downsmail.co.uk


News Community priest heads north


FORMER street pastor, the Rev Jackie Cray is leaving for North Yorkshire after six years as parish priest of St Faith’s Church, Maid- stone.


Along with her husband, former Bishop of Maidstone Graham Cray (67), Jackie (65) will be heading for the hills when she retires from the ministry at the end of April. Although raised in Gillingham,


where the pair met and married more than 40 years ago, itwas dur- ing their 17 years in York that the Crays really put down their roots and made many life-long friends. The couple, who currently live in Harrietsham, have bought a cot- tage near Pickering, from where Graham will almost certainly con- tinue to write and teach. The couple came to Kent from Cambridge, where Graham was principal of a theological college and, at the time, Jackie was the Church Pastoral Aid Society’s na- tional consultant for work with families and under 5s. A former teacher, she was only ordained 10 years ago, when the subject of women priests was still something of a hot potato. Jackie has been an ardentworker with the Ringlestone mums and


toddler group and has been spear- heading fundraising for a new community centre. After many months of meetings,


she was thrilled to see the Fremlin Walk chaplaincy set up in Decem- ber, and is now one of six clergy who work on a rota system to visit the 45 retail units and offer a drop- in service once aweek at the House of Fraser coffee shop, for shop- keepers, staff, security staff, clean- ers – and anyone else involved with FremlinWalk. Jackie said: “Times are tough and


there is a lot of insecurity around, whether it be financial or job-re- lated. Sometimes, it just helps that we are there for managers to say ‘It’s been a tough week’.” Jackie was also instrumental in setting up the churches’ night shel- ter scheme for the homeless this winter, which she says she would definitely do again. Jackiewas chair of the street pas-


tors for four years, until six months ago, and a keen supporter of the Urban Blue bus. The move to Yorkshire will mean


the couple are just two hours – by car or train – from each of their two daughters, one a station manager for London Underground and the


Jackie Cray, centre, with the Ringle- stone mother and toddlers group


other a social worker in Notting- ham. But it will also put them within striking distance of York, a city they both love – and potentially closer to God on those wild and inspira- tional Yorkshire moors. Jackie, a former president of the Scripture Union Council for Eng- land, said: “I am going to take a ‘sabbatical’ for six months and then see what God has in store for me.” Moving into a rural community


where the vicar has six churches to manage, one can only imagine.


carpet + upholstery cleaning


carpet


New Professional Service for all Denture Wearers


• New Dentures • 1 Hour Denture Repairs • FREE consultations • Cosmetic &


Implant Dentures


• Metal Framed Dentures


• Denture Relines


Individually handmade DENTURES


by clinically trained DENTAL TECHNICIAN


Tel. 01622 755641 www.maidstonedenturestudio.co.uk 78 King Street, ME14 1BH, Maidstone


Research studies have shown that cleaning your carpets with the Host system reduces:


• Cat allergen by 85% • Dust mites allergen by 89% • Mould Spores 97%


For a FREE survey call Izzy Jones www.thecleaningclinic.co.uk


01622 750 474 Maidstone Town April 2014


A common cause


JACKIE’S face is probably better known around the town than that of her husband, although he held the more senior role of Bishop of Maidstone for nine years. He was then promoted by the Diocese to work as an Arch- bishop’s missioner, to promote the Church of England and its Fresh Expressions programme. The approach has seen churches


set up in coffee bars, skate parks – even beaches. Jackie has even started a “café service” in Ringle- stone once amonth.


+upholstery cleaning


+ Carpets + Rugs + Seagrass + Sisal + Leather + Upholstery


The big plus with Host dry cleaning system: + deep cleans carpets + dry and ready to use + no need to remove furniture + no stretching + great solution for asthma sufferers + pet safe + environmentally green


3


Izzy Jones


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56