Meet the Team

Superintendent: Rev. Dr Jo Cox-Darling

Jo’s ministry has been a diverse experience of urban, suburban, and rural contexts both in the UK and further afield. She has served in Rotherham, London, and Wolverhampton – with posts that have included farms, feasts, festivals, and many, many, funerals. She is passionately inclusive, progressively evangelical, justice-hearted, and keen to build connections with community and civic powerholders. Jo’s doctorate is in pioneering styles of leadership, underpinning a lifelong love, interest, and teaching in practical theology, missiology, and leadership. Basically – how do we notice what God is doing, get involved, and ensuring sustainability (and its safety) for all. She is Chair of the Mission Committee, which includes being a member of the Connexional Council and Conference.

Jo is married to Jayson, an Australian, currently working as a secondary school SENDCO in Altrincham. They have two children, Sophia and Karis. Jo describes her family as “beautifully neurodivergent, and we are pleased to bring our creative chaos into the mix of this bee-utiful city!”

Rev. Sharon Read

Sharon has been a Methodist Minister since 2003 working in Liverpool, Wigan, Bury and now in Manchester. Sharon is married to Mike, an Anglican Vicar in Heywood, and they have 2 school-aged children. She loves finding creative ways to engage people with Jesus every day. 

 

Rev. Christopher Cheeseman

Rev. Christopher Cheeseman Supernumerary Presbyter has been a Methodist Minister since 1979, serving pastorates in West Devon, Burnley, Clitheroe, South Fylde, and three spells in other fields as Deputy Chair of Lancashire, Running Housing for Young People for homeless 16-25 year olds, Spiritual Care Lead at Pendleside Hospice. Before ministry Chris worked in the Youth and Community field  in Cheshire and London.

Rev. Catharine Hughes 

Rev. Paul Welch

Paul is originally from Stoke on Trent but has lived in Yorkshire since the mid 90’s before moving to Manchester. He loves playing and watching football and supports Port Vale and Leeds United. Paul is married and has two grown-up daughters, all who were born in Yorkshire. Paul has 2 roles in this current appointment, one being a circuit minister and the other as a Pioneer Minister working with the Caleb Community, coaching and mentoring people who are setting up new ways of being church. Paul has a wealth of experience working outside the walls of the traditional church through reflective walks (Walking The WAY), Photography, Sport and running a bus project. He has a passion for enabling people to come and see Jesus for themselves where they are.

Deacon Jenny Jones

There has been a long history of deacons at Methodist Central Hall, Manchester, and Jenny is the latest. Her passion is for walking alongside the marginalised and listening to their stories. She hopes that in a small way she might open up ways for all people to feel included in whichever setting they find themselves. In previous appointments in Leeds and Nottingham city centres, Jenny has worked alongside the homeless, the council in relation to financial inclusion, sat on the Leeds Responsible Gambling Forum, listened and partied with the LGBT+ community, and ministered in a deprived inner city community, to name just a few.

Coming to Manchester in September 2023, Jenny is involved with a number of different projects both at Central Hall MCR, and also out in the community. She leads on the Befrienders’ project, which includes the ‘Reboot’ and ‘Monday’s Undies’ initiatives, and also supports LifeShare who provide breakfasts for those in need. Jenny has been instrumental in Central Hall MCR attaining our ‘Church of Sanctuary’ accreditation, and works closely with organisations supporting refugees in the City Centre.

Her background is in finance having worked in the City of London and for a charity which created links between education and business. Whilst she was employed to do the finance, she was quickly roped into running projects and enterprise activities which aimed to give young people opportunities to explore who they are and dream of what they might do in the future.

Jenny has three adult children, two step-children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies include gardening, cleaning (yes, really), reading, walking in green spaces, binge-watching box-sets (and family, of course).

Paula Collins

Paula is the Lay Pastoral Assistant for 3 churches in North Manchester. She works with the Minister and Pastoral Secretaries to maintain a link with the church for those who cannot attend services regularly, or are in hospital or are in need of the support of their church family. She is the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and Trainer.

Liz Stuart

Liz has been a Layworker in the Manchester Circuit for nearly 9 years, as a Church Community Development Worker. This is a varied and interesting role, working with all ages in both supporting and developing church activities, and seeking to provide opportunities for the local community to connect with the church.

Miriam Moules, Circuit Administrator

Miriam is a cradle Christian, but became a Methodist thanks to Methsoc at university. She has been a local preacher for 18 years, a tutor for 8 years, and is circuit administrator for 2 circuits – South West Wales and Manchester, which is a bit of a contrast. Away from church, she enjoys swimming and yoga, spending time with her housemates, and her beloved 19 year old cat, Mr Smith. 

Rachel Humphreys, Community Engagement Officer

Rachel began her role as Community Engagement Officer for the Circuit in November 2019. She is proud mother of two beautiful boys and has a degree in Psychology. Rachel’s role involves looking after the Circuit’s digital media platforms and working in conjunction with the Circuit Leadership and local church leaders to create and implement clear communication strategies; developing and maintaining an awareness of key issues across Manchester relating to the circuit’s mission priorities and building relationships with local groups sharing our priorities.

Sam Fentem

Sam joined the team in November 2024 as the property manager responsible for Trinity and Whalley Range Methodist Church. He has over 20 year’s experience in property management in both public and private housing. Before joining the team he was a full time Pastor in Old Trafford so he understands the unique requirements of managing a church building. He is very creative, enjoying writing fiction, study books, poetry and music.

Kimberley Osivwemu, Youth & Families 

Having been a member of several different Methodist churches in the Manchester area and experienced professional practice in very different settings over the past four decades; call to serve has brought opportunity to grow and develop Safeguarding practice, particularly in Whalley Range and Fallowfield.

At a time in life that has brought survival of the covid pandemic and blessings in family increase, care and compassion for the development of church family is now a clear focus.

Church and its translation in the world has been a part of life since childhood in the Midlands of England. Prayer and devotions as an essential aspect of daily life have featured as a secure base.

The blessing of being able to actively engage in church in Manchester locations is one which is to taken wholeheartedly.

Thanks be to God. Kimberley

Julie Rowbotham, Community Worker @ Hope Methodist Church 

Julie is a steward at Hope Methodist Church in Failsworth and has been a member of the Methodist church since she was 16. Julie joined because she wanted to be part of the decision making at her local church. Julie was previously a Reception class teaching assistant but has recently become Hope’s Community Worker. Julie is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives without making any judgement as she knows sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Julie married to Derek (who has a lot to put up with!) and has two grown up daughters.

Julie’s role as Hope’s Community Worker is to assess the needs of the local community, especially after Covid-19, and determine how the church can best meet those needs. Hope recently had an exciting building redevelopment leaving us with a really useable modern building which we are keen to use to benefit those who need the most support.