Workplace chaplain takes on new partnership role for Notts churches

A Church of England chaplain who works with shop staff and other workers in the centre of Nottingham has been appointed as the new Partnership Director for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. The post is one of three new positions being set-up in the newly formed Department for Development*, which includes a Training Officer and a World Development Adviser, who have both been appointed this month.

The Revd David McCoulough (45) will take up the role of Associate Director of Partnerships in September 2007 and will work to build partnerships with the church and other faith groups and statutory, voluntary and business agencies across communities.

Born in Newcastle on Tyne, David studied Economics and Social Studies at Manchester University. He went on to study theology at Cramner Hall in Durham and was ordained in 1989. His first church post was in inner city Manchester, from where he moved to Bolton. He then went on to work as a chaplain at the College of Ripon and York St John, before taking up his current post based at St Peter’s and All Saints, Nottingham since 2001.

David said: “I am excited about the new post because I passionately believe it is central to the Church's mission to join in with what God is doing in the world outside the walls of the church through different agencies. I am used to working with partners in the business sector and look forward to working also with voluntary and statutory groups across the diocese and beyond.”

David is married to Francesca, who is a teacher, and they have a daughter Zoe (3). David also has a son Will (13) and daughter Lucy (11).  He is a keen Newcastle United supporter, but also watches local football teams whenever possible. His other interests include cinema and the theatre and he has contributed to courses on faithand film, working with Nottingham’s Broadway Cinema. He has also made occasional appearances on stage in pantomimes, college musicals and a cathedral play. He likes to ‘switch off’ from work by gardening and taking holidays with his family in a trailer tent.

The Revd Alison Cox, currently Team vicar at Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale in the Diocese of Derby, has been appointed as the  new Lay Training Officer and will take up her post from 3rd September 2007.

Alison (50) completed a Bachelor of Education degree at the College of Ripon & York St John and went on to teach English in Leeds and Cambridgeshire. Alison then spent several years teaching English in Finland and Germany, before moving back to the UK.

She gained a Masters degree in Theology from Nottingham University, while training for ordination on the East Midlands Ministry Training Course (EMMTC) and was ordained into the Church of England in 2002. Her first church post was at Bakewell in Derbyshire, before she moved to her current churches in 2005.

She believes the post will provide real opportunities to offer fresh, relevant and effective learning programmes for Christians, whatever their vocation.

She said: “I passionately want to be involved in this exciting and exhilarating work.”

Alison is married to Martin, who is a solutions architect in the computer industry. They have two daughters – Philippa (20) who is studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge University and India (16) who will shortly be studying for A levels.

The family enjoys the theatre, spending time with friends and walking in the Peak District, quality-controlling hostelries en route!

Shelagh Baird-Smith (52) has been appointed as the World Development Adviser for the diocese. The post will build on the work of previous volunteers to help raise awareness of global, local, fair trade, justice and world development issues, as well as helping churches respond to environmental issues.

Shelagh is a qualified teacher, who also set up an upholstery and soft furnishings business. She is passionate about the church being at the forefront of social justice for the developing world and has been an active campaigner in the national Jubilee Debt campaign, at a local and national level. She has been involved with Fairtrade for many years and is a speaker for Traidcraft and an investor in and ambassador for Shared Interest, a co-operative lending society which finances Fairtrade.

As a volunteer, Shelagh steered Southwell & Nottingham Diocese to success in its Fairtrade recognition and for the past two years has been chair of Nottingham Fairtrade working group.

She said: “In the modern climate it is easy for the church to become involved in its own troubles, but I believe it must not lose sight of the bigger picture. It must be active in the areas of justice to the developing world in the face of the effects of globalisation and climate change.”

Shelagh is a Church of England Reader and is a member of Holy Trinity Church, Southwell. She represents the church and deanery at the Diocesan Synod.

Shelagh is married to Ian, who is a Customer Services Manager for Impress Metal Packaging. They have two sons, Stephen (24) currently working in Nottingham, and Alan (22) studying Pharmacy at Manchester University.

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*Editor’s note: The Department for Development was set up in May 2007, following a merger with the departments of Ministry and Social Responsibility. The aim of the new department is to enhance and support the work of the churches at all levels across the diocese, both in partnership with other agencies and organisations and in its mission and pastoral care for the population of Nottinghamshire.