Meet the team

We are made up of a wide church family who are committed and serve in many different ways. Below are just a few people you can put faces to more easily.

     
Ben 2   Wendy
Reverend Ben Thorndike
Vicar


It is a joy to be part of Tonbridge Parish Church family. I have a passion for mission and discipleship, and a focus on strengthening the work of the church so that it can reach out into the community - see our parish vision here! Together with my family, I am excited to serve the Lord Jesus together with those across the churches and share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus with the wider parish and beyond. I am also Secretary for the Rochester Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship (RDEF) and a member of its committee.

I trained at Oak Hill Theological College, and before working in church ministry taught Business Studies and Economics at a large secondary school in Cambridge. In my spare time I enjoy films and reading, open water swimming and I am a keen fly fisherman. I am married to Jane, and we have three school-age children. 
 

Contact Ben on:
01732 770962 x23
ben@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
  Reverend Wendy Carr
Associate Vicar


As the Associate Vicar I have the privilege of walking with people through life and encouraging them on their journeying with Jesus. I have a particular heart for pastoral ministry and outreach and community engagement.

Before training for ministry at Ridley Hall in Cambridge I worked with children and families, my passion was to see children grow in confidence, to love life and to reach their full potential. Family life includes my husband Jason and our two children. We love the outdoors and exploring the countryside walking in and around Kent with our Labrador.


Contact Wendy on: 01732 355200
wendy@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
     
Alyson   vacancy-silhouette
Alyson Bleakley
Senior Minister for Families


It is exciting to be part of the team, with the role of strategic oversight for our ministry to youth, children and families. I have a passion for seeing young people and families become rooted in Jesus, as well as reaching out to those who don't know Him yet. I have been a UCCF Relay Worker, and also have a teaching background, so am hoping the Lord will use some of those skills in this new role!

It has been a joy for my husband John and I to be part of the church family for twenty years and bring up our three children here. Outside of loving time with my now quite grown up family, I enjoy walking, reading and having coffee with anyone who is willing.

Contact Alyson on: 01732 770962 x22
alyson.bleakley@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
  CURRENTLY VACANT
Youth & Children's Minister


 
     
Sally
 
   
Sally Musson
Licensed Lay Minister


I work as a full-time Licenced Lay Minister (LLM) in the Parish of St Peter & St Paul. This involves preaching, leading worship, taking funerals, pastoral visits and a leadership role at St Saviour's Church. 

Beyond the Parish, I am a volunteer on the chaplaincy team at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Secretary to the Tonbridge Deanery Synod.

Contact Sally on: 07713 352017
mussonsally@btinternet.com
   
     
Jane H   Jane T
Jane Higgs
Parish Administrator & Vicar's PA


As a member of the staff team it is a privilege to serve and contribute to the life of our church family, a part of which I have been since childhood. My current role is as Vicar's PA, and I am also part of the administration team, dealing with wider parish administration such as bookings for use of the church buildings, and enquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals.

With my husband Steve, who runs a local business, I worship at St Philip’s. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, including our adult son – sharing over a cuppa, walking and theatre visits, also reading and catching up on recommended films!

Contact Jane Higgs on: 01732 770962 x24
(For specific matters for Vicar’s PA, dial x26)
jane.higgs@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk

Parish Office email:
parishoffice@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk       
  Jane Thorndike
Church Family Administrator


I work as part of the administration team to support the wider church family across the parish. This includes Sunday morning service planning, and communication and publicity across the churches.
 
I have served in a number of different churches over the years, with a focus on working with children and young people, and different aspects of church administration. Before that I was a primary school teacher. I enjoy time with my family – walking, cycling, crafts and board games with the children!

Contact Jane Thorndike on: 01732 770962 x24
jane.thorndike@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
     
vacancy-silhouette   andy
CURRENTLY VACANT
Finance Manager

 
  Andy Kirkpatrick
Treasurer


As Treasurer it is my responsibility to help oversee parish finances, alongside the team around me who bring their own experience and wisdom! I am a Qualified Accountant, currently working for a manufacturing business in Essex, where I have been for the last five years.

My wife Jane and I worship at St Philip's church. Do please feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer.

Above all, I trust that if we ask God to lead our lives, he does just that!

Contact Andy on: 01732 770962 x25
Andy-kirkpatrick@outlook.com
     
Paul   David
Paul White
Churchwarden

As one of the parish wardens, there are a variety of CofE legal and formal things to do, but there are also a number of unexpected and surprising matters to deal with.  However, the best way to describe my role is that I am there to support our clergy, staff and volunteers as they preach the Gospel in whatever way I can.

I am also the chair of our Mission Action Group, a small committee of parishioners that oversees the links to our mission partners and makes charitable donations on behalf of the parish. I am married to Ellerby and we have two sons, both of whom are studying at university.

Contact Paul on: paul@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
  David Balcombe
Churchwarden

In my role as a Churchwarden I seek to assist the Vicar and church family in the decisions and activities of the church as we work together to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
I am married to Wendy, and together we both share a love of music, along with the busy-ness of church and family life.

Contact David on: 01732 357734
davidbalcombe2015@gmail.com
     
Pam    
Pam Calvert
Parish Safeguarding Officer


With all members of the clergy, staff and wider team my role is to help uphold the Church of England safeguarding policies to help ensure our parish churches are safe, nurturing places for church life and worship.

Pam can be contacted in confidence about any safeguarding concern on: pso@tonbridgeparishchurch.org.uk
   
     
 
 
 

PCC

 

Electoral Roll 

The PCC, or Parochial Church Council, supports and advises the Vicar in the mission, worship and pastoral care of the Parish. It is also responsible for the finances of the Parish, and the care and maintenance of the buildings and contents in the Parish. The PCC is a Charity and its members are trustees of the Charity. The PCC and Vicar have a duty of care to ensure the safeguarding of the vulnerable in the church community.

The members of the PCC are the Clergy, Churchwardens and others elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.


 
  Sally Musson is our Electoral Roll officer.  Please contact her to check if you are on the Roll, or send applications to her. Application forms can be downloaded here and more information on the Electoral Roll can be found under Resources.

If you need to contact the Church please visit the Contact Us page.