Please find below profiles of all our deacons for 2026. The Ember Card for ordinations this year can be found here.
Deacons 2026
Alison Grant
Alison lives in Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield, and is married with two children aged 11 and 13. She previously worked for ITV as an associate producer and at times, an undercover reporter.
Dave Edwards
Dave is married to Jo. They have three grown up children and live in Leeds. Dave worked in and around parliament on family policy with charities and academics. He first sensed a calling as a child and has expressed this in different church and work ministries.
Joanna Leidenhag
Joanna Leidenhag is excited to serve as Assistant Curate (SSM) at St John’s Farsley, having completed two years of part-time training at St Hild Theological College.
Juliet Balme
Juliet Balme trained for Ordination at St Hild’s College, Mirfield. She spent several cherished years on placement at St John’s, Sharow, including organising Children’s Holiday club weeks, and leading regular Art & Spirituality Day Retreats using her Colouring Calm drawings; then time at St Peter’s, Harrogate, where she is looking forward to serving her Curacy.
Kathleen Pullan
I have been training full-time at Cranmer Hall, Durham and will be moving to Ossett after four years in the Northeast (one as a Ministry Experience Volunteer). I am moving to an open evangelical church in the towns of Ossett and Gawthrope.
Megan Barford
Megan is thrilled about finding out what God is up to and working with the community to share the good news of Christ in the Benefice of Todmorden with Cornholme and Walsden, where they will serve their curacy. Megan has been preparing for ordination at Emmanuel Theological College, alongside a contextual placement at St Stephen’s Lindley.
Megan Thornton
Hi I’m Megan. I am looking forward to serving the people of Horbury Junction, Middlestown, Overton and Netherton as Assistant Curate under the care of Revd Hannah Hobday.
Sam Clayton
Sam Clayton will be serving her curacy in the parishes of St Chad's, St Michael's and All Hallow's in the Headingley and All Hallow's Team in the Leeds Episcopal Area. Sam is married to Chris and they have two sons, Zander and Dan.
Sarah Hobbs
Sarah Hobbs is excited to be spending her curacy in the United Parish of Upper Nidderdale, having been sent for training from Ripon Cathedral. While studying part-time at St Hild over the past three years, she discovered a deep love for rural ministry and is delighted to be serving alongside the people of this beautiful parish.
Siaa Mathurin
It is a real privilege to introduce myself as I prepare for ordination as a deacon at Bradford Cathedral by the Diocesan Bishop. I am Siaa-Liane—though my deepest identity is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, whom I seek to follow faithfully and intentionally.
