Getting to known us

Meet the Team

We have a dedicated, hardworking, friendly team made up of clergy, staff and volunteers serving here in the Parish

Rev. Chris Ponniah

Vicar / Team Leader

Married to Joy and the father of three children, Chris came to Burnside-Harewood parish as Vicar in May 2019. Chris is originally from Singapore where he grew up in the Anglican Church. The two strong keys in Chris’ life and ministry are the Bible and Holy Spirit. His wife Joy is New Zealand born and grew up in Dunedin.

Chris’ primary role is to provide leadership and direction so that he can help the church fulfil its vision of making lifelong disciples of Jesus. He has a passion for people of all ages and to see their lives changed by Jesus. His other passion is coffee and he will find any excuse to have a coffee with anyone who likes a chat.

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Clergy

Rev. Gerard Jacobs

Gerard is married to Rachel and they have two children (Abi and Matthew) and three grandchildren (Malachi, Selah and Claire). Both Gerard and Rachel have lived in New Zealand for 24 years. After completing his post-graduate studies at Bible College of New Zealand (Laidlaw College), Gerard served as a work place chaplain with ITIM as well as the Mission Personnel Officer at NZCMS (2007-2009). Upon entering the priesthood as a Deacon and Priest Assistant, he served at St. Peter's Upper Riccarton from 2009-2013. While at St. Peter's, Gerard and Rachel were both involved in starting the English language classes to support the migrant community and developed the multi-cultural ministry. He went on to serve as Vicar in various parishes before joining Christchurch Airport as an Aviation Security Training Officer. He now serves as a licenced non-stipendiary priest.

Children, Youth & Family Team

These are the people who run the programmes for the children and young people within our parish. All of our programmes have a firm biblical foundation and all of our team members have undertaken some type of theological study.

Josh Olds

Youth & Young Adults Pastor

Josh is married to Susan and they have one daughter. As Youth Pastor he oversees ministry to 11-18 year olds, which includes our Neos and Prism groups. As Young Adults Pastor he oversees the ministry to young adults and helps disciple them to be followers of Christ in the marketplace.

Intermediate (Prism)

High School (Neos)

Barbara Neville

Families Pastor

As our Families Pastor, Barbara oversees our ministry to families by reaching out and discipling them to be Christ-centred families in the community. She also works as the Children’s Support Worker at Roydvale and Harewood Schools.

Charlotte Rodley

Children’s Worker

Charlotte runs our Lighthouse Kids programme on Sundays and also helps out as a Youth Leader at Neos. She is studying at the University of Canterbury and has been part of St. Tim’s since she was a child.

Philippa Rodley

Tea and Tots Coordinator

Philippa Rodley, a mother and grandmother with a 26 year involvement in this parish, runs our Tea and Tots programme with a team of volunteers who help with home baking, child minding and kitchen duties. Tea and Tots has been running since April 2002 and is held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month in the St. Timothy’s church hall. Philippa works as a nurse at the Christchurch Public Hospital.

about the Tea n Tots group

Pastoral Care

Alison Jephson

Pastoral Care Worker

Alison has worshipped in the parish since 2010 and since her retirement has taken on this lay (voluntary) role. Her vision is to encourage fellow Christians, especially women, in their journey of being life-long followers of Jesus. As well as being available to meet with individuals, whether things are going well or not so well, she is developing a series of 1-2 day retreats for women to encourage them in their faith journey.

Jill McTeigue

Elder Care Coordinator

Jill is married to Ray and they have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Since childhood she has been part of the Anglican church in various parts of New Zealand. At the end of 2017, she and her family moved back to Christchurch to be closer to their elderly parents and became part of St. Tim’s in early 2018.

Any queries please phone Jill McTeigue –
027 848 5769 or 930 8161

Alison McMillan

Lay Ministers Coordinator

Alison began her teaching career in Hamilton before spending just over six years in Singapore with the NZ Church Missionary Society. After her return to New Zealand and marriage she was a stay at home Mum for nine years. They attended St Timothy’s as a family of six from 1976. Following the sudden death of her husband Alison returned to teaching, working at Middleton Grange for twenty-five years until she retired in 2008.

Parish Administration

Lou Godfrey

Parish Administrator

Lou is the person who takes care of things in the office. She is also the person who makes sure there are always biscuits in the tin, lollies in the jar and keeps the rest of the staff team under control. She is the first person you will meet when you visit our parish office. She is the person to talk to if you want to know what's happening in the parish, or wish to hire our facilities.

Noela Rendle

Treasurer

Noela Rendle, as the Parish Treasurer, is a member of the Parish Finance Committee. The Finance Committee brings multiple talents, expertise, and robust debate to the financial and budget tasks required by a busy parish. Noela, with husband, Richard, also enjoys hosting a homegroup and being part of the musical team.

Governance Team

Vestry

The vestry is a team of volunteers who oversee and chart the course for our parish direction. Responsible for taking care of business, they meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Vestry members are elected from our various congregations at our parish AGM.

Sub-Committees

There are four sub-committees – the Finance Committee, the Building & Grounds Committee, the Missions Committee and the St James' Church and Trust Funds Committee. These sub-committees report to the vestry and bring recommendations to the vestry in order that our finances, facilities and missions are well managed.

Address

Parish office:

46 Kendal Avenue
Burnside, Christchurch

Office hours:

Monday to Thursday 9am - 12:30pm
Office closed Fridays and weekends

Social

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