The Minister
Revd Debbie Brown
Revd Debbie Brown has been a Minister since 2009. She came to Coventry after ten and a half years of Ministry on the Wirral where, over the years, she had pastoral oversight for five churches. Debbie’s employment before her call to Ministry was in nursing and social care. Her interests and hobbies are reading, aqua aerobics and trips to the theatre. Debbie and her husband, Clive, enjoy travelling to places of interest, going out for meals and occasional trips to the cinema. They are both originally from the East Midlands
The Trustees
Karen Adams
Karen was brought to what was then Holyhead Road URC as a baby by her parents and has been worshipping at the church ever since. She took on the role of Team Leader of the Girls’ Brigade Company when her Mum, Sue, retired from the role. Karen undertook the URC’s TLS (Training for Leadership and Service) course in 2001/2 under Revd Bill Young’s tutelage and little did she know then that this, along with encouragement from a number of Ministers and friends in the congregation, would lead to her becoming a locally accredited lay preacher, regularly leading worship in Coventry and Warwickshire. She loves the fellowship at this church and always has a desire to create what she terms ‘oomphh’ – enthusiasm and energy for all aspects of our Christian life. Karen works as a Risk Manager for NFU Mutual and undertook the challenge of an MBA through Edinburgh Business School whilst working full time, running Girls’ Brigade and participating in church life! In her spare time, she enjoys reading, sitting in the garden (cared for by her Mum!) and spending time on holiday!
Nick Leonard
Former Hearsall Baptist Church member Nick is the Church Secretary for the LEP. He also heads up our worship band and, with wife Annie, is a member of the Sherbourne Singers. With his love of music, Nick leads on a community outreach initiative called ‘Coexist’ in the Pub across the road from church where, once a month, anybody is welcome to create music, tell stories, read poems or just sit and enjoy what is on offer.
Sue Adams
Sue has been associated with the former Holyhead Road URC since 1956 when, with her parents and sister, she moved to live in Coundon. She was a member of both the choir and ChiRho group (youth group) for several years. In 1964, when the 7th Coventry Girls’ Brigade Company was formed, Sue was one of the founder members and later became Captain. She is still involved with the Company over 50 years later. Sue became an Elder in 2008 Church Secretary in 2014; she continues to support the church as a Trustee of the LEP. Sue retired from Coventry City Council in 2012 after 28 years there. A keen gardener, she helps to keep the church grounds looking tidy, planting flower beds in memory of her husband who passed away in 2007. Her other interests include swimming, walking and knitting. She formed a Knit and Natter Group at the church in 2018. Sue has two children, Karen and Richard (both of whom are active within SCC life) and enjoys spending time with them, her daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and now a great-grandchild too!
Denise Rée
Denise is the newest of SCC’s Trustees, elected in the Spring of 2025. Formerly a member at Hearsall Baptist Church, Denise co-ordinates room bookings. She also runs the church’s Ministry of Flowers – liaising with Sunday flower sponsors, creating arrangements and ensuring that the flowers are sent to somebody after worship to let them know that we are thinking of them. Denise was a member of Hearsall’s worship band and has continued in this role within SCC as well as joining the Sherbourne Singers. With her son Peter (who also assists with the church’s AV), Denise co-produces the new church magazine, The Sherbourne Star. In her working life, Denise supports children with special needs in a Warwickshire school; in her free time she maintains an allotment, is a Girl Guiding leader and a proud Gran. Her other hobbies include painting and all sorts of crafts.
John Butler
John moved to attend Holyhead Road URC in 1997 following the closure of Radford URC which he had attended since childhood. He was an Elder and Church Secretary there for some 15 years. John joined the Elders’ team at Holyhead Road URC in 1998 and has served as Elder and now Trustee (with breaks for sabbaticals) since then. John retired from the Civil Service in 2006, having worked in Coventry, Birmingham and West Bromwich offices. After retirement, he served on the West Midlands Synod Listed Buildings Advisory Committee as Secretary from 2006 to 2013. John’s interests include motorcycle speedway, rambling and classic car shows, where his Rover 400 often appears amongst the club displays at summer events.
Muriel Young
Muriel moved to Holyhead Road URC following the closure of St. Columba’s URC which she had attended for many years. She became an Elder at HHR and, following the formation of the LEP, continues as a Trustee of the new church.
Eric Bremner
Eric, originally from Australia, was a long standing member and Deacon at Hearsall Baptist Church. In his youth he attended Bible College in Australia and puts this to use, sometimes leading worship at our church. He is now Chair of Trustees at SCC. Happily retired, Eric has a vast range of business expertise which helps him to scrutinise things carefully on behalf of our LEP!
Eric is also the Chair of Bardsley Youth Trust, a Coventry charity which supports young people at risk of homelessness.
Steve Powell
Steve was the Church Treasurer at Holyhead Road URC and has continued the role within SCC, having previously been a serving Elder (between sabbaticals) for around 40 years. He was responsible for HHR’s church magazine, the Holyhead Herald, for several years. He retired from his career as an accountant in local government finance in 2019, having worked in Coventry and Birmingham. His interests include various sports, classical music and cycling. Steve is also the Synod Treasurer for the United Reformed Church in the West Midlands. He is married to Janet who also attends SCC.
Sherbourne Community Church, Coventry 