Anna Chaplain Kate is part of the Downs Benefice new vision

(from left to right) The Revd Marianne Foster, St Luke's and St Mark's Winchester, the Revd Kevin Rogers, Rector of the Down's Benefice, Anna Chaplain Kate Fletcher, the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen and Debbie Thrower, the Pioneer of Anna Chaplaincy

Pentecost Sunday, June 8, saw the commissioning at St Stephen’s, Sparsholt, of Kate Fletcher, the new Anna Chaplain for the Downs Benefice near Winchester.  The special Benefice service was attended by the Right Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, as well as by Debbie Thrower, who was the very first Anna Chaplain some fifteen years ago in the nearby town of Alton.

Bishop Philip praised Anna Chaplaincy's support and care for older people saying:

'This is wonderful work and we're going to be doing more of it.'

St Nicholas Church, Sparsholt, near Winchester

Kate Fletcher told the bishop, when asked how she was drawn to this ministry:

'Anna Chaplaincy found me!'

Kate says, 'I've always been a strong believer in community and inclusion. I trained as a social worker and found myself drawn to supporting older people and their families. Various jobs in Older Person's Mental Health teams - both here and in New Zealand - followed.

Taking time out of paid work to raise our four sons, I continued to volunteer with Girlguiding UK and Scouting and to support the community outreach of our church. I qualified as a learning support assistant in schools- working mainly in Key Stage 2. With the youngest two boys changing schools, and the older ones starting their teenage years and GCSE journey, I didn't rush to find new employment when my contract ended. 

Anna Chaplaincy wasn't something I had heard of six months ago. In trying to find out about Hospital Chaplaincy I came across information about Anna Chaplaincy on the diocesan web page. This seemed perfect for me. Two weeks later the job advert at St Catherine's (in the Downs' Benefice) was included in our church newsletter. God was clearly calling me to do something about it.' 

'This role is a blessing. Anna Chaplaincy is vital as our communities change and seem less connected with each other. People may be living longer but they are not always living well. Church is not just for those that follow or are the future. It is also those who have come before and those that are still here. All should be celebrated, and we have much to offer each other.'

Kate Fletcher

'I was delighted to see Kate commissioned,' says Debbie Thrower. ' What's more, for me, it was a bit of a trip down memory lane, as 35 years ago I lived in Sparsholt, a few yards away from the church in fact. This Pentecost Sunday's service, with the Bishop and his wife Ruth visiting, was a very happy occasion. I enjoyed welcoming Kate to the network, and also meeting up with old friends and past neighbours.'

The service which was followed by a community lunch in the nearby Memorial Hall, also saw the launch of the benefice's new strategy by Rector, the Revd Kevin Rogers. Under the banner: 'Love, Humility, Prayer and Grace'... local people are encouraged to 'make a difference' in their communities, through Worship, Discipleship, Leadership and Outreach.

In answer to 'How can I join in?' - 'Grow in a home group, Serve on a team, Give generously, Pray continually, Worship together and Share Jesus with others.'

---