The Court of Sion College is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting from amongst its fellows. A new court member starts as an assistant, before moving through from Junior Dean to Senior Dean before becoming President. The role of past Presidents is also important to maintain continuity. The lay Fellows are elected by the Court and generously give their time and wisdom to support and encourage the clergy.
The Court are responsible for the smooth and proper running of the College and attend monthly Court meetings, an away day each year to plan the subsequent year’s programme and take on the responsibility for running the many events each year.
Court members are easily identified at events by their Court badges with the red (and occasionally purple) ribbons. As hosts of the event, any question, query or comment is gratefully received.
President
The Reverend Mae Christie
Mae Christie is Vicar of All Saints Church, Tooting, and was previously Curate of St Christopher’s Church and Pembroke House in Walworth. Her interests include social justice, community organising, music, sports, politics, cooking and traveling.
Senior Dean
The Reverend Sam Cross
Sam Cross is the vicar of St Thomas, Kensal Town. He is a relative newcomer to London having served his title in the Diocese of Oxford. His interests include spiritual writing, monastic life and the works of Thomas Merton. When not found in church he can often be found at fringe theatre performances.
Junior Dean
The Reverend Christopher Trundle
Christopher was born and brought up in Scotland before moving south for university. He was ordained in 2010 and served as curate in parishes in Tottenham and Pimlico before being appointed to Holy Redeemer, Clerkenwell and Saint Mark, Clerkenwell in 2013. Christopher is also a chaplain in the Army Reserve. He enjoys singing, reading, keeping relatively fit, and splendid time with his family.
Assistants:
The Reverend James Heard
James trained for ordination at Ridley Hall Cambridge before serving his curacy at All Saints Fulham. After a stint at Chelsea Parish as Associate Vicar, he moved to his current post as Vicar of St George’s, Campden Hill and St John the Baptist, Holland Road in West London. He is also Area Dean for Kensington. In his spare time, he enjoys running, tennis and playing golf (badly), as well as the theatre and reading.
The Reverend Roxanne Eversley (Treasurer)
Roxanne is the Vicar of the South Norwood, United Benefice of Holy Innocents and St Mark, following her Curacy at St Mary, Newington.
Her interests include, visiting the Theatre, reading, walking, travelling both within and outside the UK, plus entertaining family and friends.
The Reverend Jonathan Kester
Jonathan Kester is Vicar of St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square. After a curacy in the Diocese of St Albans, he has served as a Bishop’s Chaplain, as Vicar of St Mary’s, Great Ilford in East London and then for fourteen years at Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead, serving also as Director of Ordinands and latterly as Area Dean of Camden. Interests include travel, music of all kinds, theatre and reading.
The Reverend Dave Chesney
Dave is vicar of Ascension Church, Custom House, situated at the heart of the Royal Docks area of East London. He also serves as Area Dean of Newham. He spent 20 years in the finance industry prior to ordination. In his spare time he enjoys walking, playing pool and enjoying time with family, including his grandson.
Immediate Past President
The Reverend Canon Dr Alison Joyce
Alison Joyce is Rector of St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.
Interests include Richard Hooker, playing the cello and Anglican Moral Theology.
Past Presidents
The Reverend Prebendary Philip Chester
Fr Philip is the Vicar of St Matthew's, Westminster. He read Law at Birmingham University, trained for ordination at Durham University, and served as a curate in Shrewsbury before joining the team at St Martin in the Fields in 1985.
From 1988 he was Chaplain to King's College, London, until his appointment to St Matthew's in 1995.
In addition to his responsibilities to the church, parish and school, Fr Philip is the Area Dean of Westminster (St Margaret's) and so is part of the senior leadership team in the Diocese of London. Fr Philip is a trustee of a number of charities.
Graham Buckle
Graham is the Vicar of St Stephen’s, Westminster and has served his entire 34 years ministry in the Archdeaconry of Charing Cross. He is the Link Officer for the NYC and London Diocese Exchange. Graham enjoys playing (violin) and listening to music and played in a successful skiffle band during the 1980’s. He is a very keen sportsman: completing 17 Marathons, several Triathlons and a full ironman. He has completed several swimming events including the Thames 14k Bridge to Bridge and was part of a successful Serpentine Team to swim the England Channel and Lake Geneva. Graham was also part of a team that successfully climbed Grand Paradiso (Italy’s highest mountain). Graham is a life member of CAMRA. He is a season ticket holder of Crystal Palace and Surrey CCC and an associate member of the MCC.
Lay Fellows
Mr Paul Double LVO
Paul Double has been Remembrancer of the City of London since 2003. He is the City's Parliamentary Agent and the Parliamentary Agent for the Honourable the Irish Society, and the City's Chief of Protocol.
His interests include sailing and cycling.
Mr David Banks
David Banks was Public Affairs Adviser successively to two Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth. Before making the move into international relations more generally and Commonwealth affairs in particular, his early career was spent working in City of London financial markets.
He has been churchwarden of St Andrew by the Wardrobe in the City and of St Mary Abbots in Kensington and served as Chairman of the Campden Charities.