Julia Horner – Deacon
June 2026
What does the role of Social Action Deacon entail?
Firstly, it doesn’t involve running everything in Social Action! There are many areas that Social Action covers, but most of these are run by other groups – some within our church such as Toddlers & Co, and others outside of our church – like the Street Pastors, the Food Bank, the Night Shelter, and Thirst Youth Café. So, within our church, the main thing the Social Action Deacon does is check these are running well, keep in touch with the leaders and deal with any problems or issues. Outside of the church, it’s more a question of being a liaison person between the organisation and the church.
Also, it’s my role to see if there are further Social Action ventures that we should develop within the church, or link with outside our church.
How long have you been Social Action Deacon and what have you been doing since you took on the role?
I have been the Social Action Deacon for 12 years. The main thing I have done in that time is set up and run Exchange, which takes up a lot of my time. I have also helped with setting up the café in the Bridge, including getting a grant for the Bridge café furniture and Exchange racking. We were very blessed to have Norma Symonds join us with her housing and benefits advice service, now being continued by Jenny Doohan. Most recently, I have organised the float for the town Carnival and Parade.
What is your vision for social action at BSBC?
I don’t want to see our church set up new projects for the sake of it. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should! But I would love to see the use of The Bridge expand to achieve its aim – to serve ‘the least, the last and the lost’, and I’d add to that the lonely. I would love to have, for example, a hairdresser coming in to give free haircuts, help with job applications and interview skills, cookery lessons with a lunch club, a skills club where people can learn to restore furniture etc. These are just ideas, but we need God’s wisdom to go in the direction he wants.
What skills or qualifications do you need if you would like to help the social action team at BSBC?
No qualifications are needed! Any skills you have can be used, as the areas covered by Social Action are varied, so go where your skills lie. But I think being ‘good with people’ is important, also having empathy, being able to think outside the box and not being afraid to try something new.
When and how did you become a Christian?
I was bought up by a quietly Christian mother who took me to Sunday school, where I learnt and understood what it means to be a Christian. But it was a profound encounter with God at my brother’s baptism aged 11 that started my commitment as a Christian.
How long have you been at BSBC and what was your church background before coming to BSBC?
I joined BSBC in 2005, when my family moved to Bishop’s Stortford from Southampton. I went to the independent evangelical church aged 11 to 19 where I became a Christian. Since then, I’ve been to a variety of Baptist, Pentecostal, Community and Evangelical churches as I moved around or circumstances changed – which ever one felt right at the time.
What other roles have you occupied since joining BSBC?
I helped with the 8–11-year-old children’s work for a while, and I have been involved with Puppets Galore. I sing in one of the Sunday morning bands and do tea and coffee sometimes.
Tell us a few interesting things about you…hobbies? Other volunteer roles outside the church?
I like singing, so have been in the local Musical Society for many years and also do a tap dancing class which is such fun. I like cooking and sewing, though I’m no domestic goddess!
I also help out at the local Food Bank regularly.
Is there anything we can pray about for you and/or your role?
After 12 years I will be stepping down from being Social Action Deacon at the end of my term. This means I can concentrate on Exchange which I will continue to run, giving someone else the time to develop the wider Social Action area, and pass the baton on to a new deacon with fresh ideas. So, my prayer would be for God to bring the person he needs to the role and fill them with his inspiration to develop the role as he wants. For myself, wisdom in running Exchange and for God to draw visitors to himself through its work.