Sylvia started work as the full-time Director of Education & Music at Gillingham Baptist Church in January 1981. The following month she also took on the role as Association Secretary to the Kent Baptist Association. In 1984 her title was changed to Assistant to the Minister to reflect her wider remit.

"Sylvia provided a number of of courses for church members about aspects of the Bible and Christian living. These were well received and much appreciated. She had a major role in directing the shape of church music with choirs and new musicians. In April 1981 a performance of Jimmy and Carol Owen's The Witness was put on at Green Street. At Christmas 1982 a performance of The Glory of Christmas was also staged."

In July 1986, Sylvia announced that she going for accreditation as a Baptist Minister and the church endorsed her candidacy in July 1987. Between August and December 1987 Sylvia took a sabbatical in Louiseville, Kentucky where she pursued postgraduate studies in music and leading worship. In March 1998 she took on the new role of Church Administrator.

She was ordained as a Baptist Minister on 5 November 1988 at Green Street. A few months later in April 1989, Sylvia announced that she had received a call to become minister of Tyndale Baptist Church, Reading and her farewell service was held on 29 October 1989.

"In her final article in the Tidings, Sylvia movingly mentioned her early Christian upbringing at Green Street; being baptised by Jack Pike; her baptism in the Spirit in August 1963; her ten years in Africa; her call to ministry at Green Street; and nursing her dying mother."

"Sylvia said that the Bible text that had influenced her throughout her life was Zechariah 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord."

Many thanks to Stephen Greasley and his book A History of Gillingham Baptist Church from which the above material has been taken.