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  • Meet the Team

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Our Minister & Team

 

Minister 

 

Reverend Carla Maurer grew up in St.Gallen. She studied history and philosophy in Berne in 1999. During her first years as a student, Carla became particularly interested with the relations of society, church and politics in Europe and she developed a passion for Christian theology – intellectually, as well as spiritually. In 2007, Carla graduated in Reformed Theology.

She then moved to Strasbourg in France to work for the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches and became engaged in ecumenical cooperation which became an important part of her theology. Carla was a board member of the European Forum of European Christian Women (EFECW) from 2010-2014 where she coordinated the first Pop Up Monastery.

Before becoming the Minister of the Swiss Church in London in 2013, Carla worked for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church as executive officer on a property and mission project. Theologians such as Teresa of Avila, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Peter Rollins, and Ruth Epting who was the first woman to be ordained in Basel and founder of the EFECW are an inspiration to her.

Carla is married to Julian Simmons, a London based record producer. They have a son, Yuvi Mark, born in 2018.

In her spare time, Carla loves to read, to take advantage of London’s rich cultural life (especially museums and theatres) or to enjoy a cool pint of ale down at the local pub. You might see her on one of her runs or stretching her body in a yoga class. In a previous life, Carla was the singer in a band. She still enjoys going to rock concerts, but she leaves the majority of her own singing to church hymns now.

Email: carla.maurer@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

 

Venue Manager 

Therese Theurillat grew up in Basel. After extensive travels, she studied International Relations in Geneva and obtained her Masters in International Policies and Crisis Management in Rome. She gained some insightful work experience at the Swiss Embassy in Washington DC and various international Organisations in Geneva.

After years of business and education, she focused on personal growth, emotional well-being and reignited her creativity. She unravelled her passion for creative writing, interior design, and English literature, which paved her way to the UK in 2017. She fostered her creativity and passion for acting with the HNC Course of Acting. On her blog, she shares her feminist viewpoints, and in addition, she launched her podcast about Shakespeare last year. She loves to connect, celebrate, and foster relationships with different people, therefore she is happy to take on the role of Venue Manager at the Swiss Church in London.

Phone: 07590 879 201

Email: venue@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

Office days: Wednesday – Friday

www.theresetheurillat.com

 

Director of Music & Organist

Peter Yardley-Jones OrganistPeter Yardley-Jones FRSA BMus(Hons), is a first-class honours graduate in music from the University of Glasgow. From 2006-2008 he was University Organ Scholar and in 2008 he was appointed Assistant Organist at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Glasgow and Organist at Houston & Killellan Kirk. During his time in Glasgow, Peter studied organ with Kevin Bowyer and renowned Bach scholar, Prof. John Butt OBE. Widely respected as a performer, Peter was awarded the Muriel Thorne Hague Memorial Prize, by his University for achieving the greatest distinction in performance and in 2005 won first prize in the nationwide Geoffrey Spiers Organ Competition.

As a recitalist he has performed at many UK Cathedrals and Concert Halls and has performed on many solo USA tours. In addition Peter has been organist for several BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4 broadcasts and for BBC Television’s Songs of Praise.

Outside of his music profession, he works in online advertising and is also a licensed flying instructor for aeroplanes.

www.peteryardleyjones.com

 

Finance Officer 

Janice O’Brien

Janice grew up in the Midlands and after an initial career in finance and HR left BT to take up a place at drama school. After completing her studies, she moved to London where she has lived ever since.

After a time of performing in fringe and West End stage productions Janice moved into stand-up comedy working in London cabaret venues and taking one-woman shows to the Edinburgh fringe. This is when she discovered a love for writing and began to write for other comedians and artists, for stage, TV, and short films.

She then returned to her finance career working for an advertising company, progressing onto operations and systems in other business industries in the UK, US and EC. Janice very much enjoyed the challenges of operations, solving organisation’s complex business needs whilst minimising disruption. But feeling a strong need for a creative outlet, (and after years of intensive travel and long hours), Janice decided to downsize her career to free up time for writing.

In recent years she has worked part-time in operations whilst having time to write. She has entered writing competitions and been shortlisted for, a TV comedy series based on her voluntary experience with the police community, a short film script about a blind boy and a thriller feature film depicting a compulsive and destructive attraction.

Janice feels that she has finally got the balance right with dual careers. The satisfying, rewarding issues of business productivity and process, and the creative nourishment of putting pen to paper.

Email: finance@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

Janice works part-time and can best be reached via email. 

 

Office Admin Assistant 

Ryan Moshwe is the Office Admin Assistant for the Swiss Church in London. Ryan is a born and bred Londoner and Camden resident who has joined the Swiss Church team initially through the Camden Giving Pathways into Employment scheme.

Ryan does YouTube for a hobby, mainly about gaming. Video games have been part of his whole life. He hopes that someday he can make that hobby into a career because he enjoys it very much and it’s fun. Ryan also plays football with his friends and likes the occasional day trip to the seaside.

Phone: 020 7836 1418

Email: admin-assistant@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

Ryan works Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-3pm.

 

Diane Chappalley, Art Programme Manager (artist)

Diane Chappalley is a Swiss artist based in London. She accomplished her MA at the Slade School of Fine Art and previously her BA at City & Guilds of London Art School. In 2018, she received the Alice Bailly Award by the foundation in Switzerland. She recently had solo exhibitions at Lychee One Gallery and Taymour Grahne Projects in London.

In her role as Art Programme Manager Diane works with the Art Committee and church team with the planning and implementing of the programme and liaises with artists for workshops, residencies and exhibitions.

Diane works part-time and can best be reached via email. 

www.dianechappalley.com

 

Art Programme Manager (artist)

Lizzy Drury is an Artist based in London. Since completing her Masters in Painting at the Royal College of Art in 2017, she has exhibited her drawings across the UK and India.

She is also co-founder of Hot Desque, a nomadic arts practice that presents theatrical contemporary art exhibitions, installations, workshops and essays. Her areas of research include Object Attachment Theory, deep ecology and Re-Enchantment.

In her role as Art Programme Manager, Lizzy supports the Art Committee and church team with the planning and implementing of the Art Programme.

Diane works part-time and can best be reached via email. 

Email: artscommunity@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

 

Church Warden: Errol Love 

Caretaker: Rupert Ackroyd

Swiss Church News Editor: James Rasa

 

Swiss Church London Consistoire

 

The Consistoire (equivalent of a Parish Council) is the Governing Body of the Swiss Church in London and administers and manages the Swiss Church in London, its property and its internal and external affairs in accordance with the constitution.

To contact the Consistoire email: info@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

Members of the Consistoire

Daniel Everett 
President of the Consistoire

Member since 2023

Daniel is an accomplished international executive with over 25 years of cross-industry experience spanning Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the UK. He grew up in London prior to relocating to Switzerland in 1994 to start his career. Daniel has since taken on various leadership roles including CEO and Managing Director for companies across diverse sectors. After spending most of h
is professional life abroad, Daniel returned to London in 2022 for a new business opportunity. Eager to connect with his Swiss roots, he actively volunteers with local Swiss community groups such as recent events for Swiss National Day and at the Swiss Church.
An avid photographer and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, skiing and paddle boarding, Daniel brings a well-rounded perspective. As he joins the Board of Trustees, he looks forward to lending his expertise in business, governance and management to support the team’s mission and continued development to increase community impact. His international outlook coupled with deep community commitment make Daniel a dynamic addition to the leadership team.

Katrin Frey 
Vice-President of the Consistoire

Safeguarding and Marriage Registrar
Member since 2021

Katrin Frey grew up in Frenkendorf (BL) and studied Theology at the Universities of Basel, Zurich and Be’er Sheva (IL). Her main interests were and are Feminist and Intersectional Theologies, Semitistic, as well as Theology in TV and Film such as the BBC’s Doctor Who. Katrin remains inspired by trailblazers like Marga Bührig, Teresa of Avila or Nadia Bolz-Weber. Fascinated by funny languages, Katrin has been learning Welsh for a couple of years.

In 2017 Katrin moved to London for a change of scenery and to follow the call of the big city. (She still hopes to bump into Helen Mirren one day…) Here she first worked in German translation and content creation for SEGA among others and then in Buying Administration for Lidl UK between 2019 and 2022. In October 2022 Katrin has taken over caring responsibilities of her baby nephew.

At the Swiss Church Katrin is your Safeguarding Officer and the responsible person to authorise weddings (same sex and opposite sex). For 2022 she was acting chair and since the end of the year vice president. Katrin lives in Raynes Park with her family.

You can reach Katrin under this email address: safeguarding@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

 

Niccolo Aliano 
Trustee

Niccolò was born and grew in Florence, Italy, from a Swiss mother and an Italian father. His Swiss side of the family hails from Val-de-Travers, in the canton of Neuchâtel, but his relatives are now spread across Ticino, Geneva, and the Valais. Niccolò discovered the Swiss Church by chance in 2013 while he was studying history at King’s College London, and was confirmed there in July of 2015. While living in London, he led Still Reforming, a project uniting 13 different churches, including the Swiss Church in London, for the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Niccolò moved to Scotland in 2016, first to St. Andrews, where he obtained a masters in Reformation Studies, and then to Edinburgh, where he began a PhD on the link between the friendships and theological thought of James Ussher, a seventeenth-century Protestant archbishop of Ireland. He also started training to become a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church; however, the consequences of the Covid pandemic have paused this for now. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Consistoire, with whom he hopes to help strengthen the ministry of the Swiss Church.

 

Lindsey Wiercioch
Trustee
Lindsey Wiercioch is a Californian artist and curator based in London and Newcastle. She works primarily with public programming surrounding the pursuit and encouragement of arts education within arts institutions and communities, and has worked with various arts charity organisations in London, such as the Swiss Church, Brent Biennial (Brent2020) and Metroland Cultures. She has also worked with other Contemporary arts organisations and projects both in the US (e.g., the Laguna Festival of the Arts) and abroad (e.g., ARTE, Berlin).
After working with the Swiss Church since 2021, Lindsey is thrilled to continue her work with the Church as a Trustee and looks forward to helping develop both the Arts Programme and the Church’s community even further.

 

Mr Philip Maillardet
Trustee
History and Archives
Member since 2009

 

Mrs Cécile Mistry
Trustee
Catering Manager, Food safety
Member since 2009

 

Counsel General Mr Thomas Wagner
Since 2022. Ex-officio observer from the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom.