The Team

Reverend Greg Smith

I became Rector of Pontesbury and Stiperstones on 10th Feb 2021, having been ordained in 1999 and served the whole of my ministry in the Diocese of Coventry. I came to Shropshire knowing the beauty of the hills and surrounding countryside, only to discover that it was matched by the warmth of the people.

I am married to Fran, who has always been actively involved in church life, usually in offering generous hospitality. We have four grown up children, scattered throughout the land and three young grandsons. We have a West Highland Terrier, Daisy, who loves people and also has a ministry of hospitality.

My strengths are in prayer, pastoral care and preaching. My weaknesses are in administration and attention to detail. I am told I am good at remembering names. My passion is for everyone of whatever background to know how much God loves them and for the church to be a place of welcome to all.

In recent years, I have preferred to call myself an open-evangelical, by which I mean I have never lost my passion for Scripture or my conviction of its importance as a guide for our lives; but also that the doctrines derived from Scripture must be addressed afresh by each generation in the light of new understandings.

My interests are walking, running, reading, drama/theatre and sport. Fran’s are cooking, family and a glass of red wine.

Curate Richard Lonsdale

I was ordained Deacon on the 3rd July in Hereford Cathedral and am delighted to be serving my curacy in this beautiful part of England. If you see me out and about in the villages then please do come and talk to me, I would be pleased to get to know you and pray for you – do not be put off by my grumpy expression, I have no idea why I look grumpy when I’m walking but have been advised by friends and family that I tend to look quite miserable. I can assure you I am not!

I bring with me, my wife Claire, my children Moray and Olivia and our dog Indy. We enjoy walking, visiting the library, watching films, reading and as a former amatuer rugby player then I enjoy criticising professional sportsmen on tv.

Reverend Stuart Carter

Having been invited to cover services in the benefice on an occasional basis, I was asked to provide something of an introduction to myself and my wife Wendy.

Following my retirement from stipendiary ministry last September, Wendy and I moved to live in Habberley and have enjoyed getting to know new neighbours and friends in the community and in the local churches.

Although both Wendy and I grew up in fairly rural areas (Codsall and the Surrey Hills respectively), for almost 40 years we have been living and serving together in urban deprived areas of Birmingham.

It was just a few weeks after our wedding that we first moved to the City. We brought up our family there; our daughter and two sons, all grown up now, and more recently two small grandchildren as well.

Our first seven years together were spent as City Missionaries and Youth and Schools workers with Birmingham City Mission.

Then, in 1991, I was ordained as an Anglican minister and served as Curate in an inner-city parish near Birmingham city centre. Following that I was asked to lead a group in planting and growing a new congregation on an estate in West Birmingham.

inally, I served as vicar of another outer estate parish in East Birmingham. Throughout all that time Wendy has worked alongside me contributing her considerable skills in pastoral care, children’s ministry and community arts.

Currently we are exploring what it means make a new home and to serve God in retirement amongst rural communities and congregations. It’s a new start for us. We have lots to learn, and we’re excited to be on our next adventure together.

Reverend Fran Brealey

I was licensed as Associate Minister of Pontesbury and Stiperstones on 12th June 2023. This is a half-time post and I have particular responsibility for the parish of Hope and Shelve.

My husband Mike and I have moved to live in Pontesbury from Bristol, where we have been for the last 25 years, and where (since being ordained in 2018) I have combined being a part-time minister with administration and management in a small college. Most recently I have been Associate Minister in Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth, on the northern edge of Bristol. If you have ever driven over the Avonmouth bridge on the M5, you will have been very near to us! I’ve also been helping in a more rural benefice in South Gloucestershire, close to the two Severn Bridges.

I enjoy walking, reading, and visiting historic sites (the older the better), and wherever possible I like to combine all three. I am looking forward to getting to know this area and its people, and to encouraging the congregations in their worship, pastoral care and mission.