The Living Well consists of a team of a lead chaplain, 2 assistant chaplains, an administrator, trustees, a wider team of volunteers and our Patron, Bishop Rose.
The chaplaincy Team:
Rev Stefan Thomas is the lead chaplain at The Living Well.
It might be of interest to note that Stefan was not born a priest. His path of discernment was more like Jonah doing a ‘runner’ but as we know, God has a habit of catching up with us.
With a career in law enforcement both here and abroad and teaching at secondary level Stefan found himself continuing his discernment to ordained ministry so that he was ordained in Canterbury Cathedral in 2010 (same year group as his predecessor). Ministry experience has included working in coastal urban settings and pioneering a School Chaplain’s role in a state school, a continuing role as Chaplain to the Army Cadets, being Area Dean and his last post was as Rector in the wonderful rural benefice of Barham Downs with Adisham & Aylesham.
Stefan’s last ministry led him to form a dedicated pastoral care team and a team to pastor to adults with mental health issues and to those who live on the edge of society. He is passionate to see a greater awareness of Christ’s presence among us in a prayerful ministry promoted by all who love God; where body-and-soul-harmony is essential for human flourishing.
Stefan has been blessed to be supported by his wife, Andrea who for many years as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner has helped to bring healing through her vocation in the NHS. Along the way they have had two wonderful children and also two young grandchildren who bring them much joy and happiness.
Stefan enjoys reading, music and poetry, the beauty of the natural world and the stars above and occasionally when on his bike likes to feel the wind in his hair ……
Stefan knows that it is both a privilege and a gift to be called to the post of Lead Chaplain, but also recognises that there is a lot to learn from the wider community that makes up The Living Well.
Ray Horton is an Assistant Chaplain of The Living Well. He has lived locally all his life, and became a Christian in his late teens. He is married with two children and four grandchildren. Ray worked for Pfizer for many years, taking a small break to be a teacher, but soon returning to Pfizer, from which he retired in 2015. He has been involved in a local church for many years particularly using his gift as a musician to help lead worship. Ray broadened his ministry and his own spiritual development within the church through the leading of home and study groups, and Alpha courses.
Since retiring Ray took a break to seek God for future direction and found himself in Wales at a Christian retreat centre where he received training in their prayer and blessing ministry. Also, in Wales Ray was on the leadership team for a small group that led a worship and prayer ministry. In addition, Ray also felt led to undertake a formal study of Theology, and to lead a local mid-week congregation.
Ray is excited about this next step of his journey to serve at The Living Well. He is looking forward to sharing God’s love and blessing with those who come to receive God’s healing and wholeness for their lives.
Helen Jones is an assistant chaplain of The Living Well. Helen is a committed Christian who was brought up in the rural church. Now she worships at St Alphege Seasalter, where she helps with leading services and intercessions. She is a volunteer street pastor and regularly goes out on patrol with the team in Canterbury. She lives in a village near Faversham with her grown up children and an overweight cat called Rodney.
‘I’m really looking forward to being a part of the team at The Living Well. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to journey alongside people who are seeking comfort and healing from our Lord.’
The Trustees of the Living Well:
Mr George White – Chair
Mrs Sally Lees
The Reverend Canon Peter Ingrams
Mr Paul Willett
The Venerable Estella Last, Archdeacon of Maidstone
Canon Dr Quentin Roper
The Reverend Canon Dr Steve Lillicrap
The Patron of The Living Well:
The Rt. Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury.
The Living Well Policies are found here.
Our Vision & Values are found here.
Our Data Consent Form is found here, please fill in and send it back to us via email.
Our team notes are here.