'Warm congratulations' have been given to the Rev Carol Avery, Assistant Curate at Stone St Mary in Dartford, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queens Birthday Honours list.
The award is for her work in the local community, through her work in the churches of St Mary Greenhithe and St Mary Stone, and the wider community.
Carol said: "I am absolutely delighted!
"I have loved seeing the amazing work and support for the most vulnerable that can be achieved when Church, statutory authorities, local organisations and local people all work together in a spirit of love, harmony and unity.
(photo credit: Maria Assia photography)
The Rt Rev James Langstaff, the Bishop of Rochester, on hearing of the honour said:
"I am delighted that Carol is to receive this honour, and on behalf of the whole Diocese, I offer her my warmest congratulations.
"It is especially significant that it is those who know and work with Carol, who have put her forward for this rightly deserved recognition. They recognise the many gifts and talents she has brought to the community, and the sheer compassion and dedication she brings to the people and causes she commits herself to, such as the Mary’s Child project she founded.
"In many ways, Carol represents the numerous clergy and lay members of the Church who work tirelessly and quietly each day to bring the hope found in Jesus into the lives of those they meet and to make their lives better. She is a testament to what can happen when the Church and community works together and so my prayers and blessings go to Carol and her family at this special time.”
Since arriving in Greenhithe 6 years ago, Carol and her husband, the Rev Andrew Avery, who is Vicar of St. Mary, Greenhithe, have been passionate about building community and also helping to alleviate both social isolation and poverty in the area.
They began by starting a simple community cafe, serving homemade cakes and meeting people, but this soon developed into a community hub, providing information, and care as well as hospitality.
Carol is also the Chair of 'Marys Child', a project which provides much needed support to vulnerable families from Dartford to Northfleet, and sometimes into Gravesend.