Meet the Team

St Thomas Clergy Team

Fr Terry Litherland

Details

I was one of the first Ordained Local Ministers in the Manchester Diocese in 1993, working as a self-supporting Priest in the Horwich & Rivington United Benefice (4 Parish Churches). My 'day job' was as a Carpenter & Joiner, for almost 50 years. I retired at 65, giving me time to take on other voluntary community roles. Having grown up in that community, it was an immense privilege to minister to families I had known all my life. Moving to Exeter to be near to family, it is now a great privilege to be Honorary Priest at St Thomas. My wife and I enjoy exploring this wonderful corner of England and, if it rains, I have always got plenty to read, crosswords to solve and Classic FM to 'lose myself' in.

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St Thomas Clergy Team

Mr Philip Baker, Licensed Lay Minister

Details

My name is Phil, I am a Licensed Lay Minister. I was born in Shorne in Kent, and attended school in Tonbridge. After spending two years in South Africa I started an 18 year career in Agriculture, working for the Potato Marketing Board in Kent and Devon. I was admitted to the Office of Reader and first licensed to Shorne Parish in 1978. I have been licensed to St Thomas since 2002. My interests include sailing, theatre and local government.

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St Thomas Clergy Team

Liz Dunbar, Lay Pioneer Minister

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My name is Liz and I am a Pioneer Licensed Lay Minister at St Thomas. I trained in Pioneer Mission and in 2025 became the first licensed lay pioneer in the Diocese of Exeter! I am passionate about expanding how we think about and do mission as the Church, and am always looking for new ideas for ways to engage our community and share the transformational love of God. When not working, I enjoy walking, cycling, gardening, and yoga.

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St Thomas Clergy Team

The Rev'd Sarah Cumming

Details

My name is Sarah Cumming and I joined St Thomas after being Ordained in September 2019. I have lived in Exeter for 21 years, which is the longest I've lived anywhere! I trained as a Primary School Teacher and will continue to teach part-time while working in this parish as an Assistant Priest. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, sewing and knitting, and chatting to friends over a cuppa.

Please note Sarah is currently on secondment to the Parish of St Davids, so is not currently ministering in St Thomas.

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