WHO'S WHO?
Staff, Leadership and Teaching Teams
Our previous Rector, Rev'd Mark Pickett, retired on 2nd February 2025, and we are now in vacancy. However, we have a strong leadership team and staff team.
Graham Haldane
Church Warden
"My wife, Ruth, and I moved to Clitheroe in 2011, and love the local area. We have three sons (one late) and three granddaughters, and are befrienders for Care for the Family Bereaved Parent Support. Most of my professional career was as a health librarian, and I like the 3Rs: reading, writing and running. I spent the last 5 years managing and developing the CAP Centre in Clitheroe, on the church staff team. I'm also loving my relatively new role on the Leadership Team coordinating our church's approach to social justice and creation care issues."
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Andrew Stevens
Church Warden
Rev'd Sam Cheesman
Associate Minister
Sam is currently serving as Chaplain to the Bishop of Blackburn. He and his family worship at St James, and Sam is becoming our Associate Minister.
Helen Potts
Children and Families Minister
"Once upon a time I used to be a primary school teacher, but now I am privileged to be the Children’s and Families’ minister here at St. James’. Its my dream job! I love sharing God’s love and wonderful truths with children and families. I love supporting and encouraging families as they do faith together.
I also love being in God’s amazing creation, whether walking, resting or worshipping. I love baking and eating cake and most of all I love playing with my granddaughters."
Lucy Skelton
Youth Minister
"I've been working with young people since I was one myself (for about 20 years!) starting off as a young leader, then I took a gap year with a Christian Schoolswork Trust, I went on to study a BA in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology where I worked for an Anglican church as their youth worker. Then for 11 and half years I led a team serving both primary and secondary schools on the south coast of England. I now find myself here at St James' serving the wonderful young people of Clitheroe. I love music (I'm a drummer), performing arts, running and cake (a good combination and best when served together). I am keen to see young people explore what Jesus has to offer them and journey with them as they find faith in Jesus for themselves."
Naomi Lynas
Operations Manager
"I was brought up in Somerset, but have spent most of my adult years up North - first in Manchester, then moving to Clitheroe in 2014. I'm married to Tim, and we have two sons. They keep us busy, but I can usually find time for a cup of tea and a good book. After 14 years as a teacher, I started working for St James in 2018. I am passionate about discipleship, the Bible and serving the community of St James."
Matt Wood
CAP Centre Manager
Originally from London, I have gradually moved further north over the last 30+ years back to my ancestral roots of Lancashire. I have two young children, and my wife Ellie is part of the worship team at St James’. In my spare time during the summer months, I like to go on long bike rides through the amazing scenery of the Ribble Valley and beyond. I am passionate about social justice and trying to bring the freedom of the Gospel to places in our community that are marginalised, isolated and experiencing poverty. Being able to get alongside people through the work of CAP and support with debt and associated issues is a huge blessing. There are many parts of scripture that resonate with the ministry of CAP, one piece that is prevalent currently is:
'Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.'
Romans 12:15
Peter Williams
Pastoral Lead
"Retired primary school headteacher, married to Anne, father of three adults and grandfather to two, I have been involved in the life of St James's church for most of my adult life. It's been great to see the church grow and change as we've followed God's call to ministering in the area over several decades, and I'm excited to see, and be involved with, that as we move into the future. I am still involved in the world of education as a school governor in three schools, I currently support Ruth Haldane as one of her assistant wardens of licensed lay ministers, and have a heart for seeing pastoral work grow as part of building The Kingdom here in Clitheroe."
Ruth Haldane
Discipleship Lead
"I have a passion for enabling people to grow in faith and reach their godly potential, and for living authentic everyday faith on the frontline. I am a wife, mum and grandma - all of which bring me joy. Lay ministry is also my passion, and I am Warden of Lay Ministry for Blackburn Diocese as well as working nationally as a Lay Ministry Consultant and being involved with various national lay ministry initiatives. "
Jonathan Berry
Worship Lead
Nick Shelley
Safeguarding Lead
"I married Rachel in 2022, and we live in Wilpshire with three children. I have been a part of St James’ Church for 10 years, taking on the Parish Safeguarding Officer role in November 2022. In my day job I work as a Clinical Psychologist, specialising in work with children who are in foster care, residential care or adopted."
Nick is the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern.
You can get in touch with Nick by email below or on 07547374386.