Our team at St John the Baptist and Wellspring is made up of staff members, trustees and volunteers.

Rev Mandy Beck

Vicar

Hello, I am Rev Mandy Beck. I am part-time vicar of St John’s the Baptist church and part-time chaplain at South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust. I am married with two grown-up children.  It is a joy and privilege to be part of the diverse community. I love spending time talking over a cup of tea or a meal, I have been introduced to all kinds of different specialities, members of Korean heritage have introduced me to Kimchi.  It is a blessing to lead worship in such a beautiful building, where voices are raised in joyous praise.

Contact: vicar@inthevale.org.uk

Ruth Ruocco Brown

Church Warden and Safeguarding Officer

Older People’s Worker, Church warden, PSO, PCC  – I’m a married mum who loves walking on Wimbledon Common, Pre Raphaelite art, cheese…!

From the first time I visited St John’s, I felt at home. I enjoy the friendliness and humour, also the beautiful church with it’s stained glass and angels.

Vicky Capanna

Children’s Worker, Safeguarding Officer and Treasurer

As well as working with younger people with in our Church I am a Mum and I love family time.

St Johns is wonderful church, I have made many great friends and it has a fun atmosphere.

Sue Richardson

Church Administrator

I enjoy cooking, gardening, reading, volunteering with young people, family genealogy. I value the friendship given at St Johns.

Contact: stjohns@inthevale.org.uk

Andy Stephens

Organist

I am Andy Stephen, organist at St John’s, where I am hopeful that my playing is a positive contribution to worship. As a boy living in a Cheshire village, my father was a verger at the local Anglican church, where my interest in playing the organ was encouraged, which has lasted now for over 50 years. My wife is a musician playing both violin and viola; she performed professionally. St John the Baptist Church at Kingston Vale has a very friendly congregation with a wide age group of parishioners who are always welcoming and interested in meeting and socializing, they are always planned social activities to take place throughout the year.

Tom Olson

Organist/Pianist

I am Tom Olsen, Organist\Pianist. Likes Art Galleries, and has a particular soft spot for the Dutch Masters Of The Seventeenth Century. I like how friendly the congregation are, and am getting to know them over time and make lovely friends then.

Alan Worth

Organist and Choir Director

I am Alan Worth. Organist and Choir Director at St John’s. I love to collect vinyl records and have a gigantic collection! I have always enjoyed playing on the St John’s organ – it is a fine instrument.

Angelo Capanna

Member PCC and property committee.

Beverly Morley Brown

PCC Member

I am Beverly Morley-Brown I am a member of the PCC, Outreach and Property committees. I am a Great Grandmother  I love being a member of the family of St John’s, especially the prayers and the parties.

Jane Thomas

PCC Member

I am a member of PCC, I have lived in the Vale for over 40 years and have found it to be both friendly and welcoming. I particularly enjoy living so close to Richmond Park. I feel St, John’s is an active part of the Vale community and has a family atmosphere during the services.

Joseph Shim

Leader of worship music

Kate Goode

PCC Member

I am Kate Goode, PCC member.

As well as this, I run a private tutoring business and am Head of Education for AFC Wimbledon.

I love to sing, to write and to be creative. At St John’s, I enjoy singing and the sense of community when we worship together…and Mandy’s sermons!

I also enjoy being part of Wellspring and in particular the exercise classes which I wholeheartedly recommend.

Mark Callis

Wellspring Committee Chair

I am Mark Callis chair of the Wellspring Comitee. I work in animal welfare and investigation and have done for nearly 40 years. I retired in 2023 from the board of governors at Robin Hood primary school after 25 years service. Away from this I am a rugby coach and Judo instructor, and at present I am really enjoying travel, and spending quality time with my wife and also my grandchildren. I founded Robin Hood judo club in 1994 in the church hall at St John’s. The class moved to nearby Robin Hood School in 1997, but I am very pleased to say that we returned to our spiritual home and beginnings at St John’s in 2023 where we feel comfortable and right at home. It is great to be part of the church community again.

Penny Jivani

Reader Emeritus

Mother and grandmother. I like the feeling we are all together at St John’s.

Andrew Tekle-Cadman

PCC Member

I am Andrew Tekle-Cadman. I am a member of the PCC, and represent the Church at Kingston Deanery Synod. I also represent the Deanery at Southwark Diocesan Synod. Along with my family we help manage the serving of refreshments at Sunday services and participate in various Church activities. I especially appreciate the eclectic mix of different service types on offer at St. Johns and the dynamism of the PCC in doing so much for the local community.

Malcom Kaye

PCC member

I love St John as it is lovely to engage with a lot of friendly people I also love dancing horse racing and the theatre

Lilian Joseph

“The people are welcoming and so friendly. It’s a cosy and peaceful space for prayer. Vicar Mandy is always helpful and kind to all. The holiday events are always fun and up to everyone’s standards even beyond that. There is everything from adults to kids entertainment.”

Laura Coyne

Wellspring Committee

Hi, I’m Laura, that, “Cat Lady” I guess I was always destined to be! 

I have lived in the Vale all my life and the St John’s Brass Eagle seen here is precious to me as I remember my mother polishing it when I was very young. 

I love all God’s creatures (especially the ones no one else likes), I enjoy being creative, going to the theatre and I often join in with the Church Choir.

I help run the Wellspring Film & Games Nights, hope to see you there.

Edmund White

Volunteer Photographer

Edmund serves as our volunteer photographer, documenting both formal and social events for our website. With decades of experience, he has mastered the art of capturing life’s nuances through his lens. Born in 1953 in Northwest England, Edmund discovered his passion for photography early on, influenced by his grandfather, an avid amateur photographer.

Throughout his career, Edmund has consistently embraced new photographic techniques and methodologies.

“I am very happy to be helping capture images for the church’s website and general publicity purposes. People are often aloof or perhaps simply, and sensibly, wary when a stranger enters their midst—particularly one wielding a camera. Although I am not a member of the congregation, the welcome and friendship I have encountered at St John the Baptist sets the church and its vibrant community apart.”