A former journalist, James was trained for Holy Orders at Westcott House in Cambridge where he studied theology ministry and mission. Ordained deacon in 2019 and priest in 2020, James served his curacy at Aldeburgh on the east coast. James’ interests include liturgy, music and church history as well as community engagement. In his spare time James enjoys museums, current affairs, theatre and history. James will split his role as Associate Priest between St Mary’s Barnes and St Michael & All Angels and looks forward to being part of the worshipping and other communities in Barnes. 

James says ‘To be a priest is many things – not least to be selfless and vulnerable and by doing so to point others towards trusting in God in their lives – no easy task in a world where we habitually eschew the need for the spiritual, dismiss with ease the religious, and worship instead self and materialism. I think we are all spiritual beings, all influenced by the metaphysical and we are all, in the end, God’s creatures – indeed we are interconnected and intertwined by love and God’s grace far more than we are by aeroplane travel or football or having a mortgage, we just don’t often recognise it, largely I think, because belief in God challenges us to change.

Yet to begin to see the world in this way removes much of the fear we all experience. To have a faith means to negate fear and live in hope. It is this faith I hope to keep and, maybe even pass on, as I continue my journey.”