Contacts
Our Rector. Iain Lothian (rector(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Although from Scottish roots, Iain was born in New Delhi, India and has worked in England for most of his life, attempting to instil the joys of Shakespeare and poetry in students. He was ordained in Sheffield in 2005, where his most recent post has involved bringing an Anglican and Methodist church together. His experience of working in India, on placement, challenged his faith greatly and he has found wisdom in Creation Spirituality, Liberation Theology and the Contemplative tradition of Christianity.
He is married to Fiona, who works with refugees, as a psychotherapist and has two sons, one of whom has just graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds whilst the other is studying History at Manchester University. In his spare time Iain enjoys theatre, cinema, cycling and watching pretty much anything involving a ball.
Associate Priest. Jo Henderson (revjohenderson(at)gmail.com)
Jo has had a lifetimes involvement in church life, starting in her local church in New Malden Surrey, and then overseas in Greece, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where she was ordained in 2012. She served as curate and Associate Priest in Abu Dhabi and after returning to the UK as a Team Vicar in the Diocese of Leeds. She has a particular interest in working with families and young people, and through her experience living abroad, in building and encouraging Inter-faith relationships.
Jo is married to Ralph, who is a Civil Engineer managing international infrastructure projects. They have two sons, both of whom now live in the UK, one in Edinburgh and one in Alnwick. Jo enjoys anything creative, including the arts, theatre, and embroidery.
Community and Facilities Administrator. Sally Fraser (sally(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Sally moved from Yorkshire to Edinburgh in 2001, and to Leith in 2007 and feels very rooted in the local community. She trained in Pastoral Ministry and Leadership with the Loyola institute and University of Chicago, and has worked in outreach and chaplaincy as well as church administration in the past. She is very much influenced by the Ignatian tradition and was based in the Catholic church for many years, developing a passion for all things ecumenical.
She has made her home at St James after being drawn to the inclusivity and creativity, and the music which she loves being involved in. She also values her connection with the L'arche Community, where her husband Hugh works as a carer. Sally is mum to two teenagers, and will be working part-time at St James whilst studying Divinity at New College.
Chair of Vestry. Frank Strang (vestrychair(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Frank hails from Glasgow and now lives with his wife Elea and daughter Hannah in Leith. From the moment they came through the door, they have loved the informality and generous spirit of St James. Frank is clinging on as a civil servant and enjoys the challenge of trying to run vestry business both efficiently and in a way which leaves space for us to hear what God might be saying – not always an easy mix! He hasn’t yet worked out whether his “humour” is an asset or a hindrance in that endeavour..
Treasurer. Charles Guthrie (treasurer(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Charles comes from Glasgow and has moved around in Scotland and England before settling in Edinburgh in 2005. He is married to Amanda and they began attending St James in the early twenty teens.
Charles has worked as a statistician and information analyst/manager in various jobs in the public sector. Being a numbers person should be a good asset in the treasurer's post.
Other interests include music, singing, walking, art appreciation, coin collecting and real ale!
Secretary. Elspeth/Cam Grant (secretary(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Elspeth/Cam is Vestry secretary (for the second time) and has been a member of St James’ for many years and is also part of the Music Group and the Inclusion Group. Although retired now, past employment has been as a teacher and also a learning assistant in Primary schools, and a nursing assistant.
Director of communications. Richard Adams (webadmin(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)
Having happily retired from his technology role in the private sector a few years ago, Richard now manages our website & email services, internal and external electronic communications and web based colaborative tools. He also enjoys being part of the St James' music group. He is married to Naomi who supports adults with learning dissabilities. Their three children are Fern, Euan and Kiara.
St James Protecting Vulnerable People contact. (PVG[at]stjamesleith.org.uk)
The Scottish Episcopal Church recognises the special status of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
They are to be respected as persons in their own right, created and loved by God. We, therefore, commit ourselves to take all steps within our power to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
There is a general email address for the church which is: churchoffice(at)stjamesleith.org.uk
(Submissions for the weekly church newsletter should be sent to newsletter(at)stjamesleith.org.uk)