Revd Barry Owen - Superintendent Minister

I’m a presbyter with pastoral charge of Normanton and Streethouse Methodist Churches.

I am married to Jacqueline, who is a Minister in the Leeds South & West Circuit.

We have three grown up children, two daughters and one son, and then there are our three fantastic grandchildren, who continue to grow up very fast.  

Before offering for the Ministry I was an Electrical Engineer in the construction industry, the last 25 years of which was MD of my own Electrical Commissioning Company working on industrial and commercial projects, which I fully withdrew from before stationing. I am glad to say the company continues to thrive with its new management.

REVD Andrew Atkins

Hello, my name is Andrew and my current role in the circuit includes pastoral charge of Lindale, Pontefract, Ropewalk, Trinity Netherton and Wrenthorpe Methodist Churches.  I am also chaplain at Wakefield Methodist Infant and Junior School and on the chaplaincy team at Wakefield Hospice.

I am married to Vicky, who is Superintendent minister of the Calderdale Circuit.  We have four children, all now grown up, and one grandchild.
Amongst many other interests, I am a keen amateur photographer, I love music, (especially live gigs), reading and walking .

Revd Julian Pursehouse

Hello, my name is Julian, and my current role is a presbyter with pastoral charge of Sandal, Crigglestone, Walton and Newmillerdam Creative Arts Project. I am also a qualified supervisor in the British Methodist Church and I chair the Editorial Board of the Holiness Journal connected to Wesley House Cambridge.

I am married to Jean, who is a qualified nurse in the NHS, and we have two grown up children, Chloe and Tyler. In my spare time, I love listening to music (particularly live gigs), reading theology, and I am also a keen road cyclist!

 Revd Chris Holmes

Hello, my name is Christopher Holmes, but please call me Chris. I am a probationer presbyter with pastoral charge of Featherstone, Ackworth, Upton and Trinity (South Elmsall) Methodist Churches. 

I am married to Heather and have two grown-up daughters, with our first grandchild on the way. I love listening to music, walking, and singing whilst strumming my guitar. I speak Spanish and would love to meet anyone in the area with roots or connections with Spain or Latin America.

Revd Jacob Kaiga

My name is  Jacob Kaiga I am a Circuit Minister in charge of Horbury, Lofthouse, Parkside and Rothwell Methodist Churches.

I am married with three children and was trained in Kenya where I attained a Diploma in Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree.   I was stationed to the circuit in 1987 and was ordained in 1989.

After working there for eight years I came to the UK in 1995 for further studies. Whilst doing my studies I was given a job as a Circuit Minister. This was a big surprise because I never thought  about working in England. Since then I have worked in the UK but still doing some charity works back in Kenya. For me England is my home from home.

Revd Naomi Kaiga

I serve part time in the circuit looking after Airedale, Altofts, Kippax, Methley and Trinity Castleford Methodist Churches.I was born and brought up in Kenya.  I trained as a Presbyter in the Methodist Church in Kenya and later transferred to serve the Methodist Church in Britain in 2001. I did my initial training in Kenya and later did my second Degree in Sheffield University.

I have a passion for prayer and meditation and declaring the unfailing love of God to all peoples. 

I am married with 3 grown up children.

Revd Kim Williams

Born and bred in Sheffield. Prior to the ministry I was a nurse working in palliative care.

I am married to Steve and we have 5 sons, 4 grandchildren and 2 dogs. I  have pastoral charge of The King's Way Church Ossett, Trinity Wakefield and West Wakefield.

My passions are chocolate, mugs (not cups) of coffee, shopping and God – not necessarily in that order, and, having spent the last 5 years in Cornwall I am an expert on the correct way to serve cream teas!

Heather Turner - Circuit Administrator

I have been in post since October 2016 and my role is to assist the Superintendent Minister with the administration of our circuit and this includes collecting information from circuit staff, local preachers, circuit officials and church officials to enable the timely production of e-News and the plan.

I was brought up in Horbury, near Wakefield and have always been connected to Horbury Methodist Church, where I am the Safeguarding Liaison Officer and Church Council Secretary. I am also the editor of the Horbury Churches Together newsletter.

After college I worked in childcare, firstly as a nanny in various locations, then as a deputy nursery manager and lastly as an OFSTED registered childminder, for 21 years.

I am married to Stuart and we have 3 children. Our eldest child, Alex, is a science teacher and head of Science at a school in London. Our second son Will, works in the Police Service and our daughter Charlotte is in Year 11.

During days off and weekends we enjoy family time together, reading, crafts and card-making and growing vegetables to name just a few pastimes.  I also like to knit/sew and do puzzles and jigsaws. Attending church coffee mornings is also a specialty of ours especially if there is a tombola stall!

Lyndsey Evans - Children & Families Worker

I started working as a Children & Families worker within the circuit in April 2021.  Prior to this I had run many youth activities and groups both in my own church and across the circuit as a volunteer.  I work with a number of schools leading collective worship as well as reflection prayer activities and groups focusing on identity and mental health. 

I am a member of the district core team directing and running an exciting initiative called Wesley Lifepath working with Year 4 children bringing them in to church to learn about the founder of Methodism - John Wesley, the full day visit incorporates many aspects of the Year 4 national curriculum. 

I work with churches within the circuit supporting both new and existing initiatives including Messy Church and uniformed organisations as well as running circuit youth events including weekends away.

Prior to working for the circuit I worked in Banking for 18 years in a number of different roles and I was definitely ready for a change and a new challenge. 

I live in Knottingley and I attended Ferrybridge Methodist Church with my Grandparents until I was 11 when I moved and joined the Sunday School at Ropewalk where I was received in to membership aged 14.  With the exception of my 3 years spent at University in Plymouth I have attended Ropewalk ever since.  For a number of years I have been a Sunday School Leader and have been Captain of both Boys and Girls Brigade which has now become Ropewalk Brigade. 

In my spare time I like to socialise with my family and friends and spend a lot of time with my young nieces and nephews as well as shopping with my Mum

 Paula Ridley- Mission Activities Coordinator

I began work within the Circuit in March 2019 and currently work alongside the minister in pastoral charge of Pontefract Methodist Church.  My role is to be a visible Christian presence in the communities in and around the church buildings, developing and encouraging involvement in a variety of mission activities with people in those communities.

I am a member of Upton Methodist Church and Anchors’ Section Leader within 1^st Ackworth Boys’ Brigade based at Ackworth Methodist Church.

Mr Tom Ferguson - Senior Circuit Steward

Mr Michael Roberts - Finance

My responsibilities are to keep the accounts of the Circuit, receive all the income, pay all the bills, reimburse all expenses, ensure that payroll records for our lay employees are maintained and liaise with local authorities over the payment of council tax and water rates on the manses. At each year end I prepare and present financial statements for the approval of the Circuit Assembly.  

I prepare the annual budget, calculate the assessment on each church and ensure adequate funds are available to meet all regular commitments of the Circuit. I also receive and forward all church donations made to outside organisations.

I am a former Senior Circuit Steward of the Circuit and a Circuit Steward of the former Wakefield Circuit

I attend Wrenthorpe Methodist Church where I am a Steward, Church Treasurer, and Editor of the church magazine. I am a former member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

I have 5 grandchildren who keep me busy. I enjoy reading, travel and watching (armchair) most sports, especially cricket and rugby league.

Brian O' Shaughnessy  - Circuit Meeting Secretary

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Mrs Judith Kershaw - Human resources -lay appointments

I am the circuit steward with responsibility for Lay Employees, including our Administrator, Children & Family Workers and any other staff employed within the circuit, including cleaners and caretakers.

I grew up in Ferrybridge and attended Central Methodist Church in Pontefract, where I was Christened at the first Baptism service held there after it opened in 1952. (I leave you to do the Maths!) My Mum still blames my late arrival for her missing the opening celebrations!

Apart from 3 years at College in Lancaster, I have always lived and worked in the Wakefield area. Before retiring in the summer of 2015, I spent 41 years as a Primary School Teacher. When I first moved to Wakefield I went to Eastmoor Chapel, which is sadly now a used car lot as the congregation have moved to new premises at Trinity, just around the corner. In 1976 I bought a house in Sandal and joined the congregation at Sandal Methodist Church. There I have been JMA secretary as well as still being a member of the Choir and, prior to becoming a Circuit Steward, I served a 6-year term as Church Steward.

David and I were married at Sandal in 1980 and still live in the area. He is a keen photographer and we enjoy getting out and about looking for photo opportunities – often in more rugged areas such as Spurn Point or Ravenscar Beach. With my Mum, we also like to explore garden centres – preferably those with a good coffee shop!

Mr Ian Pattison - property

 I am the circuit steward responsible for Property. Since June 2012, when we moved to Ossett, my wife Christine and I worship at The King's Way Church where we are both Worship Stewards. Prior to our move I worshipped at Woodside Methodist Church, Horsforth which is now part of the Leeds South and West Circuit where I held various positions at Church and Circuit level.

I am a member of the District Candidates Committee and the District Manses Committee. I have also been a member of the District Consent Panel and secretary of the former District Lay Employment Committee.

I am a retired solicitor and have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.

Mr David Lane - Mission, Evangelism & Outreach

I am the circuit steward responsible for Mission, Evangelism & Outreach.I was brought up in a Methodist family, both my parents having been missionary doctors in China. I have been a member of the Church for about sixty years, and was a local preacher in the 1960s and 1970s. I now attend Sandal, where I have lived for over thirty years. My career was mainly in child care and social services, but I retired last year. I was elected in September 2018 and look forward to getting to know the Circuit.

Mr Barry Johnson - Circuit Steward