OUR MINISTER AT CHESSINGTON METHODIST CHURCH IS
Rev Dr Mark Wakelin
Mark was born in North Norfolk. His father was a missionary doctor and his mother a teacher. At the age of six months Mark and his twin sister Mary were taken to Sierra Leone where their father, Paul, worked at the Nixon Memorial Hospital Segbwema and was then transferred to Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya. The family, now including brother Michael returned to Norfolk in 1965.
Mark was educated at Kingswood School and graduated from Nottingham University with a BA degree in Theology. Following a year as a youth worker, he trained for the ministry at Queens College Birmingham. After working in the Lincoln North Circuit, he moved to Bramhall Circuit and whilst there studied for a Master of Education Degree; a Doctorate in Education at the Institute of Education (now part of UCL) followed. During his time in circuit, Mark was also a prison chaplain and later hospice chaplain. Mark moved from circuit work to the Division of Education and Youth as National Secretary of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs from 1995 to 2000. He was Director of the Guy Chester Centre from 2000 to 2008. He was appointed as Connexional Secretary for Internal Relations in 2008-2012 and was President of the Methodist Conference from 2012-13.
Mark returned to circuit ministry stationed at Epsom Methodist Church in the Sutton Circuit from 2014 to 2020 before moving to Chessington in 2020. He has links with the Susannah Wesley Centre at Roehampton University where he had a research fellowship and was a tutor at St Augustine’s College. He is Chair of the Connexional Board of Studies for Methodist Worship Leaders and Local Preachers and Chair of the Conference Review Committee for the Youth Presidency.
Mark is married to Judith and they have three grownup children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include singing, reading, walking and tending his garden and allotment.
Superintendent Minister of the Kingston upon Thames Methodist Circuit
Rev Vindra Maraj-Ogden
In September 2023, Rev'd Vindra Maraj-Ogden joined Kingston Methodist Churches Circuit as Superintendent. She has a wealth of experience in the Methodist church, and the Queenswood School. We asked her to introduce herself to the wider school community.
I have been a Methodist minister since 2005. Before that I trained and worked as a chartered accountant, I have a degree in Business Management. I have not always been a Christian but was educated at a Roman Catholic convent school. In my early twenties, I found myself struggling to navigate some of life’s challenges and was drawn to the church and to an exploration of faith, leading to a decision to become a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I have not always lived in the UK. I was born and raised in Trinidad. All of my family still live there, but it is the UK, where God has called me to serve Him and this has been my home since January 1985. I visit my family regularly but my ties and my life are here. I have loved being a Methodist minister with pastoral charge of churches but about a year ago I felt that God was calling me to something different. After much prayer, a silent retreat and discussion with friends, the chaplaincy at Queenswood became a reality. I am now the Superintendent of the Kingston Methodist Circuit, based at Surbiton Methodist Church.
To contact me email "shmc.office@kingstoncircuit.org.uk"
Chair of District ( London District)
Rev Nigel Cowgill
To find out more about Nigel click this link