Arrival of Ben and Tasha Williams

Printer-friendly version

On 19th July Ben Williams started his new job as Youth Worker for both The Welcome and KMC..

He and his wife 'Tasha have moved up here from Canterbury, and here is a "hot off the press" photo of Ben. (photographer : Peter Dinsmore), plus an even "hotter-off-the-press" article by him copied from Open Doors.

"Greetings all,

I’ve been ambushed by Josephine to write a short piece about myself and my wife, about who we are, and how we came to be here. In case any

of you are unaware of who I am, I’m Ben Williams, the new youth worker at KMC and the Welcome.

Now we have the formalities out of the way, I come from a small town called Shefford in the county of Bedfordshire, just off the A1, where I grew up with my parents, Andy and Jackie. When I was young we attended the local Anglican church, but moved over to the Methodist church, where we have stayed ever since. At the age of 12 I started exploring my own faith, and at the age of 16 was confirmed in the Methodist Church. Upon completion of A-levels I took a gap year, where I worked for a church near Reading, working in the children’s and youth

department, and training with Steve Chalke’s Oasis project. I then went to university to study Theology and Music at Canterbury Christ Church University. It was here that I met my lovely wife, Tasha (who was studying English Language and Communication Studies with Psychology), through the university chapel and house group. In the first week of the

summer term of first year, I proposed to her in the chapel social spot (the local tavern), in front of all our friends. So the wheels were put into motion - and the following summer, with the support of both sets of parents, saw us married at Tasha’s church in Clacton-On-Sea, from where she originated. This was a fantastic occasion, with many happy memories, including a legendary fanfare, which we walked back up the aisle to, which was an arrangement I composed of all our favourite tunes, including a tuba concerto, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Thunderbirds, all played by a 10-piece brass band. In between this we attempted to continue studies, as well as taking over the university chapel worship band (which I led until I left). At the end of second year, I also attended an intensive worship-leaders’ training course, which qualified me as a worship leader within the Methodist Church. During third year, while preparing a thesis on the reformation in the church and music, I started training as a local preacher, which I am hoping to continue while here. I am pleased to announce that we both achieved 2:1’s in our degrees. Whilst I already had my job waiting for me when I got here, Tasha still does not have work although she is looking desperately. Eventually she would like to complete a masters degree in Speech and Language Therapy, but since the nearest university to study this is Sheffield, and the places are very limited (and only given to those with “experience”), this is going to have to wait a while and, in the mean time, she is looking for work in schools or nurseries where she can fulfil her passion for working with children.

Outside of the world of work, both my wife and I have a keen passion for music, and both play multiple instruments (Tasha plays Clarinet, Sax, Bass Guitar; and I play most brass instruments, piano/organ, percussion, recorders, bass guitar, and also attempt to sing). We also both enjoy

watching movies, and have a healthy but ever increasing collection of films between us. It is perhaps not surprising that, having got here, we have set up film nights at The Welcome, where we can show some of the

latest releases. Having just done our second showing last night, I can say that they seem to be a success; we have had around 20-30 people both times, and this only set to increase.

Unfortunately, this can only happen with help. Over the last few days, I have been considering how I can practically run all the sessions at The Welcome and KMC, and God has reminded me of Matthew 9:35-37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest”. I therefore appeal to any of you who have a spare evening or two to get in contact, as I see a great potential in Knutsford to reach to God’s people, but I cannot do this by myself.

Ben."