Leadership Team

Aaron Barnes (him/them) is a Queer trans masculine peripatetic interfaith celebrant and hospital chaplain, presently of no fixed abode. He has been in ministry for over 16  years, and practices a mystical syncretic faith with Methodism and Druidry, influenced by his family’s Ashkenazi Jewish roots. They are deeply interested in Ancient-Future, Neo-Monastic, and Radical Contemplative spiritual communities. His academic background is in Cultural Anthropology, Human Rights, and Gender Studies, and he currently serves as the Faith & Belief Director of the Diversity Trust, as well as providing consultation to the Methodist Connexional EDI teams. Aaron is passionate about empowering everyone to realise their full Holy Wholeness, and feels particularly called to address the oppressive systems embedded in our beliefs and practices around gender and sexuality. They also love storytelling, comedy, and admin, especially spreadsheets.

Ruby Beech (she/her) is an HR Consultant and Independent Celebrant based in Newark on Trent. She has worked in the private, public and charitable sectors and been a Trustee of a number of charities and a Non Executive Director of her local hospital trust. Ruby is a Local Preacher, a past Vice-President of Conference and former member of the Steering Committee of the World Methodist Council. Ruby is passionate about equal rights, including for LGBT+ people and longs for the Methodist Church to reflect the inclusive love of God. Ruby is married to Garry and is our Vice-Chair.

Mandy Briggs (she/her) is a presbyter based at the New Room in Bristol, the oldest Methodist building in the world. As the Education Officer, she works with schools and groups to tell the story of the Wesleys and early Methodism, running lessons and workshops which aim to make connections between John Wesley’s life and beliefs and the world today. Mandy has worked with Christians at Bristol Pride since 2018 to run an annual Pride service at the New Room. She is married to Niall and has two stepsons. Having originally trained as a journalist, Mandy helps to maintain the Dignity and Worth website, blog and social media pages.

Delyth Liddell (she/her) is Coordinating Chaplain at Cardiff University and Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer for the Wales Methodist Synod, as well as being on the Connexional EDI Committee. She is on the leadership of the ecumenical group, “The Gathering – Cardiff, a church for everyone, especially LGBT+”, responding to pastoral and spiritual needs in the LGBT+ community. The Gathering is committed to making links between churches and the LGBT+ community and organises the Faith Tent at Pride Cymru in Cardiff, as well as connecting with local churches and advising on inclusivity.

Pearl Luxon (she/her) is early retired and living in Bristol, having worked as a minister in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire and different parts of London. For 7 years she also worked as a member of the Connexional Team and with the Church of England in a joint Safeguarding Adviser post. Presently Pearl is a School Governor and a fundraiser for a local Jobs, Training and Enterprise project in Shirehampton. She is also resuming as a Spiritual Director and preacher, after a number treatments for lymphoma.

Pearl is married to Ken and has two daughters. It is extremely important to her that she works and advocates as an ally in this space. Pearl is our Membership Secretary.

Sam McBratney (he/him) is currently a part-time presbyter in the Midlands and a researcher at a university in London. He’s proudly Irish and previously worked in rural ministry, chaplaincy and theological education. He is also an activist, including being member of the Corrymeela Community, and working for reconcililatiom in Ireland, the Middle East and Sri Lanka. A member of the World Methodist Council, he also served on two previous Conference Working Parties on Marriage and Relationships. He remains committed to helping Methodists live well with contradictory convictions. Sam has one son, Dom, and lives with his partner, Mark, in Leamington Spa. You can find out more about him from his website: www.cassowary.eu. Sam is our Chair.

Alister McClure (he/him) is a local preacher, circuit steward and district EDI officer in the Yorkshire North and East District. He has been equality, diversity and human rights professional for 20 years, working with public and voluntary sector organisations. Currently working as Head of Equality and Inclusion for an NHS Hospital, he has previously worked as one of the Connexion’s EDI officers. Describing himself as a Methodist who is ecumenical, inclusive and progressive, he has a passion for the giftedness of all people, especially of those not ordained, and for ‘church beyond the Church’. Alister is married to John and lives in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Ben Riley (he/him) is an accountant based in the West Midlands working with private and charitable organisations, and lives with his fiancé, Jason, who is a Methodist Student Presbyter at The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham. As someone who came to the Methodist Church as an adult, he sees the potential within the Church to be an inclusive and safe place demonstrating God’s love for all. He wishes to play a part in that (even if a small part!). Ben is our Secretary.

Mark Rowland (he/him) is a PhD student at the University of Leeds researching queer holiness and also works part-time at the University of Warwick as Free Church Chaplain. A lifelong Methodist, Mark is committed to a gospel which is for all and to the church’s action for justice and peace. Mark is also a trustee of OneBodyOneFaith. Mark lives in Leamington Spa with his partner, Sam. Mark is our Treasurer.