Who’s Who?

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
Vicar

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 five 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)

Church Wardens [to follow]

   
Gwyn McKenzie
Reader

Information here…

   
Parish Safeguarding Officer
John Mathers

My childhood was spent on a farm in N. Ireland. I was an undergraduate at Newcastle University and then moved to Cambridge for research training where I met my wife and where our two daughters were born. After a short time carrying out research in Edinburgh University, I took up an academic post in Newcastle University where I have enjoyed a long career in teaching and research in nutrition and health.

Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family including my wonderful grandchildren. This is even better when those activities are in the natural world – walking in the mountains, looking for dippers and kingfishers in the local river or growing fruit and vegetables on our allotment.

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