Hello! I’m Graeme, and I’m the Vicar of Marsden and Slaithwaite with East Scammonden.
I arrived here in August 2026, and it is a real privilege to have been called to serve these communities and the churches within them. One of the things I love about parish ministry is that being a vicar is about much more than what happens in church on a Sunday. It is about being part of the life of a place: celebrating with people in the good times, being alongside them when life is difficult, and helping our churches to be places of welcome, prayer, friendship and hope.
My own journey to ordination wasn’t exactly a straight line. I grew up within the Christian faith and have been part of the Church of England since childhood, but before becoming a priest I spent many years working in business. Eventually, a growing sense that God might be calling me to ordained ministry became rather difficult to ignore! I began training for ordination in 2020 at St. Hild College and, after being ordained, served my curacy in the Mirfield Team Parish here in West Yorkshire.
I believe the Church is at its best when it is deeply rooted in the communities it serves. Our churches should be places where people can explore faith and ask questions without feeling that they need to have everything worked out before they arrive. They should also be places where people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences can find a home, discover their gifts and play their part.
For me, the Christian faith is ultimately about the extraordinary generosity of God’s love: a love we receive as gift and are then called to share with one another and with the communities around us. At the heart of it all, of course, is Jesus Christ.
I’m still discovering Marsden, Slaithwaite and East Scammonden, and I hope I will be doing that for a very long time. There is a great deal to learn, and one of my priorities is simply to listen: to the people who worship in our churches, certainly, but also to the many people and organisations who make these communities what they are.
And please don’t think you need a particular reason to speak to the Vicar. If you see me around, do come and say hello. Whether you have been part of church all your life, haven’t crossed the threshold for years, aren’t quite sure what you believe, or simply want to introduce yourself, you will always be very welcome.
I look forward to meeting you.