Who we are

We at St Aidan’s are a very diverse community coming from a variety of countries, cultures and backgrounds. Among us, many different languages are spoken. Our  Sunday Parish Mass is conducted in English, although the Gospel is also read in either Shona or French.  Find out more about Services & Events at St. Aidan’s. 

 

The vicar

 The Rev’d Canon Alan Taylor, has spent his entire ministry in inner-city parishes: first of all in Liverpool, where he was Race Relations Adviser to the Diocesan Bishop and for the last twenty seven years at St Aidan’s in Leeds. He is the local Liberal Democrat councillor for Gipton and Harehills: an area which covers most of the parish. Alan.Taylor@leeds.gov.uk  

 

Associate Priest 

 The Rev’d Diana Zanker, has been in ministry at St Aidan’s since 2005. Prior to her ordination she taught English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in a number of inner-city schools in Leeds.  She is currently Project Leader for Supporting the Local Community at St Aidan’s which provides ESOL and IT to asylum seekers and refugees. revdiana@staidan-leeds.org.uk

 

Parish Deacon 

 The Rev’d Clyde Rawlins, was born in Barbados and has been a member of the worshipping community at St Aidan’s for 48 years. He was ordained in 2002 and as Parish Deacon has liturgical and pastoral responsibilities within the parish.

  

Tony JowittReader Emeritus 

 Tony Jowitt was licensed as a Reader to St Aidan’s over 20years ago.  He is a regular member of a joint Society of St Vincent de Paul with a local Roman Catholic church. He visits the housebound administering home communion and maintaining contact between them and the church. He is part of a small team who provide a meal on Christmas Day for those who would otherwise be on their own.

 

Reader 

 Carolynne Pepper was licensed as a Reader in October 2010, having been a member of the congregation since 1991. She is the Mothers’ Union branch leader, a member of the PCC and Deanery Synod and is involved in the Baptism Group and Worship Committee for St Aidan’s Church.

 

The Churchwardens

   Andrew Ifill  and Ros Lehany work closely with the clergy, and as part of their responsibilities help in the smooth running of the church and the day to day functioning of the parish such as various aspects of administration, care for the building and involvement with the people of the parish. Andrew has additional responsibilities as Hall Manager.

   

Treasurer   

Ian (Donny) Parker is St Aidan’s treasurer. His job is to keep track of the  parish and community hall finances as well as presenting the accounts at the AGM. He is always happy to receive donations on behalf of the church and can be contacted through his email address: treasurer@staidan-leeds.org.uk. He is also a Eucharist Minister.

 

 

Communications Officer

 Barrie Pepper is a journalist and author. He has been a member of the PCC since 1994 and represents St Aidan’s on the Allerton Deanery Synod.  He is also a member of the Diocesan Synod and its Communications Group. He acts as the church’s communications officer and edits the monthly newsletter.

 

 

Peter Brand - Organist Organist 

Born in Preston in 1985, Peter Brand graduated from the University of Leeds in Summer 2007 with an honours degree in music, having served as Edward Boyle Organ Scholar. This position was also combined with that of an Alto Lay Clerk in the professional choir at Leeds Parish Church. Peter works as a teacher of music at Crawshaw School, Pudsey. His interests include walking, camping, and cooking. Peter lives in Horsforth with his wife, Lucy, who is a professional singer and teacher. They can often be seen in concert together!