We believe that as Christians we are all called to serve as priests and witnesses and in addition in our church family we are served by a team of Elders, Deacons and Trustees who care for our spiritual and administrative needs.
Meet our Leadership Team...
Elders
Neil and Lizzie Laing
Neil was born, raised and educated in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia), gaining his degree in zoology and botany at the University of Natal. He became a Christian in 1973 after reading Catherine Marshall’s book ‘Beyond Ourselves’. Lizzie is Glastonbury born and bred and gave her life to Jesus at the age of 6 at the Gospel Hall in Glastonbury. They met in London and married in 1975.
After teaching in Zimbabwe, Neil went to the Elim Bible College in Surrey where he gained his Certificate in Theology with Honours in 1981 whilst also pastoring the Dorking Elim Church, followed by a time serving as assistant pastor of Newcourt Elim Church, Finsbury Park in London also supervising a small school in the church building. After moving to Glastonbury they met Keith and Pat Gilmour and co-started the Glastonbury Christian Fellowship in 1983 (Click to read our church story here). Over the years, Neil has worked in IT and teaching, retiring in 2021 to devote more time to his leadership role in the church. He is the author of three books – ‘Even Dawkins has a God’, ‘Is God really Legit?’ and ‘Confessions of a Blue-eyed African’.
Lizzie qualified as a nurse in London with a community psychiatric diploma and has worked in Zimbabwe and the UK including working in Broadmoor as well as helping to establish the first community unit in the UK for drug users and working with the Health Minister to assess the children affected by thalidomide. All this as well as raising a family and pastoring alongside Neil. While living in London she attended All Souls Langham Place and says her claim to fame is singing with Cliff Richard!
They have 3 adult children including Adam who is one of our deacons (read about him below…) and a grandson who they adore! Neil is also a keen photographer, especially of wildlife.
Ruth Presdee
I’ve been a Christian since childhood and joined Grace Community Church (then Mid-Somerset Community Church) when we moved to the area in 2003.
My background has been in youth work. I became an Elder in 2011 and I’m a regular on our preaching team.
I’m also an Optometrist and I’m married with two beautiful grown-up daughters. I enjoy cooking, travelling, books and the gym – all the usual stuff – and I’m a cat person!
Deacons
Dan and Fiona Shaw
Dan works at a local college teaching young people music. Fiona is also a teacher, working with young children at a local primary school. We both grew up locally, meeting at church and then we both returned again after going to University.
Fi is a forest school practitioner and head of Forest school at her organisation. She really enjoys painting, making traditional teddy bears, model making, playing music and walking in the woods with her family.
Dan has a passion for writing and releasing music, making and repairing instruments and performing. He has been able to support local musicians and songwriters to release and perform music as part of our local outreach.
Together, we both really enjoy collecting and listening to vinyl records.
We both became Deacons in 2022. Fiona’s experience in education also really helps her in her role as Trustee and Safeguarding Lead. We are both part of the worship team and Dan serves as worship leader. Fiona also runs our craft group.
Our children Abi and Dylan join the worship team on violin and keys when they’re back from University. We’re extremely proud of them both. We also share a family cat called Lucy.
We’re happiest when we’re all together as a family love worshipping God together.
Phil and Jenny Simmonds
Born and brought up in South East London, we have been Christians since our youth. We joined what was then Mid Somerset Community Church in 1996 when we moved to Somerset. We can testify to God’s faithfulness to us through significant health problems over the years.
We’ve served in the church in various ways including Jenny playing the flute in the music group and preaching from time to time and Phil looking after the sound desk. We were appointed as Deacons in 2022.
We recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary and have 3 adult children and 2 wonderful grandchildren. We are never happier than when we are surrounded by all of them! We enjoy our garden, caravanning and walking by the sea.
Jenny also serves as our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Adam and Alice Laing
Adam works at a family run local business in Wells, doing a bit of IT and helping serve in a retail shop. He was born the year the church was founded, so has been a member of this church for most of his life.
Alice is fully qualified as a horse riding instructor but has recently had a change and started up her own business, offering Pet Services. She looks after a range of animals, from livestock to small animals. She is also a singer/guitarist and is in a duo called The Shalaings with fellow worship leader, Dan, performing regularly and writing our own music. Alice became a Christian in 2018 and committed her life whole-heartedly to Jesus and has never looked back.
We share a three year old son called Jack who is absolutely amazing. He is such a caring and compassionate little boy who fills our hearts and lives with so much joy. We also share a few animals including a horse called Mischief, a dog called Dixie and two bunnies called Peaches and Chocolate.
Adam runs Glastonbury Gamers, the board gaming group and Alice is a part of the team that runs Busy Bees, our baby/toddler group.
We were appointed as Deacons in 2024. Both Alice and Adam are part of the worship team, Alice helps lead worship alongside Dan, playing guitar and singing and Adam plays the drums. Adam is also a regular on the preaching rota.
Trustees
John Shaw – Church Treasurer
I am a retired town planner – I’ve worked in local government, housing association and private practice. As well as being Trustee and Treasurer of Grace Community Church, I am Chairman of Avalon Archery Club and Treasurer of Meare Allotment Association.
I was educated (allegedly!) at Tudor Grange Grammar School, Solihull followed by Aberystwyth and Liverpool Universities.
I met my wife(Pamela) at our church youth club in 1961 and have never regretted it! We have 3 married children of whom we are very proud including Daniel our fantastic Worship Leader and musical genius, and I am a devoted Grandad.
I’m also pretty handy with a bow and arrow!
Paul Botterill – Church Administrator
Married to Karen since 1989, we joined GCCG, then MSCC, after moving to Somerset in 1996. I’ve worked as a software engineer and cheese turner. I serve as chair of trustees as well as church administrator.
Fiona Shaw – Safeguarding
See above.
Fiona is our Designated Safeguarding Lead