Angie Allport
Angie is a deacon in the Herefordshire (South and East) Circuit, which is just in the Birmingham District, working in Hereford and the small rural towns of Bromyard and Ledbury. She is passionate about social justice and is an active campaigner on a number of issues. Angie is a founding member of the Network of Methodist Activists and Secretary of the Methodist Peace Fellowship.
Measuring Up: Living by a Rule of Life
Sheryl Anderson
The Revd Dr Sheryl Anderson is the Chair of the Liverpool Methodist District. She studied theology at King’s College London, and has served in circuits on the South Coast of England and in South East London. Before the Liverpool appointment, Sheryl was Ministerial Coordinator for Oversight of Ordained Ministries in the Connexional Team. Sheryl’s background is in teaching and social work, specialising in work with young offenders. Prior to entering the Methodist ministry she managed young offender services for South East Kent. Sheryl enjoys cooking for her family and her friends. She also understands punctuation and has a wicked sense of humour.
What image of God are we using here?
Life, the Universe, and Everything
It seems that marriage and relationships have always been complicated
The Truth Looks Different From Here
O Worship the King, all glorious above
George Bailey
George is the moderator of Theology Everywhere. The rest of the time he is a Co-Superintendent in Leeds North and East Circuit and a lecturer at Cliff College. He has been in ministry in Leeds for sixteen years, including previously in the Leeds (Wesley) Circuit. He has been minister with four Local Ecumenical Partnerships and was District Ecumenical Officer for four years. He has studied theology in Oxford, Manchester and Cambridge, and now at Cliff College is the lecturer in Mission and Wesleyan Studies. His call has always included a mixture of academic study and practical ministry – Theology Everywhere is the just one outworking of that.
Capitalocene, new materialisms, solidarity
Covenant Theology for the Covenant Service
Diverse performances of one script
Doctrine, diversity and dialogue
Is it Church? Is it a means of grace?
Jill Baker
Jill Baker lives in Glasgow and is glad to be part of the small but distinctive Methodist Church in Scotland. She is a local preacher and local preachers’ tutor in the Strathclyde circuit. The past 25 years have included all sorts of roles within Methodism in Britain and further afield (mission partner in the South Caribbean) and is the Vice-President of Conference 2017-18. In any spare time Jill enjoys walking in the mountains of Scotland, gardening and writing; she blogs at www.northoftheborder.wordpress.com and “Thanks Peter God”, her book about the life of her son, Peter, who died in 2012, was published in 2016.
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Tim Baker
Tim Baker is a local preacher in the Aire and Calder Circuit and the Churches & Volunteers Officer (North) for All We Can. He is husband to Hannah and recently became a father, of the lovely Martha Grace. Tim is passionate about a range of social justice issues and a firm believer that the church has a role to play in challenging injustice and building a better world. Tim is the Editor of The Vine – fully scripted local arrangement services produced by Twelve Baskets, a member of Methodist Council and a regular contributor to worship in his home church, Methley Methodist.
Sacred space: how online worship is changing us
‘Keep us from just singing’: Worship and justice belong together
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something monastic…
Tony Barnes
Trevor Bates
Trevor is a supernumerary Methodist minister living in Leeds. Served in the Leeward Islands as minister, and Chair of British Honduras 1954 – 1969; then in circuits in Leeds, and Lancashire 1972 – 1993. Involved with interfaith activity in Leeds and edited and partly authored the publication : ‘A Leeds Interfaith Story 1946 – 2016’. Sings with the Leeds Wesley Singers, performs humorous monologues. Married to Judith and together we have four sons and four grandchildren – and are an international and diverse family.
Brian Beck
Brian Beck. Born 1933, graduated from Cambridge (Corpus Christi College and Wesley House), served as Assistant Tutor at Handsworth College (1957-9), and thereafter in the East Suffolk Circuit. Ordained 1960. Methodist tutor at St Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru, Kenya, 1962-68, then recalled to be Tutor in New Testament at Wesley House, Cambridge, becoming Principal in 1980. In 1984 he was appointed Secretary of the Conference, served as President 1963-4 and became supernumerary in 1998. Awarded the Lambeth D.D. in 1998, he has published books and articles on New Testament and Methodist subjects. Married to Margaret, three daughters, six grandchildren.
Jan Berry
Let the People Sing: The Power of Hymns and Songs
Worship from the heart? Ways of understanding worship and liturgy
Inderjit Bhogal
Inderjit Bhogal is serving as a Regional Learning and Development Officer for the Bristol and West Midlands region. He is a former President of the Methodist Conference and Founder of the City of Sanctuary Movement.
A More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Take Art: Light Emerging from Dark and Dwelling
Black and White in the Bible: a Biblical Reflection
Illuminating darkness: where is God in all this?
Reconciliation – Widest Extremes to Join
Refugees: People fleeing danger and seeking sanctuary
David Bidnell
David is a Methodist minister living with his family in Huddersfield, where he has been Circuit Superintendent for the last nine years. Previously he worked with three congregations in suburban London and before that spent time working for the Methodist Church of Haiti. Prior to his theological education in Manchester he studied French and German at Durham University. Interpreting stories is a central part of how he lives out his faith and discipleship, because of the way they open up possibilities for self-understanding, for making sense of the world and for relating with others.
Would you trust this man? Genesis 12:10-20
Out of the mouth of the serpent – Genesis 3
Resurrection – Picking up the Threads of a World Re-imagined
Catherine Bird
Darkness in the Judeo-Christian Tradition and beyond
In Defence of Darkness: In pursuit of a theology of balance
James Blackhall
James is a Local Preacher in the Leicester Trinity Circuit and the Churches Engagement Officer at the St Philip’s Centre Leicester which aims to equip Christians to engage well with people of other faiths. After studying for an MA in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds he moved to Leicester to begin work as Messy Church, Schools and Community Worker in the Leicester Trinity Circuit a role he still holds Prior to working at the St Philip’s Centre he worked for as the Liaison Worker at Bishop Street Methodist Church, Leicester working primarily with twelve steps groups exploring Christian spirituality with those who came through the church doors.
Paul Bridges
Paul and his family live in Penistone, South Yorkshire. He is the Manager of Huddersfield Mission, a Methodist charity in the heart of Huddersfield which supports anyone through its community café and advice service but is best known for its support of people who vulnerable due to multiple and complex needs. Paul has worked almost exclusively in the charity sector, primarily with organisations that address both immediate and long term issues. Paul Is a Local Preacher in the Denby Dale and Clayton West Circuit where he enjoys leading worship in a way that encourages participatory theology.
A theology of success for faith-based projects
Sandra Brower
Sandra Brower is a lecturer and the BA Theology Programme Lead at Cliff College, in Derbyshire. Originally from Canada, she came to the UK for MA and PhD studies. She has experience in church planting and chaplaincy.
Sandra lives in Buxton with her husband and two children. She chairs the school’s PTA, leads worship in her parish’s Messy Church, and has taught piano for over 25 years.
Sandra’s research interests include the theology of worship, the doctrine of the ascension, and the relationship between food and theology. She is keen to explore issues relating to mental health, and the theology of hospitality.
A Season to Confront the Cracks to Find the Light
Joss Bryan
Dr Jocelyn Bryan is Academic Dean and Cranmer Hall Tutor at St John’s College, Durham. She is also Director of the Doctor in Theology and Ministry programme and teaches Pastoral and Practical Theology, Human Sexuality, Gender and Christian Ministry and Psychology and Christian Ministry. She has worked in Ministerial Formation for over a decade, before which she worked in management for a large computer company. Her PhD is in psychology. Jocelyn’s main research interest is in the interdisciplinary field of psychology, theology and ministry. She has recently published Human Being: Insights from Psychology and the Christian Faith and co-edited The Christian Handbook of Abuse, Addiction and Difficult Behaviour. She has also contributed two chapters to a book on Sexual Issues and published a number of reflections on pastoral challenges in the volume Facing The Issues. She is the editor of the St John’s College Online Journal Theology and Ministry.
Advent Thoughts on Self-esteem and Humility
Ageing, Dementia, Narrative and Identity
Tony Buglass
David Clough
David Clough is Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of Chester. He has written on the ethics of Karl Barth and Christian pacifism, but for the last ten years has focussed his research on the place of animals in Christian theology and ethics. He is a Methodist Local Preacher, has been part of national ecumenical working groups on war and climate change, and is a member of the Methodist Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment.
Theology, Asylum, and Politics in a World on Fire
What does the British Methodist Church have to do with slavery?
Methodists and Other Animals: Time to Reclaim a Legacy
Richard Clutterbuck
Richard is a Research Fellow with Wesley House, Cambridge, and editor of the journal Holiness. A British Methodist presbyter he studied theology in Birmingham and Dublin before being sent to Tonga to teach in Sia’atoutai Theological College. He has been superintendent minister in a north London Circuit and principal of theological training institutions in Britain and Ireland. Richard has an academic interest in Christian doctrine and is the author of the Grove book, Doctrine and Change. He’s a persistent allotment gardener, a fair-weather cyclist and a keen choral singer.
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Good and Bad Theology – and Why They Matter
‘I could drink a case of you’: Joni Mitchell, Charles Wesley and the Renewal of Sacramentalism
Sally Coleman
Currently based in Sheffield, Sally is a mum to 5 children, a grandma to 2, and a Methodist Minister (Presbyter), but as usual those titles don’t really describe who she is. As a convert from no faith, she is a seeker and one who walks the boundaries of faith seeking to include those who might feel marginalised in any way. Her particular passion is to engage with those who would describe themselves as spiritual but not religious.
She is a passionate photographer, and enjoys swimming and walking. She dabbles with painting in acrylic.
Where is the church? Where is Christ?
Into the future; navigating a time of change
Christopher Collins
A Black Country lad by birth, Christopher is currently living in Wolverhampton and was ordained a Presbyter in 2015 after twelve years working in financial audit. Training at The Queen’s Foundation helped Chris to explore the essential call of the church to be a prophetic voice in the public square. Chris is a self-confessed Methodist “geek” and enjoys collecting books, good coffee, Test Match Special and Big Bang Theory.
Blesed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
The silk road to reconciliation
Creative, Innovative and Risk-Taking Peacemakers
Sue Culver
Gill Dascombe
Whither Mr. Wesley’s Preachers?
James Dunn
James Dunn is Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University, where he taught from 1982 (previously at the University of Nottingham). He has PhD and DD from Cambridge, and is a Fellow of the British Academy. He has authored over twenty monographs, most recently a trilogy on Christianity in the Making. His doctoral pupils teach in many different parts of the world. He is married to Meta (they have three children) and functioned as a Methodist Local Preacher for forty years. In 2009 they retired to Chichester to be nearer their daughters.
David Easton
Consenting to make myself yet more vile
Aaron Edwards
Aaron Edwards is the MA Programme Lead and Lecturer in Theology at Cliff College. He is widely published in theology, philosophy, and preaching, and is the author of the forthcoming A Theology of Preaching and Dialectic (2018) and co-editor of the T&T Clark Companion to the Theology of Kierkegaard (2018). Formerly, he was a Teaching Fellow in Divinity at the University of Aberdeen, lecturing on religion, politics, and cultural crisis. He has spoken at numerous academic conferences in Chicago, Durham, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Baltimore, Copenhagen, and others. His church background is Newfrontiers, with whom he has served local churches in various pastoral and leadership capacities.
Colonial Logic and Progressive Christianity
Graham Edwards
Graham is the Superintendent Minister in the Macclesfield Circuit, having previously spent eight years in West Yorkshire. Before he became a Methodist minister, Graham was employed as a Lay Worker and Youth Worker in several churches. He is interested the way Methodism is experienced within church communities and is currently researching how this shared experience reveals the nature of “lived Methodism”.
David Field
“You have nothing to do but save souls”: John Wesley on Evangelism and the Pursuit of Justice
Joyce Firth
Richard Firth
Responding to Need. Acts 6.1-7
Will Fletcher
Will is a Methodist presbyter in the Central Sussex United Area. This is his first appointment having been in the final cohort to train at Wesley House, Cambridge. As part of his training he spent a year studying at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
Away from ministry Will plays for the Patcham Silver Band. He also follows the fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club which has been less painful recently than for most of his life!
Shall we settle for Church Disunity?
Celebrating Easter when it still feels like Good Friday
Insects… God in the here and now
We are the brass band of Christ
Ruth Gee
The Rev’d Ruth Gee is Chair of the Darlington District of the Methodist Church. She served as President of the Methodist Conference in 2013-2014 and is currently Chair of the Methodist Council and Moderator of the Churches Together in England Forum. Ruth has served as a Minister in the Bradford Trinity and Halifax Circuits and before entering ordained ministry was a teacher of Religious Studies. Ruth was awarded an M.Litt in theology for research into Christian concepts of parenthood and the new reproductive technologies. She enjoys teaching, preaching and occasional opportunities in broadcasting.
Waiting expectantly and unseen footprints
Barbara Glasson
Barbara Glasson is a pastoral theologian and Methodist Minister, currently Team Leader at Touchstone, an interfaith project in the heart of Bradford. She has written four books that describe her work at Somewhere Else (The Bread Church) as well as reflections on what it means to survive and live as prophetic communities. Barbara has travelled many times to Pakistan and is also learning to weave!
What can we learn from the Aunties?
Serendipitous encounters – when what’s happening isn’t what you are doing
Tom Greggs
Tom Greggs is Marischal Professor of Divinity at the University of Aberdeen. He is a Local Preacher and a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. Tom is Honorary Professor in Theology at St Mellitus College, and has been an International Visiting Scholar and Visiting Professor in Religion at the University of Virginia. He was a regular preacher at Easter People and has led the bible studies at ECG. His books include New Perspectives for Evangelical Theology and Theology against Religion. He is currently working on a three volume Ecclesiology.
Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest.
Experience in Theology: From One Dimensional Quadrilateral to Multi-Dimensional Hexadecahedron
The Grace of God in the Community of the Church
Gary Hall
Gary Hall in a Presbyter working at the Queen’s Foundation, where he currently teaches contextual theology, ethics, preaching and research, and directs the international Partnership in Theological Education. He previously served circuits in Leeds and Leicester, and worked for the connexional World Church Team in cross-cultural mission training. Gary’s main research interest is the work of Thomas Merton, and he has been editor of the Merton Journal for many years.
Revelation and the love of life
Charity Hamilton
Charity Hamilton is a Methodist minister in Middlesbrough, having previously spent time as a minister in Leeds and briefly served in the Learning Network. She is also currently writing a PhD at the University of Leeds on ‘whether the female body can redeem God?’ and is interested in all things embodied. Charity is happiest when found either under a pile of books or under an unbroken sky, her favourite places being the north east coast and her homeland of Cumbria.
Peter Hancock
Peter Hancock is Chair of the Northampton District and has also served in the Huddersfield (Pennine), Hinckley and Bristol (Kingswood) Circuits. He led the planting of a church for people who don’t go to church – one of Methodism’s first Fresh Expressions (before that title came into being) and currently chairs the Venture FX project management group. He studied foreign languages as well as theology and enjoys all sport and visiting the Glastonbury Festival. He is married to Jane with three daughters and two granddaughters.
The Inconvenience of the Truth
Roy of the Rovers vs. Mammon United
Catrin Harland-Davies
Catrin is a tutor in biblical studies and Director of the Centre for Continuing Ministerial Development, at The Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham. She was previously the Methodist Chaplain at the University of Sheffield, where she spent many rewarding hours putting the world to rights with students, over coffee and cake. Her research interests centre around the New Testament, in particular the epistles, with a focus on the Jewish and Graeco-Roman context within which the early church came into being. She is also interested in the ways in which our biblical interpretation shapes our present-day understanding of the church’s vocation, ministry and discipleship. She is also a terrible drummer, an occasional (and slow) runner, and an enthusiastic walker.
“What’s wrong with you?” – co-written with Rachael Lowe
The Black Lives of History Matter Too
Vocation: An Easter Challenge for the Church
The Priesthood of All Believers
John Howard
John Howard is a recently appointed Mission Partner serving in Israel Palestine, at the Methodist Liaison Office of the World Methodist Council. He was formally Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District for eleven years. He has previously served in circuit at Leeds, Smethwich, Handsworth and Newcastle upon Tyne.
His first degree was in engineering before entering theological training at Wesley House. John is a keen Skier and a Scottish Munroeist. He is married to Mary with three children and three grandchildren.
Reflections on ‘Light and Dark’ in the context of war in Israel/Gaza
How do you develop a ‘theology of grey areas’?
Jesus’ use of the Old Testament
Human or Functionary? Jesus meeting people in role.
Ian Howarth
Ian Howarth is currently the Chair of the Birmingham Methodist District, after serving as a circuit minister since 1985. He graduated in music and spent a short spell as a music teacher before ordination. He continues to sing in choirs and as a soloist. He is married with three adult children. Mark, his youngest son, is severely autistic and is currently in supported living. The twin themes of music and autism have been profound influences on his spirituality and theological thinking.
Whither the Ecumenical Pilgrimage
“He’s not naughty, he’s autistic!”
Ken Howcroft
Ken Howcroft is a Methodist presbyter, now living in retirement as a supernumerary in Lichfield but still kept busy in the life of the Church. As a former President of the Methodist Conference he has chaired a number of bodies including the Task group on Marriage and Relationships which produced the report God in Love Unites Us. He is the President of the Governing Body of the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham. He serves as a member of the Walking with Micah Reference Group. He has a passion for biblical theology.
Lamenting and Hoping: A resurrection song for Christ and the world
Dying and living with contradictory convictions
Jennie Hurd
Jennie Hurd is District Chair of the Cymru Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales, and Superintendent of the Cymru Circuit. Originally from East Yorkshire, she started learning Welsh for her second appointment in the former Glannau Circuit, and this has been one of the great joys of her adult life. She studied English and European Literature at Warwick, and Theology at Birmingham. She is a member of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology, and her particular interest is in pastoral theology and practice.
“There’s always the Our Father.”
Hildegard, Hargitay and Hippocrates
“Alleluia! Christ is risen! “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”
Ermal Kirby
Ermal Kirby is Superintendent of the Barking, Dagenham and Ilford Circuit; and an Associate of the Susanna Wesley Foundation, Roehampton University.
Born in Antigua, Ermal came to England at the age of eight. His theological education and ministerial formation were at Oxford University, and the Caribbean Wesleyan College, Barbados. After 35 years of ministry in the UK – in community development; Circuit ministry; on the Staff of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland; Tutor at the Queen’s Foundation; District Chair – Ermal went to South Africa in 2011, and served for four years as a minister in Cape Town.
Speaking freely about Free Speech
John Lampard
John Lampard is a supernumerary presbyter attending Wesley’s Chapel. 1985-94 he was Connexional Local Preachers’ secretary and introduced ‘Faith & Worship. Since then he has turned his interest to death studies. His doctorate led to publication of the book, ‘Go Forth Christian Soul’, a study of the well-known prayer for the dying. He has also written widely on disposal issues. He was a member for 20 years of the ecumenical Churches’ Funerals Group, which is now, alas, no more. He spends his retirement years enjoying married and family life, an allotment, and the rich quality of liturgy at Wesley’s Chapel.
Carolyn Lawrence
Elaine Lindridge
Elaine Lindridge lives in Newcastle with her husband Stephen and their two older teenage children. For the last 8 years she has worked as an Evangelism Enabler for the Newcastle Upon Tyne District. As part of that work she has facilitated a project called ‘Together’ which seeks to help volunteers work with local churches and projects for a week of focused mission. Stories from this initiative can be found here http://togethermission.co.uk
See what God is doing and join in
Stephen Lindridge
As of September 2015 Stephen returned to North East of England as Chair of District for Newcastle upon Tyne. Great people, good heart, delighted to join them in…Loving God, Serving People & Making Disciples. Previously Stephen served as Connexional Missioner. Married to Elaine and dad to Ruth & Sam.
How do you get through the day?
Mike Long
Mike Long is the minister at Notting Hill Methodist Church in West London, very close to the site of Grenfell Tower where 72 people lost their lives in 2017.
He has served in various appointments for over 30 years in London and the South-East, and also in North Wales. He has published articles on theology and housing, and chaired Shelter’s Commission on Social Housing which produced its report in early 2019.
Mike serves on the Church’s Faith & Order Committee and is currently spending his sabbatical at a theological college in Sri Lanka.
Rachael Lowe
Rachael is currently studying towards a PhD in the field of chemical engineering at the University of Leeds. She served as a 3Generate Social Justice Youth Rep in 2020-2021 and is passionate about conversations with and for disabled people in the church.
Andrew Lunn
Andrew Lunn has been a Methodist minister since 1987. After working in a variety of urban appointments he spent 11 years working at St John’s College, Durham in theological education as part of the Wesley Study Centre. He has been Chair of the Manchester & Stockport District since 2015. He is married to Julie, also a Methodist minister, and lives in a busy household with his two grown-up daughters and baby grandson. He completed a PhD on The Neighbourhood Church in 2012, and in his spare time enjoys reading science fiction novels.
Contemporary Christian Imaginaries
‘Put me to doing, put me to suffering’
Julie Lunn
Julie Lunn is an ordained Methodist presbyter, currently working as Chaplain and lecturer in Practical Theology at Nazarene Theological College, Didsbury, Manchester. Julie teaches in the areas of Practical Theology, Christian Spirituality, and Theology and Art. Julie’s PhD research examined Charles Wesley’s use of ‘resignation’ in his understanding of the sanctification of the Christian believer. Julie’s current area of research is to develop the Christian spirituality themes which emerged from her PhD thesis and to find ways in which they can inform Christian spirituality today.
Julie is married to Andrew and they have two grown-up daughters, Nikki and Kirsty, and a grandson, Elijah.
Resignation: success as becoming nothing
Ed Mackenzie
Dave Markay
Dave Markay and his wife Kristin are both United Methodist presbyters from the USA. After fifteen years as UM mission partners in Lithuania and then Italy, they came to England in 2011. They served in the Sheffield and Barnsley Circuits respectively until 2018, when they become south-Londoners, based in the Southwark & Deptford and Lambeth Circuits. When not distinguishing between the many local Methodist variations on plantains or jollof rice, they enjoy exploring the city, travelling, cycling, hiking, and tracking their globe-trotting children.
Living as disciples in an angry world
Clive Marsh
Professor Clive Marsh has been a Methodist for nearly 40 years, having been brought up Brethren and then having spent extended time amongst Anglicans and Lutherans. All of these influences have been important. He has ended up trying to help people to be attentive to the presence of God in daily life, to think creatively about how faith, life and popular culture interweave, and to explore what happens to theology as a result. Clive has taught in theological colleges and universities at different times, was Faith and Order Committee Secretary in the British Methodist Church (2000-7) and is currently Principal of the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. His most recent publications are A Cultural Theology of Salvation (Oxford University Press 2018), So What’s the Story…? (DLT 2019, co-written with Revd Dr Barbara Glasson) and he has a Grove Booklet What is Salvation For? due out soon.
How contextual can theology really be?
Theology in a Postcolonial Key
Tim Moore
Before becoming a Methodist minister Tim was a police officer in the Metropolitan police and Derbyshire constabulary. He is currently working in the Huddersfield circuit as a pioneer minister teaching mindfulness and helping to form groups of spiritual searchers.
James Morley
James was born in Manchester but has been doing penance on the other side of the Pennines since being ordained as a Methodist Presbyter (serving in the Aire & Calder Circuit and as a co-superintendent in the Sheffield Circuit).
Before ordained ministry, James studied Religious Studies, worked in the voluntary sector and in local government. James loves music – especially rock and metal and plays bass guitar as loudly as possible. Performance poetry has accidentally formed part of James’ ministry and he is particularly interested in contextual and liberation theologies, social justice issues and exploring different ways of Church.
Vulnerability as Creativity: A Spiritual Discipline
Colin Morris
Colin is a Methodist minister who has served in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia 1955-70; President, United Church of Zambia 1965-70; Superintendent, Wesley’s Chapel 1970-73; General Secretary, Overseas Division 1973-78; President of Conference 1976; Head of Religious Broadcasting then BBC Controller in Northern Ireland, 1978-91.
Gill Newton
The Revd Gill Newton is Chair of the Sheffield Methodist District. She trained for the ministry at Wesley College, Bristol and has served in the Barnsley and Bramhall & Wythenshawe Circuits. She is currently the Chair of the Connexional Ministries Committee.
Prior to entering the ministry Gill was a banker, working entirely in the West Country, having been born originally in Cornwall.
She is married to Revd Leslie Newton who currently serves as the Chair of the Yorkshire North and East District. They have one daughter Laura who is currently studying Criminology and Sociology at Sheffield Hallam University.
Leslie Newton
Leslie is a Methodist Minister, currently serving as Chair of the Yorkshire North and East District. He has previously served in circuit ministry in Barnsley, Bramhall and York. He is co-chair of the Methodist Church’s ‘New Places for New People’ Guiding Team and a Trustee of Fresh Expressions.
Creating ‘Spaces for Grace’: The Heart of Methodism’s Mission
Paul Nzacahayo
Revd Dr Paul Nzacahayo is a Methodist presbyter serving in the Wolverhampton Circuit and tutor at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education. He is interested in Pastoral theology, and teaches Theology from the Majority World, Black Theology and Theological Reflection.
Walking with Micah along the road of institutional injustices!
Christine Odell
Christine Odell has been a Local Preacher for over 40 years. She studied Theology at LMH, Oxford University and has written and published a number of prayers, including Prayers of Intercession for the Companion to the Common and Revised Common Lectionary series. She is married to Peter Sheasby, who is serving as Superintendent minister in the Ryedale circuit in North Yorkshire. They are looking forward to his “sitting down” in 2024. They have one daughter, Anna, who is married and lives in Leeds.
Life in all its fullness – faith and chronic illness: part 2
Life in all its fullness – faith and chronic illness
Mo Onyett
Mo is a probationer presbyter in Leeds South and West Circuit, and Coordinator of the Solidarity Circle for Disability. She is a disabled person and parent carer. Mo brings many years experience of disability rights work, both as part of her career in higher education, and in volunteer roles.
Beginning to Think about Theology and Disability
Anne Ostrowicz
Anne’s degree is in Biblical Studies (Sheffield University) and she is a career RE teacher (Philosophy International Baccalaureate to sixth formers). Teaching at a very culturally and socially mixed boys’ school in central Birmingham, her main interests are Moral Philosophy and also What it Means to be Human. She has a keen interest in using novels and images in her teaching. She believes that the best of academic theology can and should be mediated to our teenagers and that we need more people to think creatively to produce the means to do this. She has a son and daughter in their twenties.
Theology’s Relevance to Today’s Teenagers
Wrestling for What is of Value
Forgiveness, and growing through our mistakes
Raj Bharat Patta
Rev. Dr. Raj Bharat Patta is a Recognised and Regarded Presbyter of the Methodist Church and currently serves Stockport Circuit of the Manchester and Stockport District. He completed his PhD from the University of Manchester and has researched on a Subaltern Public Theology for India. He is a minister from the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church in India and has previously served as the national general secretary of the Student Christian Movement of India and as an executive secretary of the National Council of Churches in India.
Christ the King’s Reverse Kingship: A Curtain-raiser to the Story of Christmas
Towards a Postcolonial Methodist Church in Britain
Andrew Pratt
Andrew Pratt researched the orgins of the Methodist Hymn Book (1933) for a PhD and the Hymns of Frederick Faber for a MA. He has lectured and led workshops in the USA, Poland, Finland, Germany and the UK. He is preparing a paper for the Hymn Society Conference 2020. Since retirement he has continued academic work as an Honorary Research Fellow at Luther King House in Manchester. He has published research in hymnody in the UK., USA, and Finland. He edits the Bulletin of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. He is a prolific hymn writer with circa 1500 texts to his credit. His latest hymn collection More than hymns – words for a lyrical faith was published in 2015. He co-edited Hymns for Hope and Healing (2017). He blogs at https://hymnsandbooks.blog/
Some thousands of years ago it was written
Claire Potter
Claire Potter is the Superintendent Minister of the Wey Valley Methodist Circuit.
She grew up in Surrey and studied at Swansea University before working for Methodist churches in Woking and then Smethwick. She trained for ministry in Cambridge and served in the Hull West and Wandle Valley Circuits. She then spent five years as the Development Manager of Epworth Old Rectory. Her PhD considered the experiences of Jamaican migrants to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, and she remains interested in people’s stories of migration, heritage and cultural diversity. She is a member of the World Methodist Council and is the Methodist Representative to the Church of England’s General Synod.
She is married to John and enjoys exploring the countryside, art, music and the company of friends.
Gareth Powell
Nicola Price-Tebbutt
Ben Pugh
Ben Pugh is lecturer in theology at Cliff College. He is passionate about the Bible and theology for one simple reason: he was brought up without it and spent his teenage years feeling dissatisfied by his comfortable life in 1980s Middle England. As an art student in 1988, he underwent a fairly dramatic conversion. An MA and a PhD later, he has now acquired a track record of teaching and writing across a broad range of subjects but has begun to specialise in his first love: the New Testament. He is the author of a number of books, many of which are aimed at a non-academic audience. He lives in Nottingham with his wife Pearl and three young children: Abi, Gracie and Reuben and is active in the ministry of the Eagles Nest Church, which is part of the Assemblies of God.
The Gospel in a Material World: How do we Preach Good News in the ‘Immanent Frame’?
‘The Lord Your God is the Only God’(Deut.6:4)
Thinking about a new method for doing practical theology
An Update on the ‘Atonement Project’
Introducing the ‘Atonement Project’: A Work in Progress
Jonathan Pye
Rev Dr Jonathan Pye is Chair of the Bristol District of the Methodist Church. He is a former Principal of Wesley College, Bristol and is Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Ethics in Medicine and Research Associate in Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol. He is also an Honorary Bishop of the Joongang Conference of the Korean Methodist Church. A theologian and philosopher, Jonathan has lectured widely in the UK and abroad and published a number of books and articles. He has a special interest in spirituality and medicine and, particularly, end of life issues.
Remembrance, Truth and Community
Martin Ramsden
Anthony Reddie
Making a Difference: Theological Reflection
Making a Difference: Situational Analysis
Neil Richardson
Towards a Re-Discovery of God in Critical Times
Putting the Church in its Place
‘Darkness Fell Over the Whole Land’ (Mark 15.33)
My Prayer List for Our (God’s) Church
Andrew Roberts
Andrew Roberts is a Methodist Presbyter presently serving as a discipleship specialist in the Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network. Previously he served as Director of Training with Fresh Expressions. He co-wrote the book fresh! an introduction to fresh expressions and pioneer ministry and more recently wrote Holy Habits. His first 15 minutes of fame came when he was the lead model in the very first Clergy on the Catwalk show after collaborating with Juliet Hemingray. He loves sport especially football and cricket and despite that supports Aston Villa.
Richard Saunders-Hindley
Richard Saunders-Hindley is Academic Director at Cliff College. He completed his PhD in Wesley and New Testament studies at Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, and he is a Junior Fellow of the Manchester Wesley Research Centre and a member of the Wesleyan Theological Society. He was previously Vice Chair of Methodist Evangelicals Together, and is currently Chair of the Inspire Movement, a growing international and ecumenical discipleship movement. Originally from the Wirral, he lives in Barnsley where he is married to Margaret and serves as a Local Preacher in the Barnsley Circuit.
‘Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?’ – Thoughts upon Unity
For the healing of the nations
Chris Roe
Chris is an assistant in L’Arche Preston, where he supports and lives in a Christian community with people with learning disabilities. He has lived in Preston for two and a half years now and blogs about his experiences at “Rolling on the Ocean” (cjroe2014.wordpress.com). Before coming to L’Arche, Chris lived on Anglesey and then studied history at the University of York. There, an inclusive and ecumenical chaplaincy and local church were formative. On his days off he can usually be found exploring historic buildings or watching obscure movies. He currently attends Central Methodist Church in Preston.
Josie Smith
Josie Smith is a Church Steward and Local Preacher. She is a onetime Primary teacher (12 years) and O.U. hons. graduate. She has been Circuit Steward, member of Conference, radio and TV broadcaster, Methodist Local Broadcasting Officer, member of several Connexional Boards, and one with the British Council of Churches as it was then. She has been a member of Connexional Candidates’ Committee, the Ministerial Further Training team, led short courses on communication for theological colleges, published poetry and hymns, and organised national gatherings for Churches Advisory Council for Local Broadcasting. She has lots of interests outside the church as well… and three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She has got to the age when one looks back and thinks ‘Did I do that?’
God in all things, including ageing
God of love, Creator of the food chain
Are you looking forward to Christmas?
What now? What is God’s will for my life?
Carrie Seaton
Andrew Stobart
Andrew is Head of Academic Strategy and Innovation at Cliff College. He lives with his wife Rebekah and their two children Charis and Micah on Rathlin Island, just off the coast of Northern Ireland, where they are following in the footsteps of Saint Comgall, who founded a monastic cell on the island in 580AD. Andrew studied theology at the London School of Theology and the University of Aberdeen, before training for Methodist presbyteral ministry at Wesley Study Centre, Durham. He has served in the Darlington Circuit, and as Director of Research at Wesley House, Cambridge, before his current appointment at Cliff. He is a Research Fellow in Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Tom Stuckey
Tom Stuckey is a former President of the Conference and was Chair of the Southampton Methodist District. He has ministered for 50 years in a variety of appointments and being involved in ministerial formation. He is the author of several books, is visiting scholar at Sarum College, Salisbury and continues to write, preach and teach. He does theology through his own web site (Google: Tom Stuckey – home). He is married to Christine who is the MWiB President for the Southampton District. They have three grown up children and four grandchildren.
Job: Theologian and Intercessor
Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land
Philip Sudworth
Philip is a local preacher in the Wigan circuit. Having retired from a career in the education service, he’s kept busy by voluntary work. In 2019, he was recognised as the local Volunteer of the Year. His series of articles, Pew by the Door, appeared in the Methodist Recorder over the 2004/2005 church year. He has had articles on faith published in eight countries.
Having grandchildren has given him renewed insights into awe and wonder, love and trust. The challenge of frequent questions reminds him that anyone who thinks he has all the answers hasn’t yet found half the questions.
Simon Sutcliffe
Simon is an ordained minister currently stationed in the Connexional Team as a Learning and Development Officer in the North West and Mann Region of the Learning Network. He has worked as an adult theological educator for over 15 years and is currently studying for a Dproff at the University of Chester researching appropriate epistemologies and pedagogies for lay adult theological education.
Simon loves everything outdoors! If he’s not working you will find him at his allotment, up a mountain, in a tent or out walking his two dogs, Ziggy and Jarvis, with his wife, Clare.
Sympoiēsis: or, finding people of peace
Salt in the world, not of the world
Kerry Tankard
The reconciliation of agape and eros in the desire of Nick Cave
The goodness of (profane) worship!
King Gizzard, AstroTurf, and John Wesley!
Bruce Thompson
Bruce Thompson is Chair of the Lincolnshire Methodist District and Chair of Methodist Friends of Judaism. He has served as a minister for the past 40 years and has been stationed in the inner city, suburban and county town/rural circuits. Bruce is passionate about social justice and is committed to raising awareness of the anti-Judaism with in the Christian Church that has blighted the relationship between Christians and Jews.
Humble Believer – being a disciple in an increasingly diverse world
Roberta Topham
Robert Topham is a Methodist presbyter in the Nidd Valley circuit in beautiful North Yorkshire. She has been there for eleven years, having previously been a circuit minster in Bradford and having also served the Methodist Church as a lay pastor on large housing estates in Leeds. While studying archaeology and anthropology as an undergraduate Roberta researched the Orange Order in Northern Ireland. She then undertook a Masters in Theology and Religious Studies. Her PhD is an anthropological study of power and gender in contemporary Methodism, or something like that. She’s currently trying to learn (spoken) Arabic and loves nothing more than hill walking in the Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland or the Yorkshire Dales with family.
Britain, Methodism and Cultural Identity
Karen Turner
Growing up in the States, Karen first moved to the UK in the 1990s to join an intentional ecumenical community. She stayed to study theology in Cambridge, where she met her husband, Philip. Since then, she’s worked in teaching and youth work before being called to work with university students in Bath two years ago. They have 2 boys who keep them on their toes – quite literally at Park Run each week – and as they try to pray together and offer hospitality as a family. Karen writes a blog for friends on the fringes of church at www.prayerstair.com.
Martin Turner
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A Circuit Minister for 36 years, Martin has led churches in Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and London. Alongside his circuit work he has offered various specialist chaplaincies and held various District offices and Connexionally served on the Strategy and Resources Committee, Methodist Council and been Conference Elected several times. He has chaired both Headway (now MET) and the Methodist City Centre Network. Until retirement last summer he was for 14 years Superintendent Minister at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster. Relaxing time is spent restoring antiques, fishing, gardening and sharing meals with friends.
Philip Turner
Philip is a Chaplain at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. He served in the Ipswich, North Hertfordshire and York Methodist Circuits and studied theology Cambridge, Sheffield and Durham, where he wrote his doctoral thesis on a practical theology of holiness. In his current role he offers pastoral support to patients, carers, volunteers and staff, and teaches spiritual care to nurses, doctors and therapists. He is married to Karen and they have two sons who persuade them to run and ponder the meaning of Rocket League. Philip co-leads www.startingpointbath.org.uk.
Small Talk and the Anarchy of Infinite Love
Methodist, but not the praying type
Roger Walton
Roger is the instigator of Theology Everywhere, beginning the site at the same time as he starts his role as President of the Methodist Conference 2016-17. He has studied theology at Birmingham and Durham, and is author of several books. For ten years Roger was the Director of the Open Learning Centre, and for eleven years the Director of the Wesley Study Centre in Durham. From 2010-2016 he was the Methodist representative to the General Synod of the Church of England, and he is currently the Chair of the West Yorkshire Methodist District . In the 1980s he worked on a Connexional project called ‘Theology for All,’ and Theology Everywhere is a natural successor to that project.
Ezra, Nehemiah and the Band-Room Methodists
I am no longer my own but yours…
Social Holiness and Social Justice
Caroline Wickens
I’m currently superintendent for the Manchester circuit, working with Methodists from around the world and enjoying their different perspectives. In thirty years as a presbyter, I’ve worked in circuit in the Black Country, worked with student ministers, been part of the Learning Network and served in Zambia and Kenya, teaching Biblical studies and learning so much from colleagues and students. I grew up in the country, and learnt about God in the greens of trees and fields. I’ve learnt to find God in city streets too, and am energised by the longing for justice for all God’s people.
Women of 2 Samuel: a counterpoint of lament
Naming (in)justice: climate change from Global South perspectives
Naming (in)justice: women’s voices from the global South
Naming (in)justice: an exploration of some conversations from the Global South
Stephen Wigley
Rev Dr Stephen is Chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church, where he has served for nearly 10 years. Before that he spent 18 years in circuits across Wales from Swansea to Ceredigion to Cardiff, including time as a University and Prison Chaplain as well as superintendent. He has an interest in systematic and historical theology and written books on Karl Barth and von Balthasar. Recently he has taken on chairing JACEI, the Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment. He is married to Canon Jenny Wigley, Rector of Radyr, and they have 2 grow up children.
John Donne – ‘No Man is an Island’
Steve Wild
Born in Rochdale, he was converted on a Cliff College Easter Mission. After finishing his apprenticeship as a printer, he became a Bluecoat at Pontin’s Holiday Camp Blackpool. Called to ministry at Taize he went to Cliff College. Then training at Wesley College Bristol. He served in Preston and St Ives. He was the Evangelism Enabler for the Cornwall District ran his own local television programme ‘Wild about Cornwall’. He then returned to Cliff as tutor and Director of Evangelism for Methodism. Returning to Cornwall as District Chair, in 2015 he became President of Conference. He is married to Laura an artist they three grown up daughters.
Yvonne Williams
TomWilson
Revd Dr Tom Wilson is Director of the St Philip’s Centre, an ecumenical Christian organisation based in Leicester that encourages people to learn how to live well together. He is the author of Hospitality, Service Proclamation: Interfaith Engagement as Christian Discipleship (SCM Press, 2019).
Completion and Condemnation in Matthew
Frances Young
Frances Young was Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham 1986-2005. She taught New Testament and Early Christian Studies there from 1971, and supervised the President’s MA. She was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1983, and still leads worship regularly in her circuit. She remains active in research and writing: Arthur’s Call (SPCK 2014), subtitled A Journey of Faith in the Face of Severe Learning Disability, reflects on the life of her disabled son. She also continues to respond to invitations to lecture, the most recent series being the Didsbury lectures at the Nazarene College in Manchester, now published as Construing the Cross (SPCK 2016).
Lukan Reflections on the Referendum
Michaela Youngson
The Revd Michaela Youngson is Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church. She has served as a presbyter in circuits in Lancashire and London, as well as having been Secretary of Pastoral Care and Spirituality in the Connexional Team. Michaela is an author and broadcaster and can often be heard offering a Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2 at 5.45am. In her rare time off, she can be found in her workshop playing with glass, which she fuses in a kiln – producing a range of craft and art objects from jewellery to wall panels.
Theology Everywhere 