Revd Gillian Baalham

Born in Rugby, Warwickshire, Gillian with her younger brother, grew up very much part of Market Place Methodist Church, in the centre of town. The church nurtured its young people with passion and enthusiasm, and Gillian became a Sunday School teacher, entering into membership of the Methodist Church aged 14.

University soon followed, a year in Aberystwyth, and two years in Loughborough, completing her degree in librarianship. Gill grew in faith, and in confidence to share faith with others. Moving to Sudbury, as Upper School Librarian she met her husband and moved to Ipswich, where their two children were born, and grew up. Chantry Methodist Church became our church family, the closest Methodist Church to our home.

Gillian, one Pentecost, was called to Methodist Presbyteral Ministry, being trained by the ecumenical Eastern Region Ministerial Course (ERMC). During this Gillian recognised her identity as gay, entailing reshaping of the family.

In 2013 Gillian was stationed to Bedford, serving the churches of Sharnbrook, Oakley, Clapham, Park Road and London Road Methodist Churches, a full and affirming time.

Come 2021, Gillian was welcomed into the then Redhill & East Grinstead Circuit, serving Redhill and Horley, and later St Paul’s Methodist Church in Crawley. Gillian loves working alongside churches and also supporting Sussex LGBT as an openly gay minister. One highlight is the opening of an Open Table Community at Cornerstone: Horsham, an affirming and safe space for the LGBT+ community, with allies who share much love and affirmation to those often isolated from faith spaces.

In their spare time, Gillian and her wife enjoy exploring the diversity of local National Trust sites, pottering around the many shopping centres, caring for their two cats, and making frequent visits to Suffolk to see friends and family. Our favourite holiday location is Swanage in Dorset, a place where each of us finds retreat, renewal and restoration.