Revd Dr Marcus Torchon

Bristol Methodist District Chairman

District Chair : Revd Dr Marcus Torchon

Marcus was welcomed as District Chair on 31 August 2024

Marcus is passionate about the church’s prayer life and evangelism. He believes that evangelism begins and ends with prayer. He is married to Sylvia, and they have one son. Marcus is originally from Haiti, and following the January 2010 earthquake there, he was active in the relief efforts of the Methodist Church in the UK.

With a keen interest in development, his PHD was focused on the dissemination of aid, exploring issues of dependence and participant selection.

The Revd David Downing

 Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) South Western Synod.

David has served in pastoral charge of local churches since his ordination in 1999.

David started going to church as a teenager at St John’s Hill URC, Sevenoaks, and grew up with FURY (the Fellowship of United Reformed Youth) serving it at local and national levels, including as a member of the National Youth Committee.

After a career in banking, he trained at Westminster College, Cambridge, before being ordained and inducted at Rectory Road URC. He also served at Claremont, Little Eaton, Central URC Derby, Chaddesden, as Chaplain at Derby University, Alvaston, Carlton Road, Mackworth & Repton.

Revd Gary Gotham

Area Chair

Pastoral Responsibility: Monks Chapel, Market Lavington, Marston and St Andrews – Devizes

 Gary graduated from Northern College Manchester in 2000  and served 5 churches in Stockport, Cheshire for twelve years before coming to Wiltshire.

   In his spare time he is passionate about the transition to a  greener future, geocaching, heart health, all things tech  and raising a teenager – which is about as easy as nailing jelly to the ceiling

Email: [email protected] 

Tel: 01380 724264

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/garygotham

Revd Tracey Lewis

Pastoral Responsibility: Trowbridge United, Trowbridge Wesley Road, Westbury Methodist, Westbury URC and Holt URC

I come, originally, from Cardiff in South Wales. I was a member of a united URC/Methodist Church until I applied for ministerial training and went to study in Manchester.

My first pastorate was with two United Reformed Churches in the West Midlands. I then took a career break while my children were small and enjoyed being part of a local community in Hertfordshire with other parents and studied for an M.A in applied theology and mission.

Returning to Ministry I served in a URC in Bristol for 15 years where I was involved in the rebuilding and development of the church buildings for community use, the exploration of the Bible with the congregation, arranging several pilgrimages to Iona and was Chair of the Bristol Multi Faith Forum.

I have served on the URC Mission Committee and Mission Council.

I have 2 grown up children. My interests include cooking, knitting, occasional art projects, reading and I enjoy walking and gardening.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01225 759170