Growing up, I saw that my father was a devout Sikh who embodied the principles of his faith. He helped others, regardless of background or religion. Despite some challenges including experiencing racism, he instilled in me the importance of kindness and helping others. His example left a lasting impression on me, even as I began to seek my own spiritual path.

While I found solace in school assemblies and hymns, my connection to Christianity deepened during my studies of St. Mark’s Gospel. This comfort in the Christian faith eventually led me to take RE as an A-level subject and pursue further studies in Divinity. In 1973, during my first year at St. Katherine’s College, I was baptized and confirmed into the Church of England without my parents’ knowledge.

I had always been known as “Avtar”, since birth. My Godparent, Alan, suggested my Christian name should be “Kathryn”, and I embraced this new identity as part of my spiritual journey.

After my baptism, I began to see my faith as a calling to serve in a deeper way. I was fortunate to receive encouragement and support from my teachers, both in school and at St. Katherine’s College. During this time, my career as an educator blossomed. I became a teacher and eventually took on leadership roles, such as being appointed Faculty Head for several subjects.

In 1993, I was asked by the Rector, Roger Wikeley, to train as a Reader. Despite initial hesitations, I began my training and completed it in 1995. This new role allowed me to serve my church community more actively, and it has remained a vital part of my life ever since. The role of Reader has provided me the opportunity to build relationships with parishioners, conduct pastoral visits, and assist in various church services.

I continue to serve as a Reader at St Mary the Virgin with St James Church in West Derby, where I am also the Pastoral Team Leader and a member of the PCC. My ministry includes supporting the clergy team and conducting funerals, home communions, and pastoral care visits. Through my role, I’ve had the privilege of forming deep connections with my church community.

Beyond my Reader ministry, I’ve been involved in various other community-focused roles, such as serving as a school governor, participating in interfaith dialogue, and leading educational projects. These opportunities have allowed me to extend my faith and values into broader aspects of my life, touching lives both within and beyond the church.