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 have spent the last nine years enjoying the great privilege of working with a great team of people, churches and colleagues.
In my 'down time' 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!
And now God calls me to a new chapter in my life and ministry in the Wey Valley Circuit and across the Western section of our District. I look forward to all that we will share together and ask you to pray for me, as I will pray for you.
My off-duty day is Tuesday.