The Ministry team
The Revd Canon Liesbeth Oosterhof – Rector.
I have been Rector of the Shoreline Benefice since the end of 2007. Originally from the Netherlands, I initially came to England as a primary teacher for Shell. I lived in Whitstable where I got to know the Anglican Church and benefitted from going to Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral. In 1994 I was baptised and confirmed an Anglican. Soon after I left for Oman where I went to worship in the Protestant Church of Oman, an interesting mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds.
Back in the Netherlands I worshipped in St Mary’s, the Anglican Chapel on the Weldam Estate. It was there I started training to become a reader. Not long in though I realised that my calling was to the priesthood. In 2002 I returned to England for my training at Ripon College Cuddesdon and was ordained in St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 2004. After a fantastic curacy in East Bergholt and Brantham, I was licensed to the benefice on 4th December 2007.
I love life on the peninsula with its welcoming and friendly people. The rectory garden is an abundant source of pleasure and relaxation and of very tasty potatoes, rhubarb and loads of different vegs. My dog Pippi is keen to remind any passers by that the garden is really hers! For the last couple of years I have enjoyed sewing my own shirts, combining the useful with the pleasurable.
The Revd Tim Crosbie – Assistant Priest.
A “war time” baby born in Holbrook, although having lived in various locations overseas and in the UK, returned to the peninsula in my latter years. Widowed with three children and four grand children. Qualified as an accountant (ACMA) and worked for companies in the industrial, commercial and charity sectors both as employed and self-employed. Came to ministry later in life as a ‘Self-Supporting Minister. Discernment was through others before recognizing any calling within myself. Ordained in the year 2000 though now retired, I have been granted the bishop’s permission to officiate.
(Tim is rather good with his camera and is responsible for most of the pictures on our website. Thanks Tim!)
Mr Andrew Coulson – Reader
I was born in East London close to the site of the Olympic Stadium and am a lifelong West Ham supporter. From soon after birth until moving to Suffolk in 1988 I attended St Saviour church in Forest Gate. I joined HM Customs & Excise working in Customs duty regimes and VAT for 42 years in London and Suffolk and retired in 2014. I am married to Maureen and have a daughter, Jane, who currently lives in Australia. I have lived in Shotley since 1988 and have worshipped at St Mary’s since that time. I studied to become a lay reader and was appointed in 1995. My interests include history (a member of the local history group), sport ( a member of the Shotley Bowls Club), long distance walking (participating and organising).
Mr Jon Clark – Elder
I moved to the peninsula in 2007 from Ipswich with my wife Anne. We really love living here with the river views and walks all around us. I’ve been worshipping at St Andrew’s since then and am delighted to be able to help more, having just become a liturgical lay elder. This means I can assist the priest in services, communion and lead intercessions. I work at BT, doing the designs for equipment that protect our network when connected to the internet and other operators. In my remaining free time I’ve been extending our house, making it as energy efficient as possible and maintain a fleet of older vehicles, going to shows around the country and Europe most years.