Synod Office, 1 Edwards Lane, Nottingham, NG5 3AA
Tel: 0115 960 9241
The office is usually open
Monday - Thursday, 9.00am - 3.00pm
You can contact any of these people via the synod Office.
Unsure who? Then choose Synod Office (Mrs Chris Willis)
Revd Geoffrey Clarke
East Midlands Synod Moderator
Geoffrey has been the Moderator of the East Midlands Synod since May 2020. Geoffrey previously served as Deputy Moderator and Ecumenical Officer in the East Midlands Synod and Synod Clerk for North Western Synod. In local church ministry, Geoffrey served in: Seaton Delaval, a URC and Methodist LEP; Trinity Church, Cheadle; and The Crossing LEP in Worksop along with Wales Kiveton Methodist Church.
The role of Moderator includes offering leadership to the Synod and its churches – in the care of ministers and the support of local churches as they discern God’s mission in their communities. Moderators never exercise authority as ‘solo’ but always alongside the Synod’s staff team and wider membership. The Moderator also fosters co-operation and partnership with other Christian denominations at regional level and plays a part in the wider life of the URC.
Geoffrey is married to Judith with two grown-up sons. They enjoy the great outdoors with their dog, Bonnie, and Geoffrey particularly enjoys taking part in weekend parkruns and socialising with family and friends.
Revd Jane Wade
Deputy Moderator
Jane is Minister of Abington Avenue URC, Northampton and Area minister to the Northampton Area Church Partnership.
In her Synod role, she has the privilege of deputising for the Moderator whenever he is unavailable through other work commitments, annual leave or training. This can include:
- conducting Ordinations or Inductions of ministers or CRCW’s, and special church services such as anniversaries or Thanksgivings;
- the pastoral care of ministers and retired ministers;
- ecumenical duties;
- representing the Moderator on various committees;
- attending meetings of Synod Officers;
- chairing Synod Council and Synod Meetings;
- and during the Moderator’s sabbatical, attending the monthly Moderators’ Meeting
Hannah Willey
PA to the Moderator
Hannah is Personal Assistant to the Moderator, Secretary to the Ordained Ministry and Churches Group and Privacy Officer support.
Hannah usually works Monday – Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm and Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm.
Hannah assists the Moderator in the organisation of his diary and tasks including Synod, national and ecumenical meetings, visits to ministers and churches, retired ministers’ gatherings, inductions, vacancy visits and church services to name a few.
Chris Willis
Synod Administrator
& Office Manager
Chris fulfils two vital roles in the staff team. As Synod Administrator, she organises our twice-yearly Synod Meeting, which includes assembling and distributing the papers, then managing and minuting the event itself.
As Office Manager, she ensures the smooth running of our administrative functions and has responsibilities relating to all staff members.
Among other duties, Chris acts as Secretary to the Lay Ministries Group; administrator to Synod Council and Mission Fund group. Normally working Monday to Thursday, Chris is very often the first port of call for incoming queries and stands ready to help you.
Dr Graham Jennings
Synod Clerk
The Synod Clerk is an Officer of Synod along with the Moderator and Treasurer.
Working with colleagues, the Clerk oversees arrangements for meetings - planning agendas and ensuring minutes are taken; is a point of contact between Synod and the wider United Reformed Church - General Assembly, Assembly Executive and other Synods; and may be contacted for advice and support on the structure, governance and procedures of the Synod and denomination.
Donna Varley
Finance & Governance Officer
Donna is our full-time (Monday to Friday) Finance & Governance officer, who splits her working week between the Synod Office and home in Nottingham.
She is responsible for all things financial, and makes sure that we operate legally, sustainably, and successfully as a Synod. She is also the Secretary to the Synod Trust and its Directors. Donna is best contacted on her mobile or by email and will be happy to help with any financial queries (or indeed anything else that can’t be sorted by anyone else!).
David Greatorex
Synod Treasurer
David became Treasurer for the East Midlands Synod in 2011 following a period as deputy and after retiring from over 44 years in Local Authority Housing Service.
He has oversight of the Synod Finances. Earlier Board member roles with YMCA Derbyshire and the Chartered Institute of Housing (East Midlands) and serving as an Elder / Secretary in a local church he is aware of the concerns and needs of churches. The Treasurer role is as a volunteer and enquires made to the office will be passed on as appropriate.
Tom Donoghue
Mission Development Officer (MDO)
Tom Donoghue is the Mission Development Officer helping to equip churches in their missional discipleship and growth.
Please contact Tom to talk about mission and discipleship and your ideas for the future which could include mission projects, pioneering and church growth. If you are considering an application for the Synod Mission Fund please get in touch with Tom and he will advise you of the process and support.
Tom lives in North Derbyshire with his family and they enjoy spending time in the Peak District. His working pattern is flexible: days off usually alternate as Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday.
Geoff Milnes
Property Officer
Geoff is a Chartered Surveyor with 45 years’ experience in dealing with property of all shapes and sizes. He has been involved in surveys and Quinquennial inspections, as well as sale and purchase of property, so is fairly familiar with the quirks and foibles of looking after churches and Manses.
Geoff works part time (Tuesdays and Thursdays – normally!) and is usually in the Synod office on Tuesdays. Feel free to contact him with any queries or concerns about your Church and/or Manse. Geoff is also willing to visit you to discuss ‘on site’ and in person any issues to be resolved.
Charlotte Stubbins
Property Administrator
Charlotte started working at United Reformed Church East Midlands Synod on the 18th June 2024 as Property Administrator. She has previously worked in residential sales and lettings for around 8 years and 2 years in commercial lettings within the East Midlands area. Charlotte has an almost two-year-old daughter and lives with her partner in the Nottinghamshire area.
Charlotte provides administrative support to Geoff Milnes, Property Officer and is here to help with any queries or concerns.
Derek Graham
Training & Development Officer (TDO)
Derek enjoys the privilege of working with anyone who exercises ministry at any level, helping to enable and encourage you for your service through the local church.
Alongside creating and publicising opportunities, he is there to connect you with whatever contacts, resources or funding you need to build up the gifts God has given you, ready to play your own special role in the Body of Christ.
If you share the desire to keep on learning as you pursue a lifelong journey of discipleship, one step at a time, get in touch: Derek will be glad to walk with you.
Richard Knott
Children’s & Youth Development Officer (CYDO)
Richard’s role as CYDO is to offer support to all churches in the Synod seeking to ensure that all are encouraged, equipped and enabled to engage effectively with children, young people and their households.
Richard is available to support churches in the development of new or existing projects and to empower children and young people to take a lead role within their local churches, the Synod and at Assembly level. Believing passionately that the Church as the body of Christ is at its best when all ages are fully involved together, Richard would be delighted to hear from you.
Ben Twelves
Synod Safeguarding Officer (SSO)
Ben is the Synod Safeguarding Officer and supports the local churches within the EM Synod. He is very approachable and can be to be contacted about any safeguarding queries, however big or small. He doesn’t know all the answers, but he usually knows someone who does. Ben lives in the Peak District and is a member of Fountain Square LEP in Tideswell.
Ben usually works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and will return calls or emails asap. However, if anyone is in immediate risk of harm, phone 999 and then contact Ben to inform him of your action.
Hannah Holmes
PA to the TDO, CYDO & SSO
& E-letter Administrator
Hannah is Personal Assistant to the Training and Development Officer, the Children’s and Youth Development Officer and the Synod Safeguarding Officer.
So, if you have any queries about anything training, children and youth or safeguarding related, Hannah will be able to help or point you in the right direction. Hannah also provides admin support for matters regarding Lay Presidency and edits both the Synod E-letter and Children’s and Youth Newsletter.
Revd Craig Muir
Synod Transitional Minister
Contact Craig
“What Next?” Is the question many churches are asking themselves. The role of the Synod Transitional Minister is to help us ponder that question and re-imagine God’s call for our future.
Craig has 30 years experience of working with churches in Lancashire/Manchester, Coventry & Warwickshire and North Leicestershire. He has been part of merging, planting, re-building and re-imagining in a variety of contexts and can help you to ask, “What Next?”
Craig’s work is managed by OMCG via your Pastoral Consultant. But he is always available for an informal conversation.
David Legge
Database & Website Manager
David created and maintains the Synod Office database and the Synod's website and gives general IT guidance. He works part time.
As well as supporting the Synod Office, David is happy to give guidance to local churches on IT matters: computers and computer software, emails, websites, using a digital projector in church, etc.