Meet the Ministry Team
The Rev'd Kate McFarlane
Rector of the Benefice
Telephone: 01747 830 174
To see all of The Rev'd Kate's contact details, clck here.
Kate was installed as Rector of the Benefice in September 2021. She has previously served as an ecumenical school chaplain, a youth retreat leader and a Diocesan justice and peace fieldworker. Her husband, Stephen, teaches at, and her two sons attend, Shaftesbury School.
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The Rev'd June Lane
Assistant Priest
The Rev'd June writes: "Over twenty years ago, after a career teaching teenagers in South London, we decided to move somewhere safe and quiet for our Siamese cat family and also have a nice restful time! God was surely in that decision as in every other in my life, because suddenly I found myself facing the call to Ordained Ministry which I had been managing to ignore quite successfully. Now, I love what I do, I love God, I love people, I love being able to be with them at every stage of their lives. I feel I have been granted the most amazing privilege.
Our cats play a dominant role although we no longer Show or Breed. I am a voracious reader of fiction. I cannot imagine life without a book to hand. I am a passionate sewer, both fine embroidery and construction, hand and machine. If any time is left(!!), we have a very large garden to maintain".
To contact The Rev'd June, click here.
The Rev'd Mary Ridgewell
Assistant Priest
The Rev'd Mary is a retired chaplain from Guys Marsh Prison, who regularly leads our Pilgrim Service at St Mary's Church, East Knoyle, and helps out on an occasional basis with other services.
Jo Johnson
Licensed Lay Minister
Jo leads services at churches across the Benefice.
Bob Thackray
Bob leads services on a regular basis, particularly at St John's Church, Charlton.
Stuart Asbury
Lay Pastoral Assistant
Stuart leads services on a regular basis, particularly at St Leonard's Church, Semley.
Meet the Support Team
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Jo Johnson
Part Time Benefice Administrator
...Wonder Woman
Jo writes: "Several years ago I started working as the Benefice Administrator. I was also Licensed as a Reader in the Salisbury Diocese in September 2013. I am easily bored and so this job suits me wonderfully because no two days are ever the same! I'm juggling lots of balls – from taking calls for weddings, baptisms and funerals to making sure that all the people and bits of paper get to the right place at the right time.
I'm an avid reader (have just finished Val McDermid's modern take on Northanger Abbey) and crazy about dogs, horses and boats".
To contact Jo, click here.
Andrew Oatts
Benefice Treasurer
Christopher Sykes
Benefice Council Secretary