Who's Who

Ministers

Rector

Rev'd Chris Smedley retired at the end of May 2024 after 22 years as rector of St. Michael's, Breaston and vicar of St Chad's, Wilne with St. Mary's, Draycott.

During the vacancy, Jo Whitehead (see below) will be leading the benefice.

Rev'd Gary Dundas

Gary is a non-stipendiary minister. He has two butchers' shops, one in each village. Gary's primary focus is St. Mary's, Draycott.

Rev'd Maria Przeslawski

Maria is a retired priest with the bishop's permission to officiate. She was born in Breaston and has lived most of her life in the village. Maria has worked as a primary school teacher and taught for a number of years in Long Eaton.

Staff

Steve Lacey, Youth and Community Worker

Together with the Children's Worker, Steve works with children and youth in both villages, and oversees the children's work. He joined the team in September 2021.

He is married to Rachel, with two grown-up children. He has taught in primary schools for many years.

Jodie McConnell, Children's Worker

Jodie joined the team in 2019. Although her title is "Children's Worker", she works together with the Youth and Community Worker pastoring children and young people across the parishes. She has three children, Harrison, Maisie and Oscar.

Readers

Readers are people who, following a call from God, are trained and licensed by the Anglican Church to teach the faith, enable mission and lead in church and society. In our parishes, we use the term "Reader", but in other areas they may be called Licensed Lay Ministers.

Jo Whitehead

Jo retired as a school chaplain in 2023. Jo will be leading the church during the vacancy following the rector's retirement.

She is married to Paul Stuttle (but retains her former surname).

April McIntyre

April is retired. She has a gift for poetry, and loves the contemplative aspects of worship. She is married to Mike.

Parochial Church Councils

St. Michael's, Breaston

Member	Role
Vacancy	Rector
Jo Whitehead	Chairman (during vacancy)
Rev'd Maria Przeslawski	Associate Priest
Stephe Bowley	Churchwarden
Mark Huskisson	Churchwarden
Phil Lees	Deanery Synod Representative
Colin Lowe	Deanery Synod Representative
Paul Stuttle	Treasurer
Hannah Knighton	Secretary
Anne Long	Member & Parish Safeguarding Officer
Rachel Lacey	Member
Stephen Lacey	Member
Laura Newman	Member
Richard Warburton	Member
Laura Holliday	Member

St. Mary's, Draycott

Member	Role
Vacancy	Vicar
Rev'd Gary Dundas	Associate Priest
Kris Bingham	Secretary & Parish Safeguarding Officer
(and others...)