All kinds of people are involved in the life of St James’s
Here are some useful names of those who might be able to help you.
The Reverend Diana Johnson
Priest-in-Charge
Diana is London-born and was brought up in Clerkenwell and Finchley, from which a place at Sandhurst beckoned. During 21 years of enjoyable military service some high points were active service, intelligence work in Berlin and teaching officer cadets at Sandhurst, before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Three years at Ridley Hall, Cambridge brought a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology to complement another in International Relations. She held a variety of teaching posts at a school in Cambridge, including as an honorary lay chaplain, for nearly 20 years.
Since being ordained priest, Diana has served the people of St Andrew’s in Girton, St Mary and St Michael’s in Trumpington, and St Peter’s in Horningsea. She arrived in St James’s, Riding Mill in July 2021. Diana has three grown-up daughters and is proud of four grandchildren, too. She enjoys hill-walking, photography and is seldom happier than when walking in the wild places of God’s creation.
Click here for an article about Rev’d Diana Johnson (opens in a new tab)
David McKenzie MBE
Church Warden
Following thirty years’ experience of teaching Modern Languages in the secondary sector, including working as Managing Director of his own travel company, David entered the world of professional fundraising as Partnership Development Officer for the national organisation Fairbridge, now amalgamated with the Prince’s Trust. David went on to found LookwideUK, which worked with challenging children and young people delivering a development programme based on the ethos and principles of the Scout Association. As CEO, David led a team of fifteen development workers operating out of two centres in Newcastle and Blyth. Celebrating 50 years of adult service to Northumberland Scout Council, David is currently Chair of Riding Mill Scout Group. David has served on Broomhaugh and Riding Parish Council since 2015. A former chair of school governors, he has served on a number of Trustee Boards, including Daybreak (now Journey) which supports adults with learning difficulties, was until recently Chair of Trustees for Walking With in North Tyneside, a charity which supports asylum seekers and refugees, and is currently a trustee of Riding Mill Village Hall trust. Elected recently as Lay Chair of Corbridge Deanery, David works with the area Dean and his team to promote the interests of all churches in Corbridge Deanery. David was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in 2015 for services to young people in the north-east.
Organist & Choirmaster – vacant from January 2013
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