ABOUT US
What you need to know about us begins with welcome. We often say, “There is room, with us, for you!” You don’t have to change or believe a thing to start a journey of faith here. Come, listen, get to know a few people — even doubt, wrestle, and ask hard questions. We’re a joyful, intergenerational community who love God, each other, and our community.
We invite you to get to know God a bit. He knows you, but knowing facts isn’t relationship — that happens through experiencing faith alongside others. We’re not perfect, but we’re real, with a long history of caring for each other and our wider community — which includes you.
We’re a joyful, evangelical Anglican church, teaching the faith found in the Bible and the Creeds — though our community includes many Christian traditions, and people with no label at all. Whether you already love Jesus or you’re just curious, we welcome you with joy. God is already calling you — with us, we invite you to listen.
Participation in God’s family is one of our great joys. People often ask about baptism, communion, confirmation, weddings, and funerals — the milestones that mark belonging to the church, and the church belonging with you. Jesus is present at these important moments in life, just as he promised: “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
If you’d like to explore connecting with God, or want to know how we mark these milestones, contact the office (reception@stchristophers.org.nz).
CLERGY
Vicar - Rev Dr Joshua Taylor
Kia ora, I’m Joshua. I am married to Jo, and we have three daughters: Phoebe, Esther, and Eve. I was born and raised in Canterbury and love living here in beautiful Christchurch. I have experience in youth ministry, as a spiritual director, and several years as a Vicar in Timaru. I also care about good governance, leadership, and theological education and I serve on the board for Laidlaw College. I am passionate about preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and helping others grow as followers of Jesus. In my spare time I really enjoy fishing for trout and running.
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Associate Priest - Rev Dr John Fox
John was raised in Westport, Christchurch and North Canterbury, and comes originally from a Pentecostal background. He has been an academic, worked in family and community restoration, public policy, and children’s and youth work, as well as stints in pastoral care for students and disabled people. He was ordained in 2018. He is Priest in Charge at St Christopher’s, and Senior Ecumenical Chaplain at Canterbury University. He is married to Emma, and they have one son, Joshua.
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STAFF
Stephanie Tiong: Children’s & Families' Minister
Stephanie first arrived in Christchurch as a college/high school student attending Middleton Grange; then university. She and Paul (Thompson) have two lovely daughters, Zoe and Zara. Stephanie, here for well more than thirty years has a back ground in psychology & counselling working in Mental Health & Disability, as well as lecturer in Health Sciences. She has experience in children’s and families’ ministry with Christchurch Community Church, not far from here.
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Jack Hollis: Senior Youth Leader
Jack leads our Forge Youth Ministry on Wednesdays, and our Oasis Ministry (Children’s Ministry on Sunday Mornings during 10.30am Services). He also does 24/7 Youth Work at Merrin School. Further, Jack leads the Junior Trek (School years 1-4) in our Holiday Programmes. He has a Bachelor of Theology from Laidlaw College, and is a Youth Delegate to General Synod.
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Reuben Maddock
Reuben leads Embers, our intermediate ministry, with a great team of leaders, for both Tuesdays and Sundays. Reuben has a Bachelors of Theology at Laidlaw College, and comes with a variety of leadership experiences. Reuben grew up in Lincoln and his hobbies include reading and study of Scripture and dead theologians.
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Cam Murray
Cam grew up at St Christopher’s. Along with working as the facilities manager, Cam coaches rugby and is hands on raising his and his wife’s two lads! Cam’s joy and positive can do attitude is such a great gift to our parish!
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Emma McBride
Emma McBride has grown up in the church, and has been and is heavily involved in music and theatre at a noted level in the city. As well as serving in our worship team, Emma joined the staff as the parish administrator in 2021, bringing a great energy and joy to the office engaging across the challenges faced by this role.
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Barbara Price
Barbara has long been a part of St Christophers. After many years in the financial industry, she joined the church and divides her time caring for our church and overseeing a gymnastics gym. Her entire family is involved in the church, and she has a ministry mind far wider than our finances!
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Miriam Maddock
Miriam, having grown up in our ministry, is an Embers intermediate volunteer leader for both Sundays and Tuesdays. She was our Embers key leader, but is focusing on 24-7YW at Westburn now. In the past she led our Senior Track (years 5-8) of our holiday programme. She is studying at Laidlaw College, and is married to Reuben.
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VESTRY
Vilna Gough-Jones
Vilna, a parishioner of 30 years with many family ties to St Christopher’s and has taken on numerous different roles within the church. Currently she is a Liturgical Assistant (lay service leader), prayer advocate, encourages community building events, Life Group Leader, been a member of vestry since 2016 and loves St Christopher’s as her spiritual home. She has three married children and five grandchildren.
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Georgina Ennor
Georgina is our Bishop’s Warden, and longtime member of St Christopher’s, joining us in 2000. She completed 53 years as a registered nurse, and 24 as a midwife in the Christchurch Neo Natal Unit, and served on vestry for many years. She was Provincial Commissioner of Guides NZ East-West Canterbury, and received her licentiate in Theology with Honours in 2012. She is married to Laurence, a Presbyterian minister, and has 3 children and 11 grandchildren.
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Laly Samuel
Laly, has been a member of St. Christopher’s since 2005. This is her third year on vestry and currently serving as one of the synod representatives as well. She has been involved with various ministries at St. Christopher’s: managing the venue hires, helping for book sales, mainly music, hospitality, Sacristan and chalice, and on the food pantry team. Laly is married to Babu and they have two adult children. Both Laly and Babu are active on their Kerala Mar Thoma Church in Christchurch.
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Keith Spragg
Keith brings to vestry experience in similar positions in other churches together with a long career in Christian School administration. Keith is married to Wendy with two adult children, and came to St Christopher’s three years ago. Keith also assists with data projection in services.
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Sarah Stevens-Gieseg
Sarah is our People’s Warden. She is a Leader in our worship team, Church Fair Organiser and loves providing hospitality. She and Steven have two adult sons. As a Sonographer, Sarah meets people from all walks of life, and wants to see a place for all of them at church. Sarah loves to see people in healthy growing relationships with God, and each other at St Christopher’s.
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Mark Squire
Mark has been a part of our family for over thirty years. In that time he’s been involved in youth leadership, music ministry and audio/visual technical support for well over twenty of those years. Mark is one of the worship team and tech leaders and cares for all the audio-visual systems for our parish. He is also a big part of enormous audio/visual systems for large Christian events such as the annual Easter Camp.
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Cathy Allison Maasch
Cathy has been part of St Christopher’s parish for over 20 years and has a long-time involvement in home group leadership and prayer ministry. Now semi-retired from a 30-year career in general practice, she is enjoying serving in other areas of the church life including the Mainly Music and ESOL ministry.
Cathy is married to John, and they have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. She is originally from South Africa and retains strong ties with her family in Cape Town.
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Murray Irvine
Murray Irvine is a long time member of St Christopher’s, with extensive experience in business, development, real estate, and hospitality. He has special responsibility for looking after St Christopher’s land and buildings. He is married to Eileen.