Meet Our Ministers and Worship Leaders
Rev
Alf Waite
alfred.waite@methodist.org.uk Tel: 0191 584 3206
Rev Alf Waite is the Minister at Trinity Methodist Church as well as Superintendent of the East Durham Circuit of Methodist churches.
This is Alf's third circuit as a Minister in the Methodist church, prior to that he worked as a travelling Evangelist from bible College which gave him a wide experience.
A different, but in many ways a similar experience was gained from his 20 years as a stockman on farms in Lancashire.
Alf still has a love for animals and breeds Dutch rabbits as a hobby but it is his love for people and sharing God's Good news with them that is the first love in his life.
Alf has been a Christian for over 35 years and still marvels at God's all-embracing love for him and the whole of humankind.
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Rev
Dawn Brown
dawn.brown@methodist.org.uk Tel: 0191 581 6779
Rev Dawn Brown became a candidate for ministry in 1993 in the Methodist Church of South Africa and served as a pastoral assistant and youth pastor before being ordained in 1998. Subsequently, she served as a Minister in several locations in the Johannesburg area before last year accepting an invitation to minister in the UK here in our East Durham Circuit.
Pastoral work and engaging with people in a caring environment is Dawn's greatest passion. "I love bringing God's good news, not only through Preaching but in discovering our gifts and call to discipleship through day-to-day activities" she says.
Dawn is also keen on dancing and is a qualified Modern Freestyle Dance Teacher although having been blessed with three sons, family life keeps her and her husband very busy when they are not working.
Rev
Susan Wigham
Rev Susan Wigham works across the East Durham Circuit of Methodist churches, but mainly at Seaham. She became an ordained Minister 25 years ago having served as a Methodist Local Preacher for many years before that.
Local Preacher
Peter Walsham
Peter is a qualified RGN nurse and has recently retired from lecturing at Northumbria University having previously taught best practice and essential skills in the operating theatre within the NHS. A former Gateshead Harrier, he is a keen Newcastle United supporter. Peter completed his local preacher training in 1986, something which is augmented by his professional presentational skills as well as his piano playing.
Local Preacher (in Training)
Bill Naylor
Bill is a Chartered Surveyor and has spent over 40 years advising on commercial property which he continues to do on a voluntary basis.
Having joined Trinity in 2013 he qualified as a Worship Leader in 2020 and is now undergoing further theological training.
A keen hill walker and guitar player (although not at the same time), Bill has written both drama pieces and some new worship songs.
Worship Leader
Lena Nattrass
Lena was a teacher in Barmston Village Washington from the earliest days of the New Town. Lena who is a keen singer and member of Washington's operatic group, previously organised and ran our children's Sunday Club but her enthusiasm and passion for teaching continues to shine through in the services she leads.
Worship Leader
Gwyneth Walsham
Gwyneth was formerly a primary school worker and latterly a lecturer at Gateshead College, training level 2 and 3 teaching assistants, but who now enjoys being a Mam of two and Gran to three amazing grand-daughters. With a passion for dance and signing, Gwyneth often brings a new and vibrant visual experience to the services she leads.