Helen Burn is our Team Rector, which means she is in overall charge of ministry across our seven parishes.
Helen trained for ordination in Cornwall, served her curacy in a rural multi-parish benefice in the Diocese of Canterbury and then worked as Director of Studies for the West of England Ministerial Training Course. Helen was Vicar of St Justus, Rochester, since 2012, and was Area Dean of Rochester from 2017-2022. She moved to the Kent Downs and Malling Team to become our Rector in 2023.
Helen is an incurable reader of multiple books at the same time, and a passionate walker of pilgrim paths. Helen is married to Geoffrey and they have two adult daughters.
Helen says of herself:
“Being part of a Team is never dull. Our seven different churches offer just a taste of the variety and richness of Christian faith. They remind me that there are so many ways in which we can explore faith and draw close to God.
Walking in green spaces helps me relax, and so does being with friends, cooking, and reading novels. I taught English before being ordained so I can get carried away explaining why I think a particular book, poem or play is amazing or terrible!
The real gardener in our house is my husband Geoffrey and I am very much the assistant. We are taming an overgrown allotment and hoping for a good harvest this summer. We have two adult daughters who live and work in London and it’s always fun to meet up with them and go to the theatre or an art exhibition.”