The Rev. Katherine (Kate) F. Picot

I grew up in the beautiful English countryside in Cornwall. My parents are retired; dad was a housing surveyor and mum a teacher. They still live in the house I grew up in and I have one brother who lives and works in Plymouth. I swapped this beautiful countryside for the concrete jungle at age 18, leaving Cornwall to begin my nurse training in central London at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. I had wanted to be a nurse since I was 7 years old and had spent much of my childhood caring for sick animals that I found in hedgerows, before I progressed onto human beings!

During my nurse training, I became a Christian. Church life hadn’t played a very strong part in my childhood, but I had spent a few years asking questions and learning about the Christian faith during my teens. I then attended a course similar to The Alpha Course in London, and everything eventually fell into place.

My nursing career was developing well and I had known for some time that I wanted to specialize in Palliative Care (care of the dying). I went into this at age 24. I have 10 years of experience in this work, working for hospice teams and the National Health Service. In addition, I have completed extra training as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This role was more supportive and advisory, specializing in caring for patients with very complex and challenging palliative care needs. I worked in some of the wealthiest and some of the most deprived areas in and around London. I am trained in Christian counseling and have also traveled to Africa several times in relation to my nursing work.

I sensed a call to be ordained when I was in my twenties, but was not ready to go for it straight away. God then seemed to make it very clear that this was His plan for me. I very quickly went through the application process and started training for ordination at Ridley Hall seminary in Cambridge in 2007 where I spent 2 years studying. I was ordained at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London in June 2009.

Hobbies-wise, because my mum was a cookery teacher I seem to have developed her passion for this, if only a little of her skill! I enjoy running, sailing, skiing and have a desire to develop my rudimentary skills in golf! I love to travel and I also like to draw and paint when I have a bit of time. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to return to St. Martin’s after spending a month here during the summer of 2008, whilst still studying for ordination. Pastoral care is my passion and I am very much looking forward to continuing my learning and serving the community of St. Martin’s.

[Updated 2-6-2012]