Who’s Who | St Laurence's Church

The Parish Team

Fr. Neil Kelley – Rector

Fr. Neil has been Rector of St Laurence’s since October 2017 having moved from the Parish of Bushey (Herts). Before Bushey, Fr Neil served the Liverpool Diocese for fifteen years as a Parish Priest, Diocesan Advisor on Liturgy & Worship and member of the Diocesan Church Growth Team.

Fr. Neil is passionate about people engaging with Christ through inclusive worship and daily discipleship. When he’s off duty, he can be found playing the piano (his professional hobby), enjoying time with friends, and walking his black Labrador, Poppy.

01257 266037 / 07980 872203 rector@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Joan Hayward – Reader

Joan is a Reader at St Laurence’s Chorley. Readers are people called by God, trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work; in plain speaking to be useful in sharing the message of Jesus and work of the church with everybody.

Joan also works locally in a full-time administration role, spends time with family and enjoys various ways of relaxing.

07500 776195 joan@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Phil Hall – Pastoral Assistant

Phil Hall has been a member of St. Laurence Church for over 30 years having previously been heavily involved in his church in Bolton. Phil served a total of seven years as churchwarden and is currently part of the pastoral visiting team.

Phil has three children and eight grandchildren, ages ranging from 22 years old down to the youngest at nine months old. Other than family, Phil is passionate about football and cricket and is a season ticket holder with Chorley Football Club and a member of Chorley Cricket Club. Phil also enjoys brewing his own wine and cider.

01257 415602

Dodie Jones – Pastoral Assistant

Dorothy (usually known as Dodie) trained to become a Pastoral assistant sixteen years ago. Prior to this, she had worked for Preston Cruse bereavement care. During this time, she rose to the challenge of accepting the role of Diocesan Lay Director of Blackburn Cursillo for four years. Just before he retired, Bishop Nicholas invited any PAs in the Diocese to the status of ‘Emeritus’ and as her circumstances had changed, she accepted this, enabling her to lay down some of the duties of pastoral work. She still helps with Baptism preparation and is part of the ministry team, taking part in two house-groups and spirituality group and is always available to minister whenever needed.

She loves gardening, going to the theatre, holidaying every year in Portugal and walking with her husband David when both have free time! Dodie is passionate about loving people into a closer walk with Christ.

01257 265189

Alan Winstanley – Director of Music

Alan first began learning the organ at Wigan Parish Church with David Cutter and while in the sixth form at the Deanery High School he was a member of the British Youth Choir. He furthered his studies at London College of Music with Gordon Phillips. He was appointed organist at St Peter’s Notting Hill Gate and after graduating undertook a PGCE at King Alfred’s College, Winchester. In September 1982 he took up his first teaching post at UpHolland High School. In August of that year Alan was appointed Organist at St. Laurence’s. In 1986 he became Head of Music at Ormskirk Grammar School and in 1996 was promoted to be in charge of the Arts Faculty. The school merged in 2001 with Cross Hall High School to form Ormskirk School.

After 28 years at the school Alan took early retirement in July 2014. Alan was Conductor of the St Nicholas Singers and for the last thirteen years has been Conductor of the Chorley Choral Society. Alan is a senior examiner for AQA Examination Board for A level music.

01257 241995 alan@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

Wardens Team

Bernard Oakley (Parish Warden)

Margaret Shackleton and Anne Watts (Deputy Wardens)

Rob Kelly and David Thistlethwaite (Emeritus Wardens)

all the wardens can be contacted through the Parish Office, 01257 231360

Assisting Clergy

Canon Ken Barrett and Fr. Peter Gregson

Fr. Ken and Fr. Peter can be contacted through the Parish Office, 01257 231360