Our Clergy

Revd Canon David King SSC
Vicar

Fr David trained at St Stephen's House in Oxford and has served in Bexhill and Eastbourne before coming to be Vicar of St Richard's (and Rector of St Marys Balcombe).

He is married to Hilary and they have four grown up children.

Prior to ordination Fr David was a teacher, teaching in Crawley before moving to a special school for children with cerebral palsy.

He enjoys cycling, playing badminton, cricket and stoolball. He is also learning to play the saxophone.

Revd Canon Rebecca Swyer
Deacon

Revd Rebecca works for the Diocese of Chichester as Director for Apostolic Life and has responsibility for both ordained and lay Christians to further their spiritual journey.

A member of General Synod, she is also chair of the Board of Studies at St Augustine’s College of Theology, an associate lecturer at the University of Chichester and a Canon of Chichester Cathedral. 

Rebecca is married to Fr David, who is Priest in charge of the parish church of Portslade. They have three grown up children: Lizzie, Charlie and Nick. 

Retired Clergy
We are blessed at St Richard's to have a number of other retired clergy who have made St Richard's their spiritual home and who support the work of the parish.

Canon Clay Knowles SSC

Fr Clay trained at Rippon College, Cuddesdon. During his ministry Fr Clay was the Vicar of St Paul's Cathedral on the Island of St Helena for three years before coming back to the UK to be Team Vicar at the Good Shepherd. He then became the Adult Education Advisor for the Diocese of Chichester. He was also Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Burgess Hill.

Fr Clay is married to Jackie; they have two grown up children and several grand children.

Canon John Twisleton SSC

Former scientific researcher Canon Dr John Twisleton trained at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield and has ministered in Doncaster, Coventry, London, Sussex and Guyana where he trained Amerindian priests and married Anne. They have three sons: David, John and James. 

Fr John has served as mission adviser in London and Chichester Dioceses. He broadcasts on Premier Christian Radio, is a Bible Reading Fellowship and Amazon author and is involved in the London Centre for Spiritual Direction and Haywards Heath Community Arts and Culture Board. His personal website is https://twisleton.co.uk/

Canon Lambert Poodhun SSC

Fr Lambert is married to Ivy, they have grown up children and several grandchildren.