Published on: 17/03/2026
Bishop Leah has been in post for half a year now in the Diocese of Sheffield, and she’s been sharing the joys of the job and hopes for the future as she reflects on the first steps of her new ministry.
Bishop Leah was consecrated at York Minster on Tuesday 16 September by the Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell, before being installed on Saturday 20 September at Sheffield Cathedral.
We sat down for a chat with Bishop Leah and asked her about the first half year of her role as Bishop of Doncaster:
How have you found your first six months as Bishop of Doncaster?
The first six months, like any new post, have been quite a steep learning curve but it has been a real joy and a privilege. This is my first itinerant ministry, and that has been a blessing I didn’t expect (having spent almost 30 years being rooted in singular worshipping communities as a lay and ordained minister). I’ve been struck by the joy I have found in the diversity of God’s Church in the Diocese of Sheffield, the warmth of the welcome I’ve received, the creativity, commitment, and compassion of leaders in churches, chaplaincies, and schools, as well as in the Church House teams.
What’s it like living in Doncaster?
It’s been lovely settling into Doncaster. There’s a strong sense of community here and a real pride in the city and its surrounding villages – my first Bishop’s Breakfast was a fabulous opportunity to meet a significant group of people who are really invested through statutory, civic, charity and voluntary organisations. There was fun, a focus on how we partner for the common good and a good deal of energy for what investment in the local communities will bring both through Pride and Place funding and our own Love Doncaster project funded by SMMIB. I’ve enjoyed discovering the area, visiting the museum, joining the library, discovering new spots to have a good gluten-free lunch and a good walk.
What have you enjoyed the most about being a bishop?
The best part has been meeting people and hearing their stories of faith. This has been a particular privilege with those discerning God’s call to ministry, ordinands, and curates. This is a responsibility I hold in my role as the Sponsoring Bishop in our Diocese. Vocation or Calling, is a part of the life of every Christian Disciple, and so these conversations pop up everywhere – from spending time with children and young people in our schools, to spending the day at the Breathe Deep Youth event, to chats over coffee on Sundays across the Diocese. I have always enjoyed seeing people try new things and follow their God-given Calling but the canvas on which I now see this is much bigger – and so is my joy in what God can do when people are faithful, obedient and courageous in saying ‘Yes’ to his call.
This Summer you will be ordaining people for the first time. How are you feeling about the next few months?
I’m really looking forward to it. Ordinations are such a special moment in the life of the church – for those being ordained, for their families and churches, and for the wider community. It’s a great responsibility but also a great joy to take part in that moment and to pray for and send people out into ministry. I am excited about the next few months, partly because I feel like I’m starting to ‘find my feet’ but also because there are new people and places in the diary, new tasks, and responsibilities (like ordinations) to grow into.
What are your hopes for 2026 in the Diocese of Sheffield?
I would highlight two areas in response to what I have seen and heard in the Diocese so far: Firstly, that the Young Leaders Community would continue to grow. Empowering Young People to be the church now, in the places they live and learn is something the church has grappled with, and not done well, for too long. Thanks be to God for Rachel and the team in their work, but I hope that more people in the Diocese will come to pray, champion and support the place of Young People in the local church by encouraging them to be part of the Community that will help equip them. Secondly, that all of God’s people would hear his voice and respond to his Call for them – to discipleship, service in their communities and workplaces, and to lay and ordained ministries. Being called, loved, and known by God in Jesus is our most precious gift. This is something I think this Diocese does well in lots of contexts – but I hope that we will find a renewed energy in our desire to make new and more missional disciples and whilst this is my heart’s desire for the whole Diocese, it is my particular hope that the small and beautiful signs of this I have witnessed in smaller churches and those in vacancy would continue to grow. God is doing so much, or as Mr Beaver says, ‘Aslan is on the move!’ – my list of hopes is continually growing!
