Helen Coleman
I've had a variety of work before being called into ordained ministry – debt collecting, Personnel Assistant for a greeting card company, childminder, youth worker – all of which have given skills for my current work.
I'm married to Tim, another deacon, and between us we have eight children and twelve grandchildren, so life beyond work is busy! We also have Meatloaf, the cat out of hell, and Ziva, the crazy collie.
I love glass fusing, jigsaws, coffee and walking along a beach, preferably in a warm country!
As a deacon I'm passionate about ministry beyond our church buildings, to those who don't know Jesus or have been hurt by religion in the past. I do this through a number of initiatives, encouraging those within our churches to reach out beyond their comfort zone.
I have a heart to connect with children and youth to tell them about the incredible love that God has for each and every one of us, regardless of who we are or what we've done and am Chaplain within Nutgrove Methodist Primary School.
A third part of my ministry has led me to work with Papyrus, the suicide prevention charity, which gives hope to many who are feeling unable to cope with life. I am privileged to be their unofficial Chaplain.