Meet Michael Power who has been appointed as Assistant Curate in the Parishes of St Mary with St Peter, and St Stephen and All Martyrs, Oldham, from summer 2027. Please pray for Mike during his final year of training at The College of the Resurrection, Mirfield; we look forward to welcoming him to Oldham after his Ordination as a Deacon at Manchester Cathedral on 27th June 2027.

"My name is Michael Power, though I usually go by Mike. I’m from the Diocese of Manchester and have spent the past few years training for ordained ministry at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.
Before beginning my theological training, I studied music at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2014 to 2018. I then worked as a self-employed musician, playing in wedding bands, performing at events and working aboard cruise ships. I play bass guitar, piano, and—at a stretch!—the organ.
Following a powerful conversion experience in 2018, I embraced Christian faith for myself and began attending Emmanuel Church, in the parish of St James and Emmanuel, Manchester. There I started to learn about and explore my newfound faith. During the COVID-19 pandemic, initially at the prompting of one of the priests at my church, I began to discern a call to ordained ministry. Since that first spark, my calling has grown into a confident, committed and profound sense of direction.
Alongside my deep passion for music, I enjoy cooking, reading theology and philosophy, keeping fit at the gym and, of course, coffee!
I am excited to begin this next stage of my journey with Daniel and everyone across the parishes of the benefice. I hope to learn a great deal about God and God’s purposes through the giving and receiving of our shared life together. I am particularly looking forward to getting stuck into the many different aspects of the Church’s life in Oldham and discovering more about the people and communities that make it such a rich and engaging place.
With God’s blessing, and all being well, I shall be with you in the near future. Your prayers as I prepare to join you would be greatly appreciated."

"My name is Michael Power, though I usually go by Mike. I’m from the Diocese of Manchester and have spent the past few years training for ordained ministry at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.
Before beginning my theological training, I studied music at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2014 to 2018. I then worked as a self-employed musician, playing in wedding bands, performing at events and working aboard cruise ships. I play bass guitar, piano, and—at a stretch!—the organ.
Following a powerful conversion experience in 2018, I embraced Christian faith for myself and began attending Emmanuel Church, in the parish of St James and Emmanuel, Manchester. There I started to learn about and explore my newfound faith. During the COVID-19 pandemic, initially at the prompting of one of the priests at my church, I began to discern a call to ordained ministry. Since that first spark, my calling has grown into a confident, committed and profound sense of direction.
Alongside my deep passion for music, I enjoy cooking, reading theology and philosophy, keeping fit at the gym and, of course, coffee!
I am excited to begin this next stage of my journey with Daniel and everyone across the parishes of the benefice. I hope to learn a great deal about God and God’s purposes through the giving and receiving of our shared life together. I am particularly looking forward to getting stuck into the many different aspects of the Church’s life in Oldham and discovering more about the people and communities that make it such a rich and engaging place.
With God’s blessing, and all being well, I shall be with you in the near future. Your prayers as I prepare to join you would be greatly appreciated."