Rev. Ted Hurst has been appointed the new Priest-in-charge of the combined benefice of Holy Family Gravesend with St. Margaret Ifield. Introducing Rev. Ted Hurst.Hi – I am Ted Hurst, well really I’m Edward, but have been known as Ted since I was about 5 years old. Though more recently I get called Fr Ted. I have been married to Sylvie for 44years, we have three sons, Colin, Andrew and Karl and three grandsons Henry, Charlie and Philip [known as Pip].I have been working within the Church of England for over 35 years, but only ordained for 10 years. In that time I have held many different positions, some paid and some voluntary. I have worked with every age group, from crèche through to young people and adults; and I have held just about every post within the local church at some point: Churchwarden; Treasurer; PCC Secretary; Deanery Lay Chair; Children’s and Youth Worker; Lay Reader; floor sweeper, and chief cook and bottlewasher. I worked as ‘Children’s Ministry Adviser’ in Canterbury Diocese where I also trained as a Lay Reader. Whilst at ‘St Margaret of Antioch Church’, Lower Halstow, part of a Benefice of 6 Churches, I was focal minister there and regularly ministered across all 6 Churches. After Ordination I served my Curacy at ‘The Parish of South Gillingham’, a team ministry with 4 churches.After ordination I worked for a short time with Walk Through the Bible, managing their national schools programme, until my appointment as Mental healthcare Chaplain with KMPT Dartford, a post I continued alongside that of parish priest at Shorne. Since retiring from my role as Hospital Chaplain, I have just worked part time at Shorne. I felt God calling me back to full-time ministry. I am very much looking forward to the challenge of working full time across these three churches. It will obviously mean changes for everyone, but I hope we will be able to work together for the benefit of all, and the expansion of Gods kingdom in this place.
