Building the team – exciting new appointments announced!

We are delighted to report that Bishop Nick has announced two appointments to the position of Assistant Curate at Leeds Minster: Andrew Earwaker and Jo Jones will join us in July following their respective ordinations.

Andrew is currently in the final year of his studies at St Augustine’s College of Theology in Kent, and will join us full-time.

Jo will join us while continuing to work in her current position as deputy head of chaplaincy at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, a post she has exercised as a licensed lay minister until now.

We are thrilled that Andrew and Jo will be based among us as they embark on the next stage of their ministries. We look forward to welcoming and supporting them with our prayers, giving thanks for all the gifts that they bring, as we seek to serve the city of Leeds.

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Jo writes:

I have been married to Ian since 1984, we have two daughters – Bethany and Lucy, 2 son-in-laws- Philip and Aaron, and three gorgeous grandchildren – Daisy, Maximiliano and Sylvester.

I am the deputy head of chaplaincy at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, a job that I live and is an absolute blessing. I will be continuing to work full time during my curacy, but will be around most Sundays and at various other times during the week.

I love music, I play a few instruments mainly for my own amusement and I really enjoy singing.

I have lived in Leeds all my life, and really look forward to meeting you all in person  and serving at Leeds Minster as Assistant Curate

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Andrew writes:

A native of Barking in East London, I grew up with my two brothers being taken to my local church as a child, where, by my own admission, I probably wasn’t the best-behaved child in the building. Joining the choir aged seven, I discovered a love of liturgical music and hymns – something encouraged and nurtured by the church. It was clear from early on that music would be more than just a hobby and would play a big role in my life – I took on my first organist post aged 14.

Alongside church posts, I’ve had an eclectic mix of jobs, ranging from a barman to a prisoner custody officer to the P.A. to the Bishop of Richborough- experiences I hope will benefit and inform my future ministry.

In 2005 I was appointed Director of Music at St Mary the Virgin East Barnet, and it was here that the journey toward ordination began. It quickly became clear that this was more than just an organist post, leading to the decision to take a leap of faith and become a self-employed musician. It was during his time at East Barnet that I began to feel called by God to something more than music.

I am currently in my third year of studies at St Augustine’s College of Theology in Kent. I have an interest in ministry with prisoners, particularly those being released and recently released from prison.

I’m married to Dinah, a performer, choreographer and vocal coach. We are both very excited for the move to Leeds later this year, along with our cat, Mavis.

When not working, Dinah and I often like to reimagine well known songs and see what arrangements they can create.

I have a love of musical theatre and enjoy reading; Dickens is probably my favourite writer (although I’ve never managed to get anywhere with Nicholas Nickleby.)

A big Star Wars fan, the Forbidden Planet on The Headrow is a cause for much excitement for me and much eye-rolling from Dinah.

In the coming months as academic studies draw to an end and we prepare for the move to Leeds, your prayers would be very much appreciated.

I am very much looking forward to becoming part of the story of Leeds Minster, working alongside and being guided by Canon Paul and all who work and worship there.