Left: Rev'd Dan Harrison
The Reverend Daniel Harrison became Priest-in-Charge here in February 2009 after cutting his ministerial teeth during a curacy in Beckenham. Before that he trained for the priesthood at Westcott House in Cambridge, and before that he was a secondary school teacher for many years. As well as looking after St Mary’s, Woodnesborough, Dan has St James’s, Staple, and is Minister for Sandwich Schools. As part of that job, he is a Governor at Sandwich Technology School, and het gets in to the junior schools as well. When he’s not being the Vicar, Dan is a good amateur musician, a ‘cellist.
Right : Lighting Birthday candles. It is a tradition in the church that at the monthly family service all the children whose birthday falls in that month have a candle lit and the congregation sing Happy Birthday.
We are blessed in this church with having a very strong lay Ministry.
Donald and Hilary Baldwin are both Readers and take many of the funerals in the parish, offering follow-up bereavement counselling at what can be a particularly difficult time. They both take services in this parish and neighbouring parishes in the cluster.
Rob is supported by his wife Tessa who has just completed an ALM course specialising in pastoral care. She is also trained in Prayer Ministry. Besides this Tessa and Rob run a Bible Study group once a week which is well supported while Donald assisted by Hilary runs a parallel course in our sister Parish Staple.
Another active duo are Don Martin and his wife Rae. Don is an authorised lay minister, and has an active role in taking services in both parishes and they have the added responsibility of co-ordinating the benefice pastoral care team which offers both practical and spiritual support to anyone in need in the parishes. They also take regular services in the local retirements flats, and occasional Celtic services throughout the Deanery.
Rae also has just completed an ALM course specialising in the Prayer Ministry. There is a very strong Prayer Ministry in the benefice which is offered during all Eucharist Services, or after any service.