Having lived in Essex, Yorkshire and Birmingham, I went on to serve the churches in Cobham and Effingham for 12 years, enjoying roles within the Synod on the Pastoral Committee, Synod Council and Spring Ministers Planning Group as well as others. I am delighted to be serving the Northern Synod as Moderator. I love to spend time with my ever growing family of 5 adult children, their respective partners and 6 grandchildren.
I make myself available to you, please contact me if I can help in any way.
I have overall responsibility for the correct accounting, budgeting, financial management and planning of the Synod/Trust finances.
In the past I have been a local Church treasurer, a Parent Teachers Association treasurer, a treasurer of a local charity that helped refugees & asylum seekers and I have been a member of the national URC finance committee. As such I feel I have the necessary skills to bring to the role.
If you feel I can assist you by answering a query related to your local Church’s financial arrangements, then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Currently serve in the South East Northumberland Ecumenical Area where I moved from Scotland in November 2021. Prior to that I served for 5 years in Fife and Tayside Pastorate and previously in Annan (both for 5 years). My background is as Finance Director in a UK manufacturing company. In my spare time I enjoy caravanning; spending time with my model railway and being with my 7 grandchildren.
Trevor Jamison is the Minister at Saint Columba’s URC, North Shields. Originally from Belfast, Trevor has been a URC minister since 1995, serving pastorates in Liverpool and Essex, and as Environmental Chaplain for Eco Congregation Scotland. He also worked in a training role with Northern Synod from 2001 to 2006.
Andrew has a legal background and has worked as Trust Officer for the Synod since 1995.
He provides administrative support for the work of the Synod and its trust company, and as part of the Admin team tries to help with a wide range of enquiries.
Helen is the Finance Officer and has worked part time for the Synod since 2008.
Responsibilities include preparing the Trust company accounts, maintaining financial systems and controls, budgeting, and financial management of the Trust finances.
Lisa has a background in Human Resources and is the Operations Co-ordinator for the Synod. She oversees the Administration Team and also co-ordinates the provision of a wide variety of administrative support for the officers and committees of the Synod, the Synod charitable trust and the local churches.
Andy Lie started with Northern Synod on 1 June 2011 and is our half-time Ecumenical & Inter-Faith Officer. His role is concerned with promoting Christian Unity (involving especially local ecumenical partnerships and churches together groups) and engaging in inter-religious issues and relations throughout the region, and hence the over-arching set of twin-themes of embassy and hospitality, presence and engagement. Andy is an Anglican Reader (ie. lay preacher) in Newcastle Diocese for more than 26 years and he’s passionate about long-distance running, with his current tally of 31 marathons!
Having developed, researched and presented many ranges of children’s work including ‘Core Skills’, Godly Play, Messy Church, toddler groups and holiday clubs, I remain passionate about developing links between Churches and their local community, which has led to many school assembly networks being formed, uniformed organisations and other mid-week children’s groups being welcomed to All Age services. As a URC Assembly Accredited Lay preacher, I embrace All-Age intergenerational worship and the joy of spirituality that can be gained within. I work alongside the Synod Youth Advisor to continue to serve the needs of this synod with existing and new initiatives.
I am passionate about connecting with young people with the good news of Jesus. My role working with the Children’s Work Advisor is to support churches in connecting with children, young people and families. This includes developing new projects as well as supporting existing work
I joined Synod as Learning & Development Officer, initially part time, in August 2022 and have been full time in the role since January 2023. With a background in volunteer management and training, I enjoy getting to know people and supporting and encouraging them to explore their full potential, whether through formal learning or more creative opportunities! As well as the Learning & Development Officer role, I am a URC Elder (currently non-serving), regularly lead worship in churches across the Synod and am also a member of the St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island management group.
Provides specialist guidance and advice on all safeguarding matters involving both children and adults, as well as an accredited safeguarding trainer providing training to all members of the URC.
