St Paul's Methodist
Church, Crawley
Woodfield Road, Crawley, W Sussex
RH10 8ER

Ministers:
Rev Gillian Baalham 01293 201426
Deacon Jenny Parnell 01293 664696

General enquiries ask.stpauls@gmail.com

Deacon

Deacon Jenny Parnell

May 2023

Hello, I’m Deacon Jenny Parnell, a diaconal minister in the Redhill and East Grinstead Circuit. Being a diaconal minister means that I am an ordained minister in the Methodist Church, and I am also a member of the Methodist Diaconal Order, a religious order within the Methodist Church.
I’m passionate about enabling people to explore their faith and to grow closer to God. It’s a huge privilege to encourage people in their lives and faith as we become rooted in Christ and seek to worship and serve God together. 

Before I entered full time ministry I lived and worked in North Cornwall.  After leaving school I worked in a nursing home. This was where I developed my love for pastoral care. I married as a teenager.  Whilst raising our children, three daughters and a son, I set up and ran toddler groups in the community. I was also a leader at the Church youth club and youth fellowship groups. Once my own children were all at school, I worked at a National Trust Museum where I led school workshops.
I enjoyed all these opportunities as well as the joy of leading worship as a local preacher.

On sensing the call to ordained ministry, I began the candidating process. I spent two years travelling each week between Cornwall and Birmingham as I began my training at the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham.

I began Circuit ministry in West Yorkshire in 2017. I continued my studies at Queen’s, completing a BA Degree in Theology, Ministry and Mission. I was ordained in 2019 in Birmingham and became a full member of the Methodist Diaconal Order.

I moved to this Circuit in 2021. I live in Crawley but minister at St Paul’s Methodist Church Crawley, Horley Methodist Church, and Redhill Methodist Church as well as working across the Circuit as needed. As well as my ministry I enjoy art and being creative. I also love visiting museums, art galleries and historic buildings. Spending time with family and friends is also something that I look forward to. Two of our children continue to live in Cornwall and two are now living in the North of the country, so time spent with them is valued. We also have three gorgeous grandsons.

I look forward to spending time getting to know you all better and living and working amongst and with you and with God as we journey on together.

Deacon Jenny Parnell  01293 664696  jenny.parnell@methodist.org.uk

 

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