Simeon Mitchell

Simeon Mitchell works as the Secretary for Church and Society in the United Reformed Church – a partner in the Joint Public Issues Team.

Simeon grew up in Loughborough. His family was very active in the local Methodist church, and he explains, in this extract, that, ‘Church stuff was about what you did with your life as well as the Worship stuff on Sundays’.

Faith growing up  1.00′

After school, Simeon went to the University of York to study history and politics. He became very interested in the role of religion in history and did a dissertation on Christian Socialism in the late 19^th Century. He also threw himself into student societies including campaigning groups and ‘Meth-Ang’ – the Methodist Anglican Society.

After leaving, Simeon spent a ‘mind and life-broadening’ year in Manchester as a volunteer working on social housing projects and in a homeless hostel. Here he talks about those experiences.

Community volunteering  1.31′

Simeon’s first job was with the Fair Trade Foundation in London. He joined the Hinde Street Methodist Church which he describes as ‘a spiritual home’, full of likeminded young professional people – ‘a really interesting place to be’. Simeon started training to preach. He didn’t find it easy but says he was blessed with a wonderful cohort of fellow trainees.

Simeon moved to Christian Aid – a big step up and it exposed him to opportunities, projects and people all over the world.

Zambia 1.24′

Simeon married Jenny (who he had met at Hinde Street). She got a job at Christian Aid in Oxford, so they decided to move to the city and joined the Wesley Memorial. Early on he was asked to chair the Worship Action Group and got involved in choral singing.

Simeon and Jenny have three children and, in this extract,, he explains that it is important to them that faith is part of family life, not just something you don on Sundays.

Family life and church  1.56′