible for managing the church finances and is ably assisted by Malcolm Gray (Deputy Treasurer), Rachel Bruins, Charles Hall and Tony Dent.
Parochial Church Council
The PCC of St Andrew the Less, Cambridge, carries responsibility for the church both legally and spiritually.