Stephen Burdett is our Team Rector he is also the Chaplain to Southend's Lifeboat boat station which is something Stephen is particularly proud of.  The lifeboat station is one of the busiest in the UK and is situated at the end of Southend Pier.  St John's is the Life Boat Church and the RNLI standard proudly hangs to the left of the Nave Altar in St John's.  Stephen is also the Mayor's Chaplain for 2006/2007 and the Navel & Military Club's Chaplain.  Stephen is a south Londoner, who grew up in Walworth and Bermondsey.  His parents owned a newsagents. He will be celebrating 30 years of marriage to Denise next year and they have a daughter Louise.  Stephen likes all kinds of music by his favourite artist is Jools Holland.  Stephen plays the guitar and is learning to play classical guitar and the bongos.  Stephen enjoys going to the cinema and watching a good DVD and is a big James Bond Fan.  He regularly plays Tennis & Badminton but according to Denise DIY in not Steve's forte.

and in Stephen's own words:  My Ministry involves the leadership of the Southend Team, which includes 5 other clergy, the Lay Reader and the Pastoral Assistant, Penny Alexander.

It also involves the chaplaincy of the RNLI Lifeboat Station and the Naval & Military Club. I am also currently the Chaplain to the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Ron Price, and was Chaplain to a previous Mayor, Councillor Howard Briggs, 2001-2002.

I am the Chair of the Standards Board for the Borough of Southend-on-Sea and am also one of three Vice-Presidents of ‘Mind’ (Southend & District Mental Health Association, Sir Teddy Taylor –the previous MP for Southend East & Rochford- is the President). A main goal of my ministry now is to achieve for St John’s the reclamation of its Town Centre role (which it had in Southend’s heyday) and its second role as the ‘shop-window’ for the Southend Team Ministry.

The Revd. Phyllis Owen is an Associate Priest in the Southend Team Ministry. She was made a Deacon in 2005 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 2006. She celebrated her 1^st Mass in St John’s in July 2006.  In Phyllis's own words My ministry at St John’s is about building relationships – with the congregation and with all those who come through our doors. This is through leading worship, being involved in the Credo study group, hospital visiting and helping with the development of St John’s. Through my secular work I can also talk to those who have little involvement with "church" about my faith and provide a link between the Parish and the workplace.

David Booth is a Lay Reader and was licensed to this role in Summer 2005. David helps lead worship and preach and teach. He is helping to develop Lay Ministry across the Parish.

Kay Ward is one of our Church Warden's at St John’s. As part of her role she is a member of the District Church Council of St.John’s and a member of the Parochial Church Council of the Southend Team. Kay is also Secretary to the Team Rector, Stephen.

Sheila Thorogood is one of our Church Warden's at St John’s. As part of her role she is a member of the District Church Council of St.John’s and a member of the Parochial Church Council of the Southend Team.

Margaret Shillitto is the Leader of our Brownie Pack, and is also a member of St John’s District Church Council. She was made an Assistant at Holy Communion on Sunday 7^th January 2007.

Assistants at Holy Communion are licensed by the Bishop and the Parochial Church Council, to administer the consecrated bread & wine at the Eucharist and to give Home Communion. Richard Childs, Phil Bonds and Suzy Weir have been Assistants at Holy Communion for many years. Catherine Adams took on this ministry at the same time as Margaret. They are  to be joined, in the New Year, by Denise Burdett, Patsy Littlejohns and Dee Owen.