Ministry Team

Vicar of St Mary's and Master of the Foundation

The Revd Debbie Collins

Debbie joined St Mary's in July 2023 following a varied ministry in semi-rural, urban and outer estates parishes. With a 25 year NHS career in Nursing and Midwifery behind her, Debbie is an enthusiastic and encouraging priest and takes time to listen to all manner of pastoral needs.

Debbie is passionate about Eco Church, snorkelling and being creative with mixed media textile art and loves being Nanny to grandson Arlo. 

Reader

Denis Plater

From parents onwards a lifelong Christian, member of a number of parishes as his corporate management career in sales, marketing, HR and training developed, taking him and his family to different places, each time finding somewhere to worship, sing and enjoy church life. Time best spent in the fun of engaging with people of all ages and in all ways. Involved with a number of Christian charities and organisations. Sharing friendships in the love of music, travel, family and cricket. Married to Christina for 45 years with three daughters and three grandchildren.    

Happy in the St Mary's Temple Balsall community, the Court and throughout the Parish, privileged to serve as a Licensed Lay Minister since January 2016. I look forward to my ministry growing in this seam of enjoyment in the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Priest With Permission to Officiate

Revd. Peter Boyden

Peter and his wife Jennifer came to Knowle in 2016 in what they sometimes call their second phase of retirement, moving from Derbyshire where they had enjoyed the freedom of walking in the Peak District, and they quickly found a warm welcome here at Temple Balsall.

After studying in London and Cambridge Peter was ordained in Ely Cathedral and worked in parishes in Cambridge and Wimbledon. He then changed direction and worked for most of his ministry as a school chaplain, first in Canterbury and then at Radley, near Oxford.

Jennifer and Peter have recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, and with four grown-up children they now often find themselves away from home, looking after some of their seven grandchildren and trying to keep up with the energy and enthusiasm of the youngsters.