Priest in Charge – Revd Dr James Grenfell
James is married with three children, and also has a highly-disobedient cocker-spaniel called Wilfred. His wife, Joanne, is a Canon at Sheffield Cathedral where she is Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Dean of Women’s Ministry.
James studied Theology as an undergraduate at Queen’s College, Oxford followed by an MPhil in Latin American Studies and a DPhil in Theology. Following his ordination training at Westcott House, Cambridge he was ordained in 2000, as Assistant Curate in Kirkby, Liverpool. In July 2003, James moved to the Manor area of Sheffield to lead a team working across three churches in a large parish. During his time in Sheffield James has also obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Fundraising Management at Sheffield Hallam University
Among James’s interests are cooking and entertaining, reading (especially contemporary fiction), art (particularly modern and contemporary), and walking.
Honorary Assistant Priest – Bridget Brooke
Bridget was born in London and trained as an Orthoptist at Moorfield Eye Hospital, London. She came to Sheffield in 1962 as Head Orthoptist at the Children’s Hospital and in 1978 became Principal of the training of the training school based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. At the same time as coming to Sheffield she came to St John’s, teaching in the Sunday School and also beginning the Junior Youth Club. In 1980 she was licensed as a Reader and then ordained Deacon in 1989 after training at Mirfield. In 1994 Bridget was one of the first women to be ordained Priest at Sheffield Cathedral.
Reader – David McClean
David is a Professor of Law in the University of Sheffield and also Chancellor of the Diocese. He was formerly Chairman of the General Synod’s House of Laity.
Churchwarden – Alan Heath
Alan has been a member of St John’s since the age of 13 when he joined the choir and he has sung here ever since. He has worked in finance for Sheffield City Council education department for many years. In his spare time, in addition to singing, Alan enjoys football, cricket and walking. He has recently taken on the role of Churchwarden and is enjoying the new challenge.
Churchwarden – John Green
John has recently retired from the National Health Service where he was director of Dental Public Health for Sheffield PCT. He and his wife Sandra came to Sheffield and St John's in 2001 having previously lived in Lincolnshire and Wellingborough in Northamptonshire; John was a Churchwarden in both of these parishes. John's main interests are model railways and travel.
Director of Music – Robert Webb
Robert Webb returned to his native Yorkshire in September 2003 to take up the post of Director of Music at St John's. He is also Director of the Sterndale Singers of Sheffield, directs and accompanies various other choirs and groups and is a teacher with the Milsom School of Music in Sheffield, teaching singing, piano, organ, theory and aural. Robert is also active as a composer and arranges music for choirs.
Assistant Organist – Derek Grover
Derek recently retired following a distinguished career in the civil service. He was a Foundation Scholar and conducted the college choir and orchestra at Clare College, Cambridge, and for fifteen years was conductor of the Sheffield Motet Singers. He has been Assistant Organist at St John's for over twenty years.