In January 2026 we welcomed the Reverend Maria Lee to be our Minister.

She is a minister in the URC’s Bolton and Salford Missional Partnership.

I am Maria Lee. Some of you may already know that Barnabas Shin is my husband. Although we are married, we have different surnames, as Korean women traditionally keep their family name after marriage.

I have lived in the UK since 1999, and although I come from Korea, this country has become my second home. I originally trained as a social worker in Korea and later studied Pastoral Theology at Trinity College, Bristol. After working with families and young children in the NHS, God led me into community ministry within the United Reformed Church, where I first served as a Church Related Community Worker (trained at Northern College and awarded an MA from the University of Manchester) and later became an ordained minister (trained at Westminster College, Cambridge, and awarded a PGCert from Durham University). I am the first Korean woman to be ordained in the URC.

My passion is pastoral care and helping churches connect with their local communities so that together we can reflect God’s love in everyday life. Music is central to my spirituality, and I find renewal through walking and swimming. I will also become a grandmother this year, which is very exciting!

Cheerfully in Christ

Maria 

(Maria’s usual day off: Monday)