Kate’s ministry is full of unexpected moments, from hospital chaplaincy to prayer in a Turkish hotel bar! Whilst her ministry in Sunday services is usually planned, other requests can come as surprises.
“I have learned to be open to the unexpected, trusting God to be with me.”
Kate remembers taking Communion in Intensive Care after a ten-hour operation - wearing gloves and an apron over her surplice – and on another occasion, praying beside a dying patient, when a naked man walked in!
Kate also spends several months a year in Turkey, where ministry looks very different. Once, still dripping from a swim, she prayed with a distraught man in a hotel bar. Another time, she led a funeral downriver to a burial site near ancient Christian ruins.
Her story shows that ministry calls for courage, flexibility, and deep trust in God’s presence — wherever life takes her.
Your support helps people like Kate step into their calling.
Every donation to the Diocese of Bristol helps open the door to training, formation, and ongoing support for LLMs across our region.
Thank you for reading Kate’s story. Come back tomorrow to open the next door and hear from another of our dedicated lay ministers.