Meet the Team

Our Church Elders

Revd Jane Wade

“Hi, I am Revd. Jane Wade. I was ordained in 1997 and have served two pastorates, here (from 2014) and St. George’s in Hemel Hempstead, Herts (1997-2014). Abington Avenue URC (AAURC) which is now part of Northampton United Reformed Churches – which includes , Duston URC and Bethany URC.

I spend about 50% of my time at AAURC 40% of my time within the other churches, as well as serving of various Synod committees, and in my role as Deputy Moderator for the East Midlands Synod. The remainder 10% of my time is spent as one of the Synod pastoral consultants.

I am a widow (I was married to Mark for 37 years before he sadly passed away in 2020), and have three grown up, married children and I am the proud Grandma of eight grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking, swimming, reading, and travelling.”

Sue Croft – Elder

My name is Sue Croft and I have been a serving Elder for most of the time that I have been at Abington Avenue. My journey began when my children were toddlers, about 23 years ago, and I came to Jolly Tots. My partner, Andy and I, lived in Abington Avenue. I felt that this toddler group was different to others I had been to and wanted to know what this ‘difference’ was. We began coming to church regularly, I hadn’t been brought up in the church and I wasn’t a believer. Andy, the children and I felt an overwhelming sense of love and care from the congregation, and then after completing Alpha courses we began our journey from belonging to believing. We also got married at Abington Avenue! To this day I am passionate about Jolly Tots because it was so key to my faith journey, and it is my prayer that others will follow and come to know Jesus in this way. Aside from my ministry to children and young families; Jolly Tots, Messy Church and Junior Church, I serve on the Outreach Committee, the Safeguarding team and enjoy cooking lunch for our Friday lunch club. I have also served as a Church Secretary during the ministry of both Revd Alan Spence and Revd Jane Wade. Sadly my dear husband is no longer with me, but he was a passionate enabler of my ministry, stepping up, and supporting at home during the parenting years.

Julia Hardcastle – Elder

I grew up in East Yorkshire, studied in Leeds and from there worked in London in bookselling.

I came to Northampton in 1994, with my two young children. AAURC was just around the corner so my first experience of being part of this church was through the “Jolly Tots” sessions for pre-schoolers.

I had no history of regular church going nor worship but I felt at home in AAURC and the warm welcome and support I received from everyone led me on the path to learn more about what it was to be a Christian.

I became a member in 2000 and an elder in 2019 but during the course of these years I have been involved in many projects and aspects of church life. Currently I am part of the steering committee of the NACCC Contact Centre and chair of the Personnel group. I am also a member of the Faith in Community initiative.

Jeff Prickett -Elder

I’ve been a member of AAURC for 20 years and I’ve made many loyal friends who have supported me in recent years.

I’m now one of the elders helping our congregation grow in numbers and in faith.

I’m also a member of the Property Committee involved in the maintenance of the church premises.

I’m also the co-ordinator for Different Strokes Northampton. A charity that helps stroke survivors in Northamptonshire come to terms with the effects of strokes on working age people.

Chris Whipp – Elder

I am Christine Whipp and I have worshipped at AAURC since 1985, when I moved to Northampton from Bath. I worked as a Science teacher at Northampton School for Girls until my retirement. We were drawn to AAURC by the sound biblical teaching, the worship and the fact that all ages are valued in our community.

I have been involved in the music life of the church and in children’s work as well as serving as an Elder, helping with lunch club and being involved with personnel, outreach and ecochurch.

I am a Trustee for a school in Zambia and I volunteer with Eve – a local women’s refuge. I enjoy walking in the countryside, sewing, gardening and playing tennis. I am married to Simon, who is also very involved at AAURC , and we have 2 adult daughters.

Kay Kerr – Elder

I have attended this Church for many years – after a while helping with Creche, Junior Church then more recently after service ‘drinks’ and Friday Friendship Club. I have seen the way of how we worship and interact with the wider community progress. There is something for everyone.

Beatrice Madzadavara – Elder

I am a mother of two, one adult child and a teenager. I joined Abington United Reformed Church in 2003 together with my family. We felt welcome from day one and we have settled since then.

My husband and I became church members and not long after that, I was appointed an elder. I enjoyed serving in that role. To my surprise I served three terms which was a total of nine years without stepping down. After the nine years of serving others, I then stepped down for a year. At the end of the year of resting, I was approached by a couple of people to pray about serving again. I felt this was another call from God to serve others again.

Besides serving as an elder, I am responsible for organising communion every month or when needed.

Outside the church. I enjoy supporting children and their families as a social worker. In my free time, I enjoy walking, spending time with my family.

I grew up seeing my mother serving in the church and never dreamt that I would be following her footsteps.

Simon Whipp – Elder

I am Simon Whipp and I have worshipped at AAURC since 1985, when we moved to Northampton from Bath. I worked as an engineering manager for the Foreign Office until my retirement in 2017. We were drawn to AAURC initially by the warm welcome and now value the sound biblical teaching, the worship and strong fellowship.

I am Deputy Treasurer, serve on the Property Committee, a church Safeguarding officers and I am involved in the music life of the church. I have this year come back onto the eldership (having served in the past) because I am keen to be involved in shaping the church for the challenges ahead.

I am a Trustee and volunteer with Eve – a local women’s refuge, a volunteer for our Child Contact Centre and my wife and I visit Zambia when we can to support two schools. My main hobby is music and I play guitar, bass and drums. I am married to Chris, who is also very involved at AAURC, and we have 2 adult daughters and a grandson.

Chris Cottle – Elder

“My wife and I came to Abington Avenue URC in 1990, with our 2 week old baby boy. We now have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

We have been involved in the church youth, both of us coming from a scouting background.

I was a toolmaker for 20 years or more. When after redundancy, I retrained as a Plumbing and Heating Engineer which I did for 21 years before retiring in 2023.

I serve on the Property Committee, Garden Team and Worship Band. With more time on my hands recently enjoy helping out with our Lunch Club and Messy Church.

I now have returned to the Eldership, having served in the past.

I enjoy camping, walking and singing.