Our Team
We welcome the contributions of each member to see our church flourish. Together, we play our parts, for the good of the whole. You are welcome if you are in a season needing rest or a season of service. There are many ways to serve in our community from helping to run our weekly services to pastoral care and preaching. Please talk with the staff team as you consider how you would like to get more involved.
Our church is led by:
Staff Team
Our Staff team has the responsibility for overseeing the ministry affairs of the parish.
Rev John Stanley, Rector, john@paddington.church
John comes to us with a long history of Christian ministry in a variety of places, including Darlinghurst, the United States, Melbourne and most recently Tasmania where John has been the Senior Associate Minister in the Parish of Lenah Valley. John is married to Alison and they have three adult children. John is keen to continue the parish’s commitment to social justice issues, the ministry of women, and engagement with the local community.
Jaimie Laverty, Children & Families Pastor, jaimie@paddington.church
Jaimie is our Children’s and Families’ Pastor working two days a week at the Parish. Jaimie co-ordinates our SRE provision at the local school, leads our children’s work in the Afternoon Service and supports the Something New Community. She is passionate about young people flourishing in their relationship with God and in their own individuality. When Jaimie is not working at the church she is teaching dance for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation with young people of refugee backgrounds. Or she can be found at the beach with a good book.
Dr Byron Smith, Assistant Pastor, byron@paddington.church
Byron assists with preaching and pastoring in both our morning and afternoon services. He works one day a week in the parish while dividing the rest of his time between parenting, public speaking and the pitter patter of tiny (insect) feet. He has a doctorate in Christian ethics on emotional responses to climate change. He frequently speaks and writes about following Jesus in a warming world. He’s authored a number of scholarly articles and book chapters and has joined in creative peaceful actions against new coal projects. He has two worm farms and three bee hives and a regular podcast. He loves Five Ways and chatting with locals about religion, politics and the weather.
Jessica Carroll Smith, Community Pastor, jessica@paddington.church
Jessica supports our local community life and runs our Something New monthly services. She loves using her organisational gifts to build community, and to encourage connections. Jessica works 1 day per week for the church, she’s best contacted on a Thursday or Sunday. She lives in the Church Rectory.
In her other time, Jessica works as a freelance Project Manager for individuals and small businesses. She is married to Byron and has two primary aged children.
Parish Council
Our Parish Council is the governing body for the financial and property affairs of the parish. The 2021 Parish Councillors are Lyn Arcidiacono, Isabelle Bennett, Gina Frampton, Sharon Howe.
Wardens
Our Wardens are on the Parish Council and are responsible for administering the financial and property affairs of the Parish. The 2021 Wardens are Linda Davies, Bernard Stewart and David Triggs (Rector’s warden).