About Us
Get to know St Johns
We’re a vibrant Christian community who have been a part of the fabric of Newcastle since the church was consecrated in 1860.
We’d love you to join us.
In addition to our worship services, St Johns also provides many opportunities to be a part of our community through our network of small groups, which include meditation, prayer and study groups. We also have a playgroup for toddlers, an eco-care team, and a youth and children’s ministry.
OUR TEAM
Meet the team here at St John's Anglican Church, Cooks Hill.
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Kimberly Sawyer
Priest in Charge
Kimberly’s greatest joy is to help people to know Christ and to be with His people in community. She loves to connect with all ages and began her formal ministry as a school Chaplain before moving to Parish ministry. Kimberly says, “Being able to lead such a vibrant community of faith here at St John’s is a wonderful privilege”.
Kimberly arrived in Cooks Hill with a menagerie of animals. She has two adult children. In her spare time she may be found with her new dog park friends or swimming with the locals.
Ken Youman
Honorary Associate Priest
After retiring as an Electrical Engineer, Ken retrained as a Minister and after a time in full-time ministry, moved to Cooks Hill with his wife Margret. He now volunteers his time at St John’s, leading a number of services and activities, including the weekly Zoom bible study, each week and sharing our wedding and baptism ministry with Kimberly.
Ken has a great heart for people and has a warm and deep spirituality.
Wendy James
Office Administration
Wendy leaves no stone unturned in her quest to solve the numerous administrative riddles and mysteries that confront the St John’s community.
She writes crime and historical novels and has worked as a researcher, editor, educator and bookseller.
Cat McKay
Ministry Intern
Cat is training for ordained ministry at St John’s. She is passionate about the Church reaching out to reflect God’s love and justice in our lives and in the world, and is grateful to do so as
part of the faithful, welcoming and enthusiastic community at St Johns.
Prior to training for ministry Cat was a criminal lawyer. She is also involved with the
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and otherwise can be found engaged in
experimental baking, unfinished sewing projects and musical pursuits of questionable quality.
Rosemary Ponnekanti
Organist
Rosemary Ponnekanti is an organist at St John’s, with nearly four decades of liturgical organ
experience.
She is also an accomplished pianist, flutist and professional double bass player, and a
lifelong choral singer. She composes, arranges and teaches.
She loves to share her gifts and enthusiastically nurtures the musical gifts in others at St
Johns.