Staff and Leadership

Please find below an introduction to our church leaders and members of staff.


Tony Holmes		Lindy Illingworth
Tony serves as Churchwarden at St Helen’s Church in Bilton-in-Ainsty, where he plays a vital role in the life of the parish. As Chair of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), he provides leadership and direction, helping to guide the church’s mission and ministry. He also takes the lead in communications, ensuring that news, events, and updates reach the congregation and wider community effectively. In addition to his administrative and leadership roles, Tony is an active member of the worship band, using his musical gifts to enrich services and bring people together in worship.		Lindy is a deeply valued and long-standing member of our church family, serving with dedication as an Authorised Lay Minister. With a compassionate heart and a listening ear, she has a particular calling for pastoral care, offering comfort and support to those in need. Her work in bereavement support provides reassurance and guidance to individuals and families navigating loss, while her commitment to senior ministry ensures that older members of the community feel valued, connected, and cared for.

Kathryn Wright		Janice Quinn
Kathryn serves as a dedicated Churchwarden for All Saints Church, Moor Monkton, St John's, Hessay, and Hessay Methodist Chapel. She plays a key role in church finances, ensuring responsible stewardship and financial sustainability. With a strong passion for working with families and young people, she actively supports initiatives that engage and nurture the next generation in faith. Pastoral care is another passion, trying to reach out and encourage others. Additionally, Kathryn provides a vital link to the Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP), fostering collaboration between the churches and strengthening their shared ministry.		Janice is a dedicated churchwarden at All Saints Church, Wighill, where she plays a vital role in the life of the church community. As secretary to the Parochial Church Council (PCC), she is responsible for preparing agendas, taking minutes, and ensuring that all necessary documentation is up to date.

Mike Cross		Alastair Lawson Tancred
Mike Cross serves as the Safeguarding Lead for the Rural Ainsty Parish, helping to ensure our churches remain safe and supportive spaces for all. He is the main point of contact for any safeguarding concerns across the parish and works closely with clergy, churchwardens, and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Mike brings a thoughtful, diligent approach to his role, underpinned by a genuine care for the well-being of others. Whether you have a question, a concern, or simply need to talk something through, Mike is available to offer confidential support and guidance. He is committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding and regularly attends training to stay informed and equipped for this vital role. He can be contacted by clicking Here		Alastair is Churchwarden at St John the Baptist, Healaugh, where he brings insight, organisation, and a deep commitment to the life of the parish. With a background in journalism and international communications, he offers clear leadership and a thoughtful approach to his role. Alastair has a particular interest in inclusion and diversity, and is passionate about helping the church remain a place of welcome, belonging, and community for all.

Elizabeth Cushion		Rachel Brammar
Rev. Elizabeth is an ordained Methodist Minister who leads worship at Hessay Chapel, is available to support the work of the parish, and offers pastoral support. Contact: 01904 788033		Rachel is Churchwarden at St John the Baptist, Healaugh, and plays an active role in the wider life of the parish. She has a particular interest in the fabric of our church buildings and is passionate about preserving their history and beauty for future generations. With a love of historic architecture and a heart for service, Rachel helps ensure our churches remain welcoming, well-cared-for spaces at the heart of their communities.

Nick Grantham
Nick Grantham is currently training to become an Authorised Lay Minister (ALM) in our parish, with a heart for practical and pastoral ministry. As part of his training, he’s learning how to support the life of the church in meaningful, everyday ways. Nick is also a valued member of the worship band, where his musical gifts help lead our worship and bring joy to our services. We’re delighted to support him on this journey and look forward to all that he will bring to the life of our parish.

If you need to contact the Church, please visit the Contact Us page.

For information about the payment of fees to the Parish for Funeral Directors and Stone Masons please contact the Treasurer, Kathryn Wright, Telephone number 07780113381 or email kathrynwright498@googlemail.com

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

Visiting a new church can be daunting, so we aim to make your experience as easy and welcoming as possible. Here's everything you need to know to feel confident and relaxed about your first visit:

Where and When

Our Sunday services take place in the six churches in our parish.

1st Sunday: Hessay Chapel at 9:30 am, All Saints Wighill Communion Service at 10:00 am
2nd Sunday: All Saints Moor Monkton at 10:00 am, St Helen’s Bilton BCP at 11:30 am
3rd Sunday: St John the Baptist Hessay at 10:00 am
4th Sunday: St John the Baptist Healaugh at 10:00 am
5th Sunday (4 times a year): St Helen’s Church, Bilton in Ainsty

For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early. This allows one of our friendly team members to greet you, answer any questions, and help you feel at home.

If you're attending a Breakfast Service, arrive from 9:30 am to enjoy a complimentary light breakfast. For all other services, tea, coffee, biscuits, and homemade cakes are served after the service. This is a great chance to meet people, chat, or simply take a moment to relax and get your bearings. All refreshments are free, and you're welcome to join us whether you're a regular churchgoer or just curious about exploring faith.

What to Expect During the Service

Our main services begin at 10 am, and each starts with a warm welcome from one of our team. We aim to create an environment that is friendly, comfortable, and open to everyone.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:

Duration: Most services last about an hour.
Style: Services include a mix of hymns, prayers, and a message designed to encourage and inspire.
Children: We warmly welcome children of all ages. Feel free to ask about what’s available for your child during your visit.
Accessibility: Our buildings are equipped with ramps and accessible seating. If you have any specific needs, let us know in advance or speak to one of our team members when you arrive.

If you're unsure about anything – from where to sit to what to say during the service – don't worry! Just follow along or simply observe; there's no pressure to do anything you're uncomfortable with.

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After the Service

Stick around after the service to enjoy refreshments and chat with others. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, ask questions, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Whether you’re new to faith or simply exploring, we’re here to make your visit as welcoming and relaxed as possible. If you have any concerns or specific questions before your visit, please feel free to contact us – we’d love to hear from you!

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together, and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership

Tony Holmes, Church Warden, Bilton in Ainsty		Alastair Lawson Tancred, Church Warden, Healaugh
Janice Quinn, Church Warden, Wighill
Kathryn Wright, Church Warden, Hessay and Moor Monkton

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Leadership Team

Staff and Leadership

Tony Holmes

Lindy Illingworth

Kathryn Wright

Janice Quinn

Mike Cross

Alastair Lawson Tancred

Elizabeth Cushion

Rachel Brammar

Nick Grantham