Leadership Team

Ruby Beech 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 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 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.

Sam McBratney 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 Coventry. You can find out more about him from his website: www.cassowary.eu. Sam is our Chair.

Alister McClure 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.

Mark Rowland 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.