Marina's Life Story 1934-2022

1980

India

India

In 1980, aged 46, Marina was asked to assist a Christian community which included a choice, school and medical facility in Andhra Pradesh, India, the home of her birth. She supported the Ebenezer Church and its programs for a number of years and visited India many times.

1979

Beth Shalom

Beth Shalom

With no idea where they were going to do this, they took a leap of faith, gave up the security of the Methodist church, and started looking for a suitable property to buy. The most suitable one was the only one they could afford – a derelict ten-bedroom farmhouse which..Read More

1978

Conference and retreat centre

Conference and retreat centre

Then, in 1978 Marina and Eddie made the momentous decision to give up their roles in the Methodist Church and start something new from scratch; a conference and retreat centre for people from all walks of the Christian life to reflect on what their faith should mean in practical terms..Read More

1976

Full-time ministers wife

Full-time ministers wife

In 1976 Marina gave up full-time teaching and became a full-time Minister’s wife; a role she truly made her own.

1971

Move to Nottinghamshire

Move to Nottinghamshire

In 1971, the young family moved to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire – and two years later to the mining town of New Ollerton.

1967

Stephen & James’ Births

Stephen & James’ Births

In April 1967, Stephen was born – followed in July 1969 by James during the week of the lunar landing.

1964

Wedding

Eddie and Marina were married on the 15th of August 1964, moving soon after to Ashbourne, where Marina taught at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. With the Manse next door to the school, she used to jump over the fence when running late for teaching a class!

1960

1960-1963

1960-1963

By 1960, aged 26, Marina was a teacher at Sedgehill Comprehensive in London – one of the first Comprehensives in the country. Three years later she moved to Derbyshire, becoming Head of Religious Education at Spondon Park Grammar School. It was here in Derbyshire that she met Eddie, then the..Read More

1959

Divinity student at Westminster College

Divinity student at Westminster College

At 25, she became a Divinity student at Westminster College, Oxford, where she obtained her Certificate in Religious Education.

1948

1948-1952

1948-1952

At 14, Marina moved to England and attended Chislehurst Grammar School. By 18, she was at Southlands Teacher Training College, Wimbledon. Her first teaching post was at Gallions Mount Primary School, Plumstead, where Marina energetically engaged in everything from music and the production of school plays to Sunday School, youth..Read More