Pam Tolhurst, a Local Church Leader at Gillingham United Reformed Church, says she is completely amazed to have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2022.
Pam was awarded an British Empire Medal (BEM) for “services to the community in Gillingham, Kent”.
She kept the news a secret from family and friends over the festive break after receiving a letter marked “urgent and personal, Cabinet Office” which was to be read in the strictest confidence.
Pam is pleased she can now share her good news.
“Being unable to share such personal news from late November until New Year’s Day served to reinforce my disbelief, amazement and wondering if it was really meant for me,” said Pam.
“Yet these weeks of waiting have also reinforced my thankfulness to God for the people of Gillingham and for all of my experiences in Medway and beyond which have arisen through my responsibility as Local Church Leader at Gillingham United Reformed Church.
“I have been asked why I do what I do – my answer is that it is my response to God’s call to live out my Christian faith in prayer and action, specifically today in the areas of my current involvement. People who know me well are used to me talking about the importance of relationship building, built on key relationship with Jesus Christ.
“To all on this journey with me through my responsibility as Local Church Leader at Gillingham URC since 2004, I am so grateful. The honour afforded me is all because God is at work in Medway and, among others, in the lives of my sister, my friends, my regular support, the local church fellowship and wider community of Gillingham, my friends and colleagues in the United Reformed Church, my friends and colleagues who are north Gillingham church leaders and the executive of Churches Together in Medway, and all with whom I am privileged to engage through my responsibility as Chaplain to Langley House Trust projects: The Shrubbery and Kent Resettlement.
“I thank God for the special people that they are and for this recognition which has been made possible through being part of a team seeking to declare the love of Jesus.”