Sam Funnell

Hello, my name is Sam Funnell. I grew up in Hastings with my parents and younger brother. After my A levels I started work with Lloyds Bank. After almost 12 years in the bank I left to work in a new Credit Union being set up in the town.

I grew up in my local Methodist Church – St Helen's in Ore village. Through my work there in Sunday School and both the Girls' and Boys' Brigade I eventually felt a call to the ordained presbyteral ministry. I trained on an ecumenical part-time course with SEITE (South East Institute for Theological Education). It was a great experience to train with friends from the Anglican and United Reformed Churches.

I began my public ministry as a probationer presbyter in 2001 in the Purley Circuit (now in the London District) with the care of two Methodist churches and one Methodist/URC. In 2006 I moved to the Medway Circuit in North Kent, caring for three Methodist churches that met on four different worship sites. In 2011 I moved to serve as the Superintendent Minister of the newly formed South Kent Circuit where I spent nine years enjoying the privilege of working with a great team of people, churches and colleagues.

In 2020 I answered a call to ministry here in the Wey Valley Circuit where I get to work with another group of wonderful people at Trinity Methodist Church in Woking and the wider Circuit. I also serve as the Deputy Chair for the Western section of our South East District, which means I help to care for other Circuits in parts of Hampshire, most of Surrey, Thames Valley, Staines & Feltham and Gibraltar!

In my 'down time' (my off-duty day is usually a Tuesday) I like to walk with my dog Daisy, read, catch up on my sleep, visit friends and family and eat food other people have cooked as my own cooking leaves a lot to be desired!

I am delighted to be in this current exciting and varied appointment and ask that you would pray for me, as I will pray for you; may the God of love, joy, peace and hope be with us all!