The Rev’d Canon Alex Jensen

Alexander Jensen became Principal in January 2016. As a native of Germany, Alex studied theology at the universities of Tübingen, Durham and Oxford. He served as a parish priest in Stockton-on-Tees and became Lecturer in Divinity at the Church of Ireland Theological College with Trinity College, Dublin. From there he moved to western Australia in 2005 to take up the position of Lecturer (from 2008 Senior Lecturer) in Systematic Theology at Murdoch University with Perth Theological Hall in Perth, Western Australia. From 2006 to 2012 Alex served as Principal of the Theological Hall. Alex’s PhD was in New Testament (hermeneutics and John’s Gospel), his teaching and most publications are in the area of systematic theology. His scholarly interests lie in theological hermeneutics, doctrine of God, Christology and secularisation. His publications include: Divine Presence as Activity and the Incarnation: Revisiting Chalcedonian Christology (Routledge, 2024), Divine Providence and Human Agency: Trinity, Creation and Freedom (Ashgate, 2014), Theological Hermeneutics (SCM, 2007) and John’s Gospel as Witness: The Development of the early Christian Language of Faith (Ashgate, 2004). At the same time Alex has a great passion for teaching and was awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: For innovative and holistic approaches to curriculum design and teaching in response to pedagogical challenges particular to Theology by the Australian Teaching and Learning Council in 2011. Alex is Honorary Canon of Ely Cathedral.

The Rev’d Lucy Dallas

Lucy is Director of Pastoral Studies and Vice-Principal. Lucy holds first-class degrees in English Literature and Theology from the Universities of Kent and Oxford respectively, and a Master of Studies degree in New Testament Theology from the University of Oxford. Lucy is undertaking part-time doctoral research at the University of East Anglia on the role of the Bible in the book of Margery Kempe. After qualifying as a teacher, Lucy taught English Literature in Hertfordshire schools and in a Christian missionary school in south east Asia. Lucy is a member of the British and Irish Association of Practical Theologians (BIAPT), sits on the Common Awards Management Board and on a group advising on online and blended learning across the Church of England. Her interests include Christian spirituality, interfaith engagement and the pastoral care of people with long-term illnesses. A lifelong Anglican, Lucy was ordained in 2012 and has served as a curate and vicar in the diocese of St Albans. Lucy lives in Norwich where she ministers as part of an urban multi-parish benefice.

The Rev’d Charles Read

Charles is Director of Liturgy and Worship and is also Director of LLM training for Norwich diocese. He was a Reader (LLM) in Manchester diocese while teaching RE in a secondary school. Originally from Staffordshire, he read Theology at Manchester University, specialising in Liturgy and Old Testament. After training for ordination in Nottingham, Charles returned to Manchester to serve in a variety of churches and also to teach ministry students including five years as visiting lecturer at the Elim Bible College. In 1999 he became lecturer in liturgy and doctrine at St John’s College, Durham. moving in 2007 to be Vice Principal of the Norwich Ministry Course. Charles researched the early history of daily prayer for his MPhil, has nearly finished a PhD on gender inclusive language in worship and has published widely on aspects of worship. He has been a member of General Synod, helped write the eucharistic prayers in Common Worship and can list all the James Bond films almost in order. 

Dr Rebecca Watson

Rebecca Watson is half-time Director of Studies. She has previously worked at regional ministry training courses in the northwest and Yorkshire, as well as having been Director of Studies at ERMC twice. Rebecca began her academic studies in Oxford, with a BA and DPhil, and a spell in Durham where she took an MA. She has also held research posts at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge and at Derby University, in both cases with an interdisciplinary focus. Her main interest is in the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible. Her research centres on the Bible and Ecology (especially in relation to the sea), the Psalms (often from a psychological perspective) and the relation between Canaanite and Israelite religion. Rebecca lives near Market Harborough in a multi-parish benefice where her husband is vicar. She has two children, two dogs and two cats.

The Rev’d John Wigfield

John Wigfield is Director Contextual Education and Tutor in Mission and Evangelism. John holds an MPhil in Old Testament (University of Nottingham), an MA in Aspects of Christian Missiology (Open University) and is doing research into the fourth mark of mission for a PhD under the supervision of Professor Douglas Davies and Professor Mike Higton (University of Durham). He is ERMC’s Director of Contextual Education and Tutor in Mission & Evangelism having previously initiated and developed The Contextual Pathway for full-time ordinands in a similar role whilst at Yorkshire Ministry Course. Initially a Modern Languages teacher, he also has diverse inter-cultural mission experience, having taught English in rural Zimbabwe as a volunteer with a lay-Catholic mission society, and served with The South American Mission Society as Theological Consultant for several Latin American Anglican dioceses, following theological education work in Chile. A cradle Anglican, John was recently ordained and is serving a non-stipendiary curacy in the diocese of Norwich, complementing his full-time role with ERMC. Married to Angela, they have three grown up children, and enjoy the great outdoors and European travel.

Cathy Michell

Cathy Michell is one of two chaplains who together serve the ERMC community. She lives in central Cambridge with Stuart her partner of many years but worships at a Methodist/Anglican LEP in a small village outside the city. She was born in Leicester and is a graduate of Lancaster and Cambridge universities where her dissertation focused on the strange history of RE in twentieth century state schools. She has been a student and teacher of Religious Studies in schools and for the Open University for most of her working life and continues to teach for the U3A and wherever she is invited now that she’s retired. She is particularly interested in the relationship of Christianity to other world religions, particularly Hinduism. She has worked over many years for a variety of ministerial and adult education training institutions and in-service training schemes, both Anglican and Methodist. She is an enthusiastically ecumenical Methodist Local Preacher who greatly enjoys creating and leading acts of worship. She has always been drawn to pastoral listening, care and conversation and so is also a qualified spiritual director and supervisor. She loves gardening, feeding guests, visiting friends, music, poetry and art and is at present trying to learn how to ‘write’ icons. She has three adult children and four grandchildren at the last count.

The Rev’d Dr Stephen Burge

Stephen Burge is one of our chaplains. He is a Self-Supporting Minister, working during the week as an academic in Islamic Studies. He is a former student of ERMC and is now serving as Assistant Minister (SSM) at St. Mary’s Eaton Bray with Edlesborough. Stephen’s academic life began with an MA in Arabic and Hebrew from St. Andrews, followed by Master’s and Doctoral studies in Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. His working week is spent at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where he specialises in the study of the Qur’an and its interpretive traditions, comparative religion, ritual theory, hermeneutics and angelology. His publications include Angels in Islam (2012), The Prophet Muhammad: Islam and the Divine Message (2020), and the edited volume The Meaning of the Word: Lexicology and Qur’anic Exegesis (2015).  He is also Islam editor for the Encyclopaedia of the Bible and its Reception.

The Rev’d Rachel Simons

Having studied with ERMC Rachel was ordained in 2018 and became our Academic Registrar.  She is also Associate Minister (SSM) at St Peter de Merton, Bedford where she can be found most Thursdays and Sundays.  Prior to joining ERMC Rachel worked for the Employment Tribunals as part of the Judicial training team.  She has been a line dancer for 28 years and took up Fitsteps 3 years ago, always has several books on the go and has recently learnt to crochet.

Rebecca Simms

Rebecca Simms is our Administrator. She has been employed in and around Cambridge for over 30 years, starting her career at the Abbey National Building Society (now Santander) as a Typist/Cashier/Clerk. Immediately prior to joining ERMC Rebecca spent 9 years as a PA in Business Development Operations at AstraZeneca. In her spare time Rebecca enjoys Pilates, keep fit classes, reading and nature, as well as taking driving trips in the 1937 Austin 7 car her husband has restored.

Julie Sanderson

Julie Sanderson is our Academic Administrator. She joined ERMC for two days a week in 2017, after previously working as the Administrator at Churchill Archives Centre and before that as School Secretary at Morley Memorial School in Cambridge.  She lives near the city centre and is married to Ian. They have two daughters and six grandchildren, who they love meeting up with. Julie enjoys making friends with internationals and walking in the countryside.

Sarah Wicks

Sarah Wicks is our Study Skills and SpLD Support Tutor. With nearly two decades of experience in education, I am a skilled Specialist Teacher Assessor. Throughout my career, I have taught students of all levels and am deeply committed to delivering exceptional education services.

As a fully qualified English teacher, Accredited Member of the British Dyslexia Association, Professional Member of PATOSS, and qualified SENDCO, I possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

My academic background includes master’s degrees in psychology and education, which means writing in different formats and styles to ensure that my learning is conveyed effectively. One of my greatest passions is reading, and I take great pleasure in reading widely and deeply so that whatever subject I need to support, I have knowledge and understanding ready to develop.

Centre Leads

The Rev’d Simon Moore

Rev’d Simon Moore is Centre Leader for the St Albans Centre / Growing Vocations and Lay Ministry Officer for St Albans Diocese After a career in teaching that took him into overseas mission in Kenya and Zimbabwe, Simon was ordained over 20 years ago. He has served in two dioceses, five jobs and 10 churches. Since 2010 he has job shared the vicar role with his wife Louise, at present ministering to three parishes in Central Bedfordshire. Last year he began a Diocesan job share role. He has three daughters, two grandsons and enjoys getting lost running, travel, losing golf balls and searching for the perfect pie! There is nothing he enjoys more than training and encouraging people to discover their potential. Simon studied Geography at Sheffield University and then took a PGCE. He taught in the UK, Kenya and Zimbabwe, studied at All Nations Christian College (Dip Miss) and St John’s College Nottingham where he did an MA in Theology and a Dip Min. Subsequent to ordination, Simon trained as a Pastoral Supervisor and also worked for over 10 years as a trainer in developing speaking and preaching skills for colleges, charities, churches and individuals.

Niamh Colbrook

Niamh Colbrook is Lay Development Officer for the Diocese of Ely. Prior to taking on this role, she studied for her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on theological anthropology, and particularly theological engagements with mental health issues. Alongside her studies, Niamh has taught a range of topics within theology and ethics. She is passionate about adult education and the ways in which theological study can enrich faith and ministry.

Charles Read is the Centre Leader for Norwich, see above.

Associate Tutors

  • Rev’d Ysmena Pentelow – Old Testament
  • Florence O’Taylor – Spirituality
  • Rev’d Dr Donald McFadyen – Practical Theology and Doctrine
  • Rev’d Dr Jeremy Follett – Practical Theology and Leadership
  • Rev’d Dr David Heywood – Adult Education
  • Rev’d Coryn Stanforth – Practical Theology and Church History
  • Ruth Dennigan – Practical Theology
  • Rev’d Philip Lockley – Church History
  • Dr Sophie Murray – Church History
  • Rev’d Rob Marshall – Preaching
  • Rev’d Canon Kevin Walton – New Testament
  • Dr Julia Snyder – New Testament
  • Jamie Worthington – New Testament
  • Dr Annalisa Wilson – New Testament
  • Rev’d Canon Megan Daffern – Old Testament and Hebrew
  • Rev’d Nick Garrard – Spirituality
  • Rev’d Dr Alec Corio – Christian Worship
  • Rev’d Christie Gilfeather – Old Testament
  • Niamh Colbrook – Ethics
  • The Rev’d Dr Jonathan Halliwell – Greek
  • The Rev’d Iain Lane – Church History and Doctrine