We are currently in a vacancy and awaiting a new rector.

Rev'd Derek Newton is one of the ministry team here at St. Michael's, a former curate who has served as chaplain in the vicinity, Derek describes himself as 'A local lad made bad' and has recently led a number of outreaches into the community at large who wouldn't normally come into a church building.

Rev'd Margaret Lee is the latest member of our ministry team at St Michael's. 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.

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).

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.

Ivy Lemmon

Ivy has held the office of Pastoral Assistant for two 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.

David Turnbull

David is church warden and a member of the Ministry Development Team at St Michael’s. Being retired electronics engineer by trade, comes in very handy for mending all sorts of church equipment and David can often be seen up a ladder or down a hole. His talent for drama and singing has been rediscovered in recent years, with several enthusiastic (if unscripted) performances in the Houghton Feast productions mounted by the St Michael’s drama group. Also a keen cyclist, David is a founder member of the interestingly named ‘Young Executives Cycle Club’ (!)

Karen Lambton

Karen, our other church warden, served faithfully as assistant church warden for several years. A full-time Nursery Nurse, Karen also co-ordinates our Sunday morning Young Church, on at 10.00am and is a member of the Ministry Development Team. In-between looking after family she is also a regular at the gym and a founder member of ‘Time Out for Women’.

Alastair is assistant church warden and has held the post for some five years now. In a large parish such as St Michael's the extra pair of hands is an essential part of the running of the church. 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.