Mayor's Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor

The Mayor’s Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor is chosen by the Mayor and is an honorary title. The role of the Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor is to offer spiritual guidance to the Mayor as and when required and to assist in organising the civic service, other civic occasions and prayers or suitable thoughts for the occasion at council meetings. The Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor is usually seated near to the Mayor at these events.

The Mayor’s Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor can also act as a focal point for religious or faith groups in the area and to advise the Mayor on religious and other matters. The residents of the area will not all be of the same belief and the Mayor’s Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor can explain the differences and similarities of belief and practice. Attending a religious or other service of another faith is the outward show that he or she is the Mayor of all the people and of the right to worship freely. It is therefore important that the support that the Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor gives to the Mayor helps the Mayor to understand and lead all sections of the community.

The Reverend Steve McKay

Steve is the Rector Designate for Tadley with Pamber Heath and Silchester and is due to be licensed as Rector in June 2023. He loves this community having lived in the area for 16 years. He is married to Sarah, who works in a local primary school and they have two older children.

Before ordination, Steve spent over 20 years as a senior school leader specializing in post-16 education, working with students from a diverse range of backgrounds in one of the UK largest schools. His first degree from Swansea University was in Business Education. As well as teaching, Steve has experience of governance of local primary schools. Steve and his wife Sarah are musicians and for 18 years Steve was a Music Director and a worship Leader in several local churches. As well as teaching Business and Music Technology, he has worked alongside local and national bands both in production and performance. He is a fan of puns and ‘Dad jokes’ much to his children’s embarrassment!

Steve was called to the priesthood 27 years ago, but it took a long time to figure that out! Having studied ‘Theology, Ministry, and Mission’ at Trinity College, he was finally ordained at Winchester Cathedral in 2021 and continues to serve in the Basingstoke Deanery and Winchester Diocese. He is passionate about the way we demonstrate love in our community, believing just as Jesus put on flesh and moved into the neighbourhood, we are his visible presence in our communities.

Steve looks forward to walking alongside the Mayor and Basingstoke and Deane councillors as they seek to love and support our community.

Please feel free to contact Steve at revstevemckay@gmail.com