Jennifer Hippolyte

I am delighted to have joined the Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit as a part-time Pastoral Worker with Older People, working Monday to Wednesday. Having recently moved to Thatcham from London, I am particularly pleased to be serving and getting to know people within the local community.

For 20 years I ran my own business as a Wedding and Events Planner and Venue Stylist, working closely with people and families to help them create and celebrate important moments in their lives. Moving to Thatcham gave me the opportunity to bring that chapter of my working life to a close and begin a new season of service and ministry. My earlier career also included roles with Lambeth Council in Special Needs Housing, Homeless Services and Human Resources, as well as working with West Berkshire Council and in recruitment and employment support.

My faith has always been an important part of my life. I worship at Thatcham Baptist Church, where I am part of the Welcome Team, co-facilitate Bible Study and serve as a DBS Verifier. I am also a commissioned Anna Chaplain, and I feel called to walk alongside older people, offering compassionate pastoral and spiritual care and being present to hear their stories.

Outside of work and church, I am a proud mum to three wonderful grown-up sons and a very happy Gran-Gran to one grandson and two granddaughters. I love people, conversation and hearing the stories that have shaped their lives.

I am looking forward to meeting people across the Circuit and being part of the Methodist Church’s ministry among older people. Through the work of the Circuit and its churches, I hope to help create opportunities for older people to be heard, valued, supported and encouraged, and to discover meaning, hope and purpose through the different seasons of life.