Well that description fits Vicky Martin to a tee.
In 2020 she became Vicar of the Union Church, Heathfield. Since then she has been true to her pledge ensuring that nobody is excluded from church life. But more than that she looks and listens; checks when people fall through the welfare net and does her best to find a way to provide what they need.
This includes an exhausting-sounding round of lunch clubs, carer and child sessions, men's clubs and a a fully-stocked 'community fridge' type of operation where supermarkets donate bread and packaged goods, made available free of charge to whoever wants them - irrespective of whether they go to church or not. Vicky said: "As well as helping people, it also stops excess food going into landfill. We are lucky to be supported by Waitrose, the Co-op and Sainsbury's."
There's an environmental and further social benefit too. Surplus food is given to Tinkers Hatch in New Pond Hill, Heathfield, which provides residential day and respite care for people with learning difficulties. The food is fed to their pigs - so nothing is wasted.
Groups include Tuesday's Together (tea, cake and speakers,) Thursday's Wellbeing Cafe and Kinship Carers. A men's counselling group helps link male members of the community who, under normal circumstances, would not find it easy to make friends.
Vicky spent five years as a full time Chaplain in the local NHS Mental Health Trust (Sussex Partnership) but came into ministry after finding a sick and beaten homeless man sleeping on church steps. She's a 'doer' rather than just a 'talker' (although she can talk too.) And she arrived in Heathfield after a spell at Seaford Baptist Church and has worked in the field for 16 years in total.
She said: "There are lots of groups out there that help - for example the Town Council and Age Concern. There are so many flats for elderly folk in Heathfield and I can imagine all those people living in a flat quite alone. So there's a lunch club for them. We also have lovely mother, or parent and toddler groups. It's fascinating to see how society has changed. Now we welcome lots of grandparents who do vital child-minding services for their adult children who are working."
Three years ago she founded the Union Church's Christmas Tree Festival. "We were given the chance by the Parish Council who wanted to mark the late night shopping and lighting up evening. It's grown and grown - so many voluntary groups take part, also local companies and youth groups and people can go in free of charge and donate if they wish to. This year the new Youth Hub created a terrific display." She likened it to the Arlington Bluebell Walk where money is raised for various charities.
She was a driving force too to November's 'yarn bomb' where poppies mounted on red ribbons were strung along the church railings in Station Road and the High Street.
Vicky is sensitively conscious of the scores of young families who, she says, are often 'staggering along on the breadline,' exhausted and struggling. She's also very aware of the priceless support given by grandparents, many of who take on full-time childcare coinciding with their own retirement. "I'm always disappointed that we can't meet more people's needs. If anyone has an idea that would benefit the community, do get in touch with me,. I'd love to hear from them."
Union Church is was founded in 1899 as a union of Congregationalists and Baptists. When Vicky first started at the church, about 25 people took part in Sunday services.. Now she regularly sees upwards of 60-65. She smiles: 'Another group of people I see are those who are waiting for a bus, only to find it's been cancelled again. Sometimes they're in tears, particularly if they have missed an important appointment. The least we can do is provide a warm space for them."
And yes, when groups need hot food, it's Vicky you'll find in the kitchen!