Meet the team
Yorkshire's finest!Synod Office Team
Jamie
Moderator
Revd Jamie Kissack is our Moderator here in the Yorkshire Synod, leading a busy and varied life, caring pastorally for all our URC ministers (both serving and retired), and serving on various local, regional and national committees, for the URC and ecumenically.
Tim
Synod Clerk
Tim Crossley is our full-time Synod Clerk. Got a question? Tim’s your man! Tim manages the day-to-day running of the synod office, as well as organising synod meetings and agendas. When not playing cricket or listening to vinyls, he can be found at the synod office most weekdays.
Simon
Synod Treasurer
Revd Simon Copley is a minister serving in the Sheffield team, but he also serves as Synod Treasurer. As Treasurer, Simon prepares the accounts and budgets (with the support of the Finance team) for meetings and has oversight of the finances of the synod. Simon is not based at the synod office so can be contacted by the details above.
Alastair
Trust Secretary
Alastair Forsyth is the first point of contact on trusteeship or legal matters sand is also the person to speak to in connection with leases, licences, hiring agreements and associated matters relating to your church property. Alastair works part-time, 3 days a week, usually Tuesday to Thursday, and can be contacted here at the synod office.
Jane
Property Officer
Jane Bunyan is the first point of contact for any inquiries relating to the care, use, and development of your buildings. This includes dealing with applications to the Synod Property Committee. Jane can be contacted at the Synod Office Monday – Thursday.
Hayley
Finance Manager
Hayley Brook is responsible for all accounting and Finance for the Synod, including making payments. Hayley normally works 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday at the synod office.
Anne
Investments Administrator / Secretary
Anne Ward has served the Synod for over 40 years!! In addition to being a Secretary she is the Investments Administrator for the Synod. Anne normally works 7.15am to 4.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday at the synod office.
Sally
Moderator's PA & Secretary
Sally Duxbury works as the Moderator’s Personal Assistant and also as Secretary for the general needs of the Office. Sally normally works 7.45am to 3pm Monday to Thursday mainly at the synod office.
Rachel
Finance and Clerical Officer
Rachel Crawshaw is our Finance and Clerical Officer, working alongside Hayley, but also helping out other members of the Team as needed. Rachel normally works 8.15am to 3.00pm Monday to Thursday.
Mission and Development Team
Matt
Lead Safeguarding Officer
07761 525592
Matt Knowles, our Lead Safeguarding Officer, works a 3 day week, flexibly across Yorkshire and Northern Synods. If any church has concerns relating to safeguarding issues, please contact Matt, he doesn’t bite!
Carrie
Safeguarding Officer
07432 886158
Carrie Kaunda is our Safeguarding Officer working as part of the safeguarding team here in Yorkshire. Carrie works part time and can be contacted with any safeguarding concerns or issues in our Synod.
Paula
Safeguarding Support Officer
07562 606024
Paula Kitson is our Safeguarding Support Officer who works with our safeguarding team. Paula works part time across the Yorkshire and Northern Synods and oversees foundation training and DBS issues amongst lots of other things! As part of the safeguarding team Paula can be contacted if you need help or guidance on all matters, not just training or DBSs.
Ash
Synod Evangelist
07403 423082
Ashley Evans is keen to enable churches and individuals to grow and to be confident about sharing our love for Jesus and Jesus’ love for all people.
Would you like to be more missional in your community, but don’t know where to start? Get in touch!
One of Ash’s key areas of work is through Leading Your Church Into Growth, find out more here.
Megan
Children and Young People's Development Practitioner
07522 220213
Megan Tillbrook is responsible for helping to develop children and youth work and organise training and retreat days for workers and volunteers as well as residential and day events for youth, children and families. Due to the nature of this work, she has no fixed office hours but you can contact her above.