The Vicar - Paul Deakin
I was ordained as a priest in 2014 after a long career in Engineering Design in the Aircraft and Automotive Sectors. I came to St Cross in May 2016 and I am very happy here. Married to Angela, we have four grown up sons who are all making their way in life through varied careers. I have always enjoyed serving people, primarily through Church youth work and Scouting, but as my family grew up I realised Christ was calling me to serve in a new way. I left Bentley Motors Car Design in 2011 to train residentially for the priesthood through Mirfield College of the Resurrection. This is a monastic community in West Yorkshire, and whilst there I studied a Christian Theology Degree through Sheffield University. My interests have changed in recent years but I have always loved the outdoors and the beauty of the world in which we live. I am also an avid Stockport County fan as they are my home town team. I enjoy spending time with my wife and family and taking a supportive interest in all that they do.
The Curate - Mike Duncombe
I was recently ordained as a Deacon at Chester and joined St Cross as the Curate where I will continue my training and formation for my future ministry as a priest. I retired in 2022 from a long career in IT and have spent the last twenty years of that career working on smart card ticketing systems with local authorities. I live in Hale with my wife Sally and we have three grown up sons.
I didn't always follow God's call - far from it! I was one of God's more wilful children and spent decades trying to ignore him. In 2003, as a repentant sinner, I turned to him; God transformed my life and in 2017 he started nudging me towards the priesthood (I remember the occasion very clearly) and I entered my time of theological training in 2023, and spent a two year placement at All Saints, Hale Barns, whilst studying at Emmanuel Training College.
I am so pleased to have come to St Cross Knutsford for the next stage of my journey and look forward to serving the people of the parish in my curacy here.
Mike was formally welcomed to St Cross on Sunday July 6th where we marked the occasion with a celebration cake and coffee.
Licensed Reader - Hilary Savage
I was licensed as a Reader/Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) in Worcester Cathedral in 2009. I am a retired teacher who, up until the end of September last year, lived in the West Midlands. I love reading, craft activities and music.
I am married to John and our move to Cheshire enabled us to be nearer to two of our three children ( though one is still in Birmingham) and four grandchildren, the latest who was born safely on the day they moved to Knutsford, which proved to be a very emotional day!
After completing a Bishop’s Certificate course I was pointed in the direction of some form of ministry and with much support and encouragement from her priest and the congregation, felt called to train as a Reader. Fulfilling LLM duties as well as teaching full time was not without its stresses and a particularly demanding time was helping the church through a three year vacancy which certainly proved to be a period of spiritual growth, following the retirement of a very much loved priest. I also has permission to officiate in North Devon in Exeter diocese where John and I have a small cottage.
It has proved to be a somewhat difficult time, during the constraints of the pandemic, to become known amongst the congregation at St Cross, Knutsford, but with the help of technology faces have been seen on screen, though not always recognised at a later date in the flesh behind a mask! I am keen to meet people properly and am greatly looking forward to being officially licensed to Chester diocese later in the year.
Licensed Reader - Allison Whiteley
I have lived in Knutsford and worshiped at St Cross since 1999. Prior to this I lived in Leeds where I was brought up and where I met and married my husband. I am thus an adopted Yorkshire woman having been born a Lancastrian. I am a self employed IT Contractor, working full time, and a mother to 2 wonderful daughters, My father was a Reader and some of my most earliest memories are of seeing him preach and leading the Sunday School. I too have led Sunday Schools, run youth groups and from 2011 to 2015 I was a Guide Leader. As my children have grown older I began to feel the call to serve God in a different way. I have served the church for over 30 years in many ways, including the writing of prayers. I felt God was calling me to expand my ministry and to find out more of the theology of my faith. My hope is that through my preaching, teaching and mission work I will help St Cross to grow and respond to the needs of the people of Knutsford.
