Meet the Team

Ministers

Currently we have one full time priest and two part-time members of clergy here at St Michael's. The main responsibility of our clergy is to minister to the spiritual needs of the parish, including leading worship, teaching the Faith and helping people to mark major life events.



Rev’d Canon Sue Pinnington


Our Rector, Rev'd Canon Sue Pinnington joined us in October 2008 bringing with her much experience at national and parish level. A graduate of Durham university hailing originally from the Wirral, she is a welcome arrival here at St Michael's.



Rev’d David Huntley


Rev'd David Huntley joined us in November 2009 having previously served in Owton Manor in Hartlepool. David will be with us until mid 2011 when he finishes his training.



Rev’d Margaret Lee


Rev'd Margaret Lee joined our ministry team at St Michael's in 2006. Margaret recently worked as a teacher in a Hartlepool Comprehensive as well as serving as part time with us. She was Priested at the end of June 2007 and her wide experience of working with young people as well as her keen sense of humour are valuable gifts in our church life.

Readers

We also have licenced members of our congregation called Readers who teach, lead worship and help with activity groups and pastoral work. Readers can also minister at funerals and help those who are bereaved.


Ros Pickersgill

Ros has been a Reader at St. Michael's for several years now and her thoughtful sermons are always looked forward to. She works 4 days a week as a Religious Studies tutor in a local 6th form college, as well as being a mother and faithful carer of Barney the dog. Ros’ insight into different faiths has added greatly to the teaching at St Michael’s, and her love of English folk songs in the tradition of Maddy Prior has enlivened our music (although no one will forget her memorable performance as Dolly Parton at the New Year’s Church Party in 2006).



Sue Elsey

Originally hailing from Hartlepool where her family are still part of the fishing fleet, Sue recently became our second licenced Reader and has completed her training to take funerals as well as normal Reader duties. Sue also works as a sales manager for a local building company when she’s not looking after the family and Dolly the spaniel. Sue led YSunday, our youth group, for many years and has a real heart for helping young people to find faith and for contemporary worship that everyone can enjoy.



Anne Clappison

Anne works part time as a teacher in a local primary school and has worshipped at St Michael's all of her life. Married with 3 grown up children her passion is shopping and she has her own reserved parking place at the Metro Centre!

Pastoral Assistants

Visiting and caring for people, not just in church, but throughout the community, is a major part of church life. Some of our members are specially trained to carry out this work supporting the clergy.


Ivy Lemmon

Ivy has held the office of Pastoral Assistant for over six years and works in the community, taking communion to those unable to get to church, as well as visiting those who are sick. Ivy worked in cosmetics for 16 years and latterly as a Housing Officer at Easington District Council. Now retired, she still likes to be active in the community bringing comfort and company to those who are housebound, in-between looking after her grandchildren.


Thelma Steel

Thelma was licenced as a Pastoral Assistant in July 2007 having been a faithful member of our congregation of faith for many years. An active artist who illustates our Parish History every month in the church magazine, Thelma spends many a happy hour trying to keep her grandchildren from being fed chocolate biscuits by well wishers.


Jacqui Rogerson

Jacqui was licenced by the bishop of Durham in July 2007 to be a Pastoral Assistant, bringing our team up to three. A full time librarian, Jacqui plays an active role in our Childrens Church as well being involved in the hand bell ringers and womens groups.

Church Wardens

Many members of the church also make a substantial contribution to our church life. Our Church Wardens in particular share responsibility with the Rector for running St Michael's.


Simon Hardy

Simon is our church warden whose friendly manner and organisational skills are a great asset to our church life. In a large parish such as St Michael's the extra pair of hands is an essential part of the running of the church. Working in the health service full time, fulfilling the role as cantor in the choir and serving on the ministry development team keeps Simon fully engaged.


Alistair Bradley

Alastair is our other church warden, as well as being the secretary of the ‘Last Orders’ men’s group that meets at the Rugby Club every first Monday of the month, Alastair is our ‘reporter on the ground’ for the church magazine, the Signpost. In between all this flurry of activity, Alastair works full time for the local authority as a Trading Standards Enforcement Officer.


Thelma Steel

Thelma was elected assistant church warden in 2010 having held post as an APA for several years prior to that. A regular contributor to the parish magazine Thelma and her husband Jim are among the most steadfast supporters of the 'Next 900' events and rarely miss a function.

Parochial Church Council

Then there’s the Parochial Church Council (PCC), which is responsible along with the Rector for promoting the mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical – as well as for maintaining the church buildings.

Ministry Development Team

At St Michael's we have a ministry development team of 10 people who help to shape and promote the spiritual life of the church, working closely with the PCC and the Rector.

The list could go on to mention all our church officers, sidespeople, welcomers etc.... That's what makes St Michael's a lively and sociable community!

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