Who's who

contacting the Synod Officers and Staff

Synod Office Team

Rev'd Clare Downing

Rev'd Clare Downing

Transitional Moderator

08000 903 903

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The Moderators role includes offering leadership to the Synod and its churches – in taking forward the synod’s Missional Discipleship strategy, the care of ministers, and the support of local churches as they discern God’s mission in their communities.

The Moderator also relates to other Christian denominations at regional level so that wherever possible co-operation and partnership can happen.

The Moderator also plays a part in the wider life of the URC.

Tim Hopley

Tim Hopley

Synod Clerk

07880 921 410

Roles and Responsibilities

Tim spent 30 years as a Solicitor Advocate, and Partner in a multi-discipline legal practice; his years of experience in managing a business, supervising staff and practising law throughout that time will greatly benefit us in his role as Synod Clerk.

The Clerk is responsible for the effective running of the Synod Office and ensuring good governance in the Synod Meeting and its committees.

For local Churches, the Clerk is the source of advice about good governance and compliance with the URC’s procedures, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission.

Kerry Later

Kerry Later

Office Manager & Mods PA

08000 903 903

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Kerry is our Office Manager & Moderators PA and has worked for the Synod in a variety of office roles since 2008.

Kerry plays a key role in working with the Synod Officers and staff in the effective operation of the Synod whilst also providing support to the Moderator and other Synods Officers. Her duties also include business support across the Synod Office, the maintenance of the database, newsletter, website and general emails.

Claire MacIntyre

Claire MacIntyre

Deputy Synod Clerk

 07553 743262

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Claire has worked as an office manager within the Synod for the past 2 years and will therefore bring her skills in providing support for the Synod Clerk. 

Claire will play a key role in working with the Synod Clerk in the effective running of the Synod Office and ensuring good governance in the Synod Meeting and its committees.

Mike Hart

Mike Hart

Transformation Director

07519 124 846

Roles and Responsibilities

Mike is the Synod’s Transformation Director, responsible for supporting the Synod and local churches to develop new and creative ways to provide good governance and use their resources to support their mission and ministry, particularly in working with local communities. A key part of his role is the leadership of our work to implement our strategy, “A Church with People at the Margins”.

Mike is an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher and has worked for the Synod for over six years, previously as the Synod Treasurer before taking up this new role.

 

Mission and Discipleship Team

Alistair Smeaton

Alistair Smeaton

Mission Mentor, Cumbria Area

07747 715 836

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Supporting local churches in the Cumbria Area with their ministry and mission.

Daleen ten Cate

Daleen ten Cate

Mission Mentor, Lancashire Area

07934 854 241

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Supporting local churches in the Lancashire Area with their ministry and mission.

Lawrence Heath-Moore

Lawrence Heath-Moore

Mission Mentor, Central Area

  07813 842 202

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Supporting local churches in the Central Area with their ministry and mission.

Liz Delafield

Liz Delafield

Mission Mentor, South Area

07740 112 628

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Supporting our local churches in South Area with their ministry and mission.

Learning and Development Team

Yvette Hansbury-Robinson

Yvette Hansbury-Robinson

Safeguarding Advisor

07827 390 299

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The Synod Safeguarding Advisor’s responsibilities include;

  • Delivering synod safeguarding training to ministers and safeguarding coordinators
  • Creating safer environments within the church, ensuring that key individuals have current DBS checks in place
  • Responding to safeguarding allegations and concerns
  • Ensuring that churches have the latest procedures and policies in place

Take me to Safeguarding

Leo Roberts

Leo Roberts

Children & Youth Development Officer

07812 339 550 
CYDO@nwsynod.org.uk

Roles and Responsibilities

The Children and Youth Development Officer (CYDO) for the North Western Synod is responsible for encouraging and enabling local churches to more effectively meet the needs of the children and young people in the community served by the church – whether in church groups or in the wider local community.

Take me to Children and Youth

Rob Hoch - Yidokodiltona

Rob Hoch - Yidokodiltona

Learning & Training Mentor

Roles and Responsibilities

The Learning and Development Officer’s  responsibilities include working on the URCs Education for Ministry programmes.

EM1: The Introductory Course for candidates accepted for training for URC ministry

EM2: The six modules for newly ordained ministers in their first three years

EM3: Self selected training opportunities for ministers and CRCWs, and three month Sabbaticals every 10 years. 

Take me to Learning & Development

Darren Holland

Darren Holland

Ecumenical Officer

07435 728 694

ecumenical@nwsynod.org.uk

Roles and Responsibilities

The Ecumenical Officer is responsible for the provision of support to the churches in their relationships with one another, and to facilitate the Synod’sforward looking relations with ecumenical partners, and to encourage and develop the principles andpractices of ecumenism throughout the Synod.

Finance Team

Peter Smith

Peter Smith

Finance Manager

08000 903 903

Roles and Responsibilities

Responsible for advising local churches about good practice in financial management and control and supporting the financial aspects of their mission development.

This may include advice and support for local churches on fundraising and grant applications as well as administering the investments held for local churches and the Synod

Peter is also responsible for the financial support which Synod provides for local churches and ministers, including the management of the Ministers’ Expenses Scheme, Synod Manse Scheme, and the shared funding provided through the Ministry & Mission Fund.

 

Kirsty Thomas

Kirsty Thomas

Synod Accountant

08000 903 903

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Kirsty is responsible for the Synod’s financial systems and processes, such as paying bills, managing our bank accounts etc. She also produces regular reports on the financial position during the year, and with the Treasurer produces the statutory accounts and annual report each year.

Kirsty works part time and can usually be contacted Monday to Wednesday each week.

Ryhana Mohammed

Ryhana Mohammed

Finance Clerk

08000 903 903
financeclerk@nwsynod.org.uk

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Finance Clerk manages the Purchase ledger function, Weekly BACS payments run, follows up any queries with Suppliers (mainly utility companies), reviews creditors’ control report and assists with any bank reconciliation items. She also undertakes any other duties required by the Finance officer.

Vacant

Vacant

Synod Treasurer

08000 903 903
treasurer@nwsynod.org.uk

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial strategy for the Synod, including the budget and the contribution to the central church to meet the costs of Ministry. The Treasurer also supports local churches in matters of good financial management and in the applications for grant funding to support and invest in mission.

The Treasurer is also one of the Trustees of the Synod Trust Company, and serves on the Executive and Resources Committees.

Trust, Legal, and Property Team

Christopher Whitehead

Christopher Whitehead

Chair of the Trust

 0161 769 1122

Roles and Responsibilities

As Convener of Synod Resources Committee and Chair of Trust it is Christophers role to ensure that matters relating to property and finance are managed effectively and appropriately; and as Chair of the Trust Company to ensure it acts as Custodian Trustees for property and investments on behalf of the Synod and of the local churches.

Tracey Booth

Tracey Booth

Trust & Resources

07502 773 943

Roles and Responsibilities

Advises the Synod Resources Committee and churches of the various legal aspects of our life together – particularly over the sale and rent of property ensuring we work within the provisions of the URC Acts and charity law.

Tracey has also been helping the Synod organise Church Records and become a paperless office.

Karl Kiernan

Karl Kiernan

Property Officer

North Western Synod Office
Unit 20 Sandpiper Court 
Waters Edge Business Park
Modwen Road
Salford
M5 3EZ

Click the image to downoad a printable PDF of the map, address, and travel information to the Synod Office

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