Meet the Companions — Resourcing Renewal

Stephen Dinsmore

David Munby

“I retired 4 years ago after serving 30 years as vicar of a Charismatic Evangelical church in Barnsley, following 10 years in 2 parishes in South London. I am married to Jill and we have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. I love singing and playing guitar, walking, preaching, family life, resting and enjoying the sunshine. Would love to encourage others in ministry”

Colleen Riley

“My experience of working professionally in challenging and demanding environments in both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (now FCDO) and the City has taught me to have total reliance on the Lord Jesus and His grace. I am an accredited spiritual director with a heart for journeying alongside fellow believers as a supporter, listener and encourager.”

Revd Canon Amiel Osmaston

“I’ve been prayerfully supporting the work of ReSource for a
number of years, since having been a close colleague of Kevin and Anne Roberts when they ministered in Cumbria. Now I’m retired (still in Cumbria and loving the mountains and views!) and delighted to be free to take up the voluntary role of being an Alongside Companion. For 13 years, I much enjoyed being Ministry Development Officer in the Diocese of Carlisle, overseeing the ongoing training of clergy and lay leaders. Before that, I had a similar post in Chester Diocese. I also spent nine years teaching ordinands at Ridley Hall (having the dubious privilege of being the first woman on the full-time staff there). Through all this, and through my own experience of some of the joys, challenges and griefs of ministry, I’m deeply aware of how much ordained and lay ministers need support and spiritual encouragement.”

Revd Mike Leigh

“My current post is as Chaplain for the Scargill Community in North Yorkshire. I’ve been here just over three years and really value the ministry of hospitality and loving welcome to the many guests who visit here each week. I also am responsible for the ongoing pastoral care of a community that is both ecumenical and international. Before arriving at Scargill I was in parish ministry in the Church of England for 18 years, serving in Hull and then in Scarborough. In Scarborough I went from having one big urban church to setting up a Group Ministry working across urban and rural communities and also took on the role of Area Dean. I have seen first hand many of the challenges of parish ministry and experienced how that has affected my own ministry and mental health. I am really looking forward to being part of the ReSource Alongside Scheme, as I have a real heart for the care of clergy and lay leaders and am excited about how, through the Holy Spirit, we can support those serving the church. “

Caroline Lennartsson

“I’m grateful for the experience of church and mission in several countries over the years, different contexts, and denominations, and for living the last 23 years in South Oxfordshire, from consistent involvement in pastoral care, prayer ministry and spiritual direction, I am profoundly aware of the challenges that face ministers and members in the CofE. Especially for leaders juggling family, small or adult children and a full life alongside ministry.

Our culture presents so many accelerating areas of change, divergence, and opportunity, requiring deep consideration, tough decision making and the need for great courage. I have deep respect and compassion for all who minister the transformational love, grace and acceptance of the Lord Jesus into their communities.To enable an opportunity for confidential, secure sharing, where an individual can lay aside the weight they carry, be heard and validated, is the best form of giving, it is a privilege. “

Steve Sancto

“I retired from the NHS four years ago and am blessed to live in a beautiful area of Somerset close to the Quantock Hills.

I have been married to Karen for more than 35 years and we have two married daughters, a granddaughter and a granddog!

Long distance running has always been a great passion for me and for many years my two closest running companions were both ordained ministers. I often found myself spending most of a long run with them in listening mode (although in part this was due to the need to conserve energy!) Unfortunately, an arthritic knee has meant my long distance running days are now behind me. However, I am really excited about the opportunity to continue being an alongside running companion to others in the ministry albeit now in a metaphorical sense!”

Janet Beer

“In my last professional role, I was an Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo in a large special school in Cumbria, working with children who had significant and complex learning and physical difficulties and their families. When we moved south to a new Benefice, where my husband is Team Rector, I decided to take early retirement.

Nigel and I have been married for many years, having met as students, and have two daughters and a gorgeous granddaughter.

As well as having been a clergy spouse for over thirty years, with all the joys and stresses that that inevitably brings, I am a Reader, known as LLM in our Diocese, and minister across the four churches in the Benefice, preaching and leading services.

Becoming an Alongside Companion has been a huge privilege, using the skills and experience I developed in my professional life and as a clergy spouse, to listen to, pray and listen to God for, and share life with, others in church leadership.”

The Alongside Companions