Our Ministry Leaders

Revd Lorna BantockMinister
I have been a part of Witham URC for over 30 years now. In the mid 80’s I trained as a lay preacher but then felt a call to ministry where pastoral and preaching work could be combined. After training I was ordained and inducted to Witham URC in February 2003 as an SSM (self supporting minister). My secular work is administration in a small business my husband I run called SAILSetc.

I am really excited by what God is doing as we see evidence of Him moving in people’s hearts and lives. It is a great privilege to be involved in God’s work here and a great joy!

Viv Sollis
Viv SollisChildren & Youth Pastor (part-time)
I am originally from Cape Town in South Africa, but moved with my family to Britain when I turned seventeen. I trained to become a teacher and spent five years in secondary comprehensives in Hampshire and Oxfordshire teaching Religious Education. I have always felt a call to work with youth, but it became more obvious that teaching was not the way forward for me, and I felt that I needed to work with youth out of a school context. That’s where Witham URC came in! My husband and I moved to Essex where we married and I took the youth pastor position being offered, I have now been here for several years. I love the challenges and the joys of the job and its always exciting to see what God has in store for us.
Tracey Eageling
Tracey EagelingChildren & Youth Pastor (part-time)
more info soon
Tony Deighton
Tony DeightonElder - Church Secretary
more info soon
Muriel Heppinstall Elder - Church Secretary
more info soon
Fenella HardieElder - Mission
more info soon
Ian HuntElder - Mission
more info to follow
Ian HardieElder - Treasurer
more info soon
Billy Kennedy
Billy KennedyElder - Property
I was born in Kilmarnock, and married Audrey in 1970. We have three children who live in Switzerland, Belgium and Colchester. I worked as exploration and mining geologist on overseas projects for 25 years. I retrained as a Physics teacher and taught at St John Payne School until retirement in 2008. Interests include Scottish Country Dancing and touring in a motorhome.
Gavin McCall
Gavin McCall Elder - Children & Youth
I started life in London and moved to Kent at the age of seven. From this point, I attended a number of schools and colleges, all of which have closed and been replaced by housing. After university I joined Ford at Warley HQ, followed by Visteon. I’m now enjoying retirement which includes most of WURC IT, travels in our motorhome, and a plan to build a railway layout!

I became a Christian at the age of sixteen, which all started from going to church to see “The French Connection”!

Keith Meredith
Keith MeredithElder - Worship
more info soon
David WellingsElder - Growth
more info soon
Sarah WellingsElder - Pastoral
more info soon

I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me