Leadership Team

Vicar: Vacant

Associate Minister: Revd Bryony Partridge

I was born and raised in Surrey suburbia, but have lived in Oakworth for over thirty years, with my husband, Gerald, a former GP in Keighley (sadly, recently deceased). I have two sons, Roland and Tristan who are both married and Roland has two boys. Although I studied Modern Languages, and trained as a teacher, for many years since we came here I ran our 8 acre smallholding, raising sheep and cattle, with a few hens and bees; I still tend a quite a big vegetable and fruit garden.

Over the years I have done a wide variety of voluntary work, and I felt that what I was doing was worthwhile. But I kept having a niggling question: is this really what God wants me to be doing? Eventually, I realised that God was calling me into something else; I trained as a Reader in the Church, and then discovered that the call was to the priesthood. Although I have come late in life to this work, I realise that God can use all my previous experience. Combining family with ministry is sometimes a challenge, but I really enjoy all my work.

I love walking in the glorious countryside in this part of the world. I also enjoy Sudoku puzzles, and knitting – when I sit down indoors for long enough! 
Tel: 01535 643206
bryonypartridge@oakworthchurch.org.uk

Associate Minister: Revd Anne Pickard

I was ordained as a Non stipendiary Minister in 2004 and ministered in the same church I had come to faith in 15 years earlier. I lived in Halifax all my life until 5 years ago when I moved to Oakworth to live closer to my family. After three years of commuting between Oakworth and Halifax for church services etc. I made the decision to offer my ministry to Christ Church in Oakworth.

I have been made to feel very welcome in this church, I feel to be a part of the church family and have made many good friends. As retired clergy, I am very happy to offer my services to Christ Church whenever needed and I very much enjoy the variation of worship to be found in the services.

My hobbies consist of walking my dog, not very far now as he is getting old, and spending time with my family.

Tel:01274400096

annepickard@oakworthchurch.org.uk

Reader: Philip Cullingworth

I was born and bred in Berkshire, living there until my marriage to Sarah when we moved to Surrey.

 Ten years ago we moved up to Oakworth, aiming to be near at least one set of baby sitters, otherwise known as (grand)parents, with our Son born a year later.

I work in a Civil Engineering company based in Skipton, working with the computer systems to create the various reports that are needed to run a modern company.  In my spare time, what there is of it, I enjoy reading, crosswords and other puzzles and when we get a free weekend we enjoy heading out in our caravan to enjoy the countryside.  I keep dreaming of improving my fitness and getting out on my bike (the pedal variety), but the hill up to Oakworth keeps getting in the way.

I've been part of a church almost all my life, playing in music groups for most of that time.  I mainly play the bass guitar now though I still step in occasionally with an acousic guitar when needed.  I felt that I was being asked to step out and do something more in church and after some exploration decided that I wanted to be a Lay Reader.  A Reader is someone that has been given some training and has been approved by the Church to perform some tasks and services.  The Lay part means that I am not ordained (so no back to front collar for me).  I started my training in September 2012 and was licensed in 2015. 
Tel: 01535 640612  
philipcullingworth@oakworthchurch.org.uk