about me

For the past thirty years I have been a member of the British Methodist Church, training and then working as an ordained minister (presbyter). I'm originally from across the Irish Sea and still retain close links with the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Corrymeela Community. I am currently 'Without Appointment' and spending a lot of my time as a student.

At heart, I'm an activist, and much of what you see here reflects my passion for justice, equality, honesty and reconciliation. I believe my faith demands that I get involved in transforming the world into what it is meant to be - a home where all are welcome and given their full dignity.

NB: ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE ENTIRELY MY OWN AND DO NOT REPRESENT THOSE OF EMPLOYERS, PAST OR PRESENT.

Work & Project History

Pastoral Ministry

As an ordained presbyter (priest or pastor), my central vocation remains the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Oversight. I entered Circuit in 1999, and have been stationed in Circuits in rural south Lincolnshire and urban Leicester. Since 2004, I whilst working in appointments outside the Church, I have tried to offer voluntary ministerial support to the Circuits where I've lived.

Preaching and leading worship continueThe focus of my pastoral work has always been the development of vocations, both in individuals and communities.
worship and preaching, and building inclusive and outward-looking Christian communities, coupled with a strong commitment to Christian education.To that end, I have also served as District Sabbaticals Officer, Youth Officer, and as part of the Reconciliation Team.

Education & Research

I have made a significant contribution to chaplaincy work in the Higher Education sector over a period of nearly fifteen years, including as Coordinating Chaplain at two universities in London. This involved building and leading two multi-faith teams and re-establishing services where they had ceased or been reduced.

Teaching has also been a major part of my career and I have undertaken a significant amount of teaching for courses validated by the Universities of Cambridge, London, Leicester and Durham. This has included the development of a diverse number of modules, e.g. Death & Dying in Leicester, an undergraduate module for Leicester Medical School; Worship & Liturgy in Jewish-Christian Relations, an MA course for the Woolf Institute, Cambridge, and; Religion & Conflict in Global Perspective, an MA module for the Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham and Durham and Newman Universities.

After four years as a Lecturer (Grade 7) at City, University of London (2008-12), I took on a leadership role as Director of the Global Christianity Programme at the Queen’s Foundation. This has involved creating a new Programme and recruiting staff, designing MA modules (and a period as MA Programme Leader) and developing a parallel programme of intercultural learning, contextual theological reflection and support for those engaging in British Higher Education from the Global South. It has also involved a substantial engagement with Heads of Partner Churches and external funding and scholarship bodies. As President of the Methodist-related Theological Schools in Europe (MTSE), I have worked with a Europe-wide Coordinating Group to build the association, including organising two international gatherings: an academic & student Conference on reconciliation and a Seminar on the Church in Europe.

Reconciliation

Experience has come through involvement in two distinct but related programmes: the Olive Tree Scholarship Programme and the Corrymeela Community. As advisor for five years with the Olive Tree (working with young Israelis and Palestinians in a dialogue programme based in London), I was involved in hands-on facilitation work, as well as recruitment, advocacy and donor-relationships. This experience led to a relationship with the Corrymeela Community where I am now a member and involved in some of the programmes the Community sponsors. Currently I am part of a team writing liturgical resources reflecting on conflict.

On a wider scale, I have been involved with the reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka which have included advising the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka and running training programmes under NCCSL auspices. I am also currently a Visiting Lecturer at the Theological College of Lanka, the ecumenical seminary in Kandy, teaching Peace and Reconciliation Studies.

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