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Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The Parochial Church Council, or PCC, is an executive committee of the Parish and has defined its purpose as ‘to co-operate with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of Christ Church with a particular responsibility for ensuring wise and faithful stewardship of the Church’s resources, to enable vision to become reality.’

The PCC meets bi-monthly and is made up of Clergy, Church Wardens, Deanery Synod members and up to fifteen lay members who are elected each year at the Annual Parochial Church meeting.

Sub-committees oversee the management of our parish halls, staffing, and parish finances.

Meet the PCC members for 2026/7

Ali Rowe

Philip and I were brought up in Downend. We were away in full time ministry for 40 years and have now retired back to Christ Church. As a licensed lay minister LLM. I’m enjoying being involved in all aspects of the church particularly the welcoming of new members. I’m also involved in Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod and the Uganda link in the diocese.

Andy Pound

Bryan Ashton

Married to Sally. Both retired and have been at Christ Church for 45 years. I enjoy walking, recently on the Diocese Pilgrims walks. I enjoy cooking and support Bristol Bears Rugby.

Dan Watts

Dan Watts

Debbie Pastwa

I have been a member of Christ Church for over 25 years, working much of that time as a drugs and alcohol manager, supporting people who were mostly homeless. I have the pleasure of being retired now, and can concentrate on my garden, as well as being on our pastoral care team, prayer team, and PCC plus a stand in youth leader. I enjoy belonging to a loving, and active church, and serving our Lord Jesus there.

Katie A

I joined Christ Church Downend in January 2023 and feel blessed to be part of a church that truly cares for one another while also looking outward to serve the wider community in a variety of ways.
Inspired as a teenager by the work of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, I am committed to playing my part in nurturing unity within the Church and helping Christ Church be a place of welcome for all.

Maggie Nichols

I have attended Christ Church for many years and have seen many changes, the largest of which was the re-ordering which I was privileged to co-ordinate alongside Jo Vickery.   I am a widow with three sons and 5 granddaughters, who keep me on my toes.  I am Church Warden, Warm Space Lead and Hospitality Co-ordinator, so many hats which I absolutely love.  I feel privileged to serve our Lord in this way.

Mark Tanner

I returned to faith in 2020 after I suffered a heart attack and was in Southmead Hospital for five days. When I was discharged, Julie and I had a long conversation about missing being part of a loving community and so we came to Christ Church soon after. Since then, our faith has grown and last year, I decided to join the PCC so that I could serve God and the Church in the best way I can.

Nigel Stowe

Belinda & I joined Christ Church in 2011, moving from Surrey where we’d taken early retirement as a Teacher and Sales Director, respectively. We’re now blessed to have all our children and grandchildren living within walking distance. As well as being a member of the PCC, I also serve on the Standing Committee, the Strategy Team, the Building Committee, and I’m an occasional speaker. My passion is to see a growing church growing in love with Jesus.

Paul Peterson

Paul Peterson

I’ve been Associate Minister at Christ Church since January 2010 and have been Chair of the PCC for most of that period. I’m married to Tracy who’s also heavily involved in church life and have two grown up sons. I also work part time for a charity which runs residential Christian youth holidays for teenagers. My passions include seeing young people growing to maturity in Christ and helping everyone to find a deeper security in their faith, enabling them to play their part in God’s Kingdom purposes.

Philip Rowe

 I am an Associate Minister leading the pastoral care. I enjoy looking after my grandchildren, reading, walking and improving my Killer Sudoku skills. I am slowly widening my cooking skills.

Richard Bacon

I am a lifelong resident of Downend and first went to Sunday School at Quakers Road in the 1960’s. I have been active in Christ Church since 1990’s and was involved with the Youth Ministry for many years. My career was in Property, first for NatWest and then for a Consultancy. However, my passion is for overseas mission and life circumstances enabled me to take early retirement in 2014; since when I have volunteered overseas for Mission Direct, in a number of countries but particularly in Kumi, Uganda. It was a great blessing when Jan and I got married in 2016 and we make a great team, both overseas and at home, with children and grandchildren not far away. I have been a member of the PCC since 2022.

Roseanna Wood

You will mostly see me sat at the keyboard or running around after my two girls(!) – music is my primary area of church ministry. In addition, I serve on the children’s team and the PCC. Otherwise, I am a disciple, wife, mother and keen gardener, working part-time in the education sector. 

Sally Green

I have lived in Bromley Heath for fifty years and have always attended services at Quakers Road Church Centre where I am now Deputy Warden and a PCC member. The Church Centre has not only been my place of worship but for many years I was involved with the 85th Scout Group who use the Centre and ran a playgroup in the building. Both our sons were born in Bristol and after going away to university they have now returned to Bromley Heath and we are blessed to have our family and grandchildren within walking distance. I hope that the 9.15 service on a Sunday will continue for many more years at Quakers Road Church Centre.

Approved minutes:

Latest APCM approved minutes:

APCM Agenda

APCM Agenda 2026

The following people currently serve on the PCC:

Church Wardens
Maggie Nichols and Bryan Ashton

Parochial Church Council members
Andy Pound, Sally Green, Richard Bacon, Katie Allen, Mark Tanner, Lynda Lloyd, Roger Cholmondeley, Nigel Stowe

Deanery Synod representative
Roger Cholmondeley 

Clergy 
Revd Dan Watts, Revd Paul Peterson, Revd Chris Dobson, Revd Anne Louise Critchlow and Revd Philip Rowe

Parish Safeguarding Officer
Laura Green 

PCC Secretary
Hilary Stadden