Ministry Team
Kelly Parsons – Vicar
Rev Kelly Parsons arrived at St Bart’s in May 2025.
Before training for ordained ministry, Kelly worked in post 16 education in the land-based sector in the rural village of Hadlow. She trained for ordination locally at the Benedict Centre in West Malling and was ordained in 2022 at Rochester Cathedral.
Kelly started her ordained ministry in the Kent Downs and Malling Team, this is a Team of seven churches in Kent. Kelly moved to Otford in April 2025 to take up the post of Vicar at St Bart’s.
Kelly is married to Michael, and they have three adult children and a dog called Jasper.
Kelly says:
“As I have followed God’s call on my life and developed my ministry through my Sending Church at Hadlow and my curacy at the Kent Downs and Malling Team, I have realised just how important story is. The stories that we hear, the stories that we tell shape and form us in ways that we do not always fully comprehend at the time.
In churches stories are woven together over time and no matter what part we play in the life of a church whether as a minister, a member of the congregation or occasional visitor all those stories matter and are held together by God. I am excited to now be here as part of the story of St Bartholomew, to listen to your stories, to share mine and help to shape the next chapter together.”
You can contact Kelly using our contact form.
Alternatively her mobile number is: 07415 855 615
Dawn Hallam – Lay Reader
Dawn has been a Lay Reader at St Bart’s for many years and has recently after long service working within the NHS. Now she is busier than ever spending her time on youth ministry, leading Messy Church, EPIC, YPF and co-leading Sundy Club.
Dawn also does outreach youth work with Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust, and is a member of our PCC.
Margaret Lidbetter – Lay Reader
Margaret’s background is in education having been the Headteacher of a Church of England Primary School for many years.
As a Lay Reader she also holds a licence to conduct funerals. Supporting her service as a Pastoral Assistant, Margaret is a trained counsellor and a chaplain member of Kent Workplace Mission. She leads CAMEO, one of our homegroups which also engages in social activities. CAMEO is for those who live on their own.
Margaret is one of the representatives on the Deanery Synod for our church, and is a member of our PCC.
Mags Southgate – Lay Reader
Mags is a full time teacher and licenced Lay Reader, and has been leading and preaching at St Bart’s for many years.
Mags has a heart for young people and a passion to see the Church grow and sustain itself for future generations. She believes one way of doing this is by exploring new forms of worship.
Mags is a member of our PCC.
Churchwardens
Janet Hunt and Joan Beacom
A Churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church. The holders of the position are members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The role of Churchwarden is extremely varied but generally involves the areas of management, maintenance, and ministry.
Between them Janet and Joan attend many services at St Bart’s and are always available to talk to parishioners about any concerns they might have. You can reach them via the church office using our contact form.
Church Office
Clive Southgate – Parish Administrator
We have a church office which is generally open for visitors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for general enquiries. The office hours are 9am-12noon.
Clive will be happy to deal with your enquiries or re-direct you to someone who can help.
You can contact our church office via our contact form.
Members of our PCC (as of 2025)
Rev Kelly Parsons, Vicar
Colin Anderson
Jonathan Batchelor
Joan Beacom, Churchwarden
Chris Bishop
Cindy Davies
Dawn Hallam, Lay Reader
Mark Holmes, Minute Sec./Member of Deanery Synod
Janet Hunt, Churchwarden/Member of Deanery Synod
Naomi Hunt, Safeguarding Officer
Nancy Jonsson
Margaret Lidbetter, Lay Reader/Pastoral Assistant/Member of Deanery Synod
Derek Shilling, Member of Diocesan Synod
Mags Southgate, Lay Reader
Heather Stanley, Hon. Treasurer
George Young
