Vicar - The Rev'd Mike Godfrey

Mike is 60. Born in Norfolk. Served in the Royal Air Force. Trained as a Secondary Teacher. Began taking steps to becoming a Missionary Teacher in Africa and found himself called to be a Minister in the Church of England instead! After training at St.John’s Nottingham, he served as a Curate to Holy Trinity, Aylesbury for 3 ½ years;  5 ½ years followed in charge of a thriving daughter church in Chadderton, Oldham in Lancashire. Then 12 years as Vicar of All Saints, Woodlands, Doncaster.          

Woodlands is an  ex-mining pit village with a catalogue of social and economic problems, but with some of the finest people I have ever met. During our time there the church changed greatly. Everything was hard won. Money was always in short supply, as was confidence, leadership and vision; yet the Lord blessed us and provided wonderfully for all we needed. Prayer is central; worship is crucial, life transformation in the Spirit is what we seek.

The past 7 years have been a great contrast; working in St Mary’s Wythall on the southern edge of Birmingham, but part of Worcestershire, with a more rural and village feel to the place.

My background is that of a secure Christian home. I have been a disciple of Jesus Christ for something like 40 exciting years. I would say I have always known God, but He took on personality as I grew, and I had a ‘conversion’ experience during my time in the RAF. Two years later whilst training to teach I was filled with the Spirit. Over the years I have been strongly influenced by both the evangelical and charismatic streams of the Church. I have several passions in my life; unashamedly I hope it is true  that I love Jesus first, and I love to see Him work to change people’s lives. I love the Church and have been privileged to share with Christians in Uganda, Nigeria and Finland through short-term missions. For some 18 years I have been a supporter of New Wine; its values and leaders’ Network have been invaluable to my life and work. I am convinced we live in strategic and exciting, though anxious, times. This is a time for boldness and courage, and a readiness to embrace radical change. 

I have discovered in St Peters’ Morley people who share my heart and passions. The past six months have been a journey of discovering God’s blessings and encouragements one after another, after another. My hope and ambition is that we will all become more fully the dedicated followers of Jesus Christ that our hearts aspire to.

Richard Connel - Lay Reader

Born in Hull and is a loyal Hull City Season Ticket Holder. Brought up in a church family. Works for Royal mail Counters above the Markets Post Office in Leeds. Moved to Morley in 1988. Married to Helen for almost 25 years and has one daughter, Ruth(10).

Email: richard@beyondchurch.org.uk

Jackie Gallop - Lay Reader

Became a Christian as a teenager and has been a Reader for 15 years. Moved to Morley from West Sussex in 2000 to escape the daily London commute. Works for UK Border Agency. Currently based in central Leeds, but now regularly travelling across the Pennines and to the South! Single, no kids, two cats.

Email: jackie@beyondchurch.org.uk

Dianne Law - Churchwarden

Born and brought up in the parish and a member of All Saints’ from my earliest memories but started to worship at St. Peter’s in 2004. Trained as a teacher at St. John’s College, York where I met my husband John. Taught in a Morley Primary School until 2007. Am now semi-retired and do some supply teaching in a couple of local schools. Have fulfilled lots of roles in the church over the years including teaching Sunday school and singing in All Saints’ choir. Currently I am the Parish Child Protection Officer, a member of the Events group and the Audio/Visual team, editor of the Parish magazine and was recently elected Church Warden.

Email: dianne@beyondchurch.org.uk

Edwina Cooper - Churchwarden

Edwina Cooper – Church warden and Parish administrator. Born in Barnsley (well someone has to be!) and after living in Swansea for three years, moved to Morley and have lived here for 26 years. Married to Michael and have 3 children, Sarah, Richard and Michelle also 3 grandchildren, Joe, Alfie and Mason and a cat called Dennis. I work full time for the NHS as a Health support Worker on a Psychiatric ward. Have been attending St Peter’s for the last 13 years and love what God is doing here at the moment.

Email: edwina@beyondchurch.org.uk

Michael Cooper - Reader and Treasurer

Married to Edwina with all the same extras described in her bio!! Retired from the gas industry where I was a Project / Planning Engineer, but still keeping occupied with a small part-time job. I was a closet Christian until 13 years ago when I became a regular worshipper at St Peter's and was licensed as a Reader in October 2006 due to the encouragement and fellowship of some very special people God sent into my life. Life has never been the same since, nor do I wish it to be. God was very patient with me, still is as I continually try to keep up with what he is asking of both me and St Peter's.

Email: michael@beyondchurch.org.uk