Local Face: Rev Sally Moring

It’s good to be able to introduce myself as a new ‘local face’ to Wendover. I am the Reverend Sally Moring and will begin my new role as the Vicar of St Mary’s, Wendover and St Michael and All Angels, Halton on Wednesday 6 September. On that evening, I will be instituted, inducted and installed, all quite a mouthful which means that the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Rev’d Alan Wilson, will give me his licence to minister in Wendover and Halton, and then I will be installed into the church. Each church has a patron and in St Mary’s case it’s the Lord Chancellor (who just happens to be our local MP David Lidington!). His representative was part of the appointing panel.

Originally from the Northeast of England – my mother still lives near Durham – I have previously been a teacher and run a community project for women and their families. I am moving to Wendover from Hayes in West London where I have been Vicar of St Edmund of Canterbury Church, Hayes, for the last 8 years. I have also been involved in the training of curates (newly ordained women and men in the first three years of their ministry) and in the local schools as a governor.

It’s been a good 8 years but we are ready for a new chapter in our lives. I say ‘we’ because I am moving with my husband Paul (who works in manufacturing) and our adult children James and Sarah, both of whom are going into their final years of study. James is training to be ordained next year and Sarah is studying Pharmaceutical Science at Lincoln University with an interest in science communication. We are all looking forward to living in Wendover and getting to know that area, especially putting on our walking boots and exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding the village. We enjoy good food and wine so will be frequenting some of the local pubs and restaurants. We are also looking forward to getting to know many of you in the different places that people gather together…not just in St Mary’s and St Michael’s.

When instituted by the Bishop, he will give me his licence, saying, “Receive this cure of souls, which is both yours and mine”…in other words, “be part of the people of this benefice, show them who Jesus Christ is through the way you live and are, and be there for them in times of joy and sorrow.” I hope that I will be able to do that as the new Vicar of Wendover and Halton; you’ll see me in the JUST shop from time to time. I’ll be around in the local schools and youth centre, at Lindengate meeting service users and volunteers, at SAGES and other gatherings for the older members of the community and in the various homes in the area for those who are no longer able to live on their own. I’m also looking forward to working with the congregations of the two beautiful churches, continuing to put St Mary’s at the heart of Wendover’s community, bringing God’s love to you all and being involved in the times of celebration in your lives at baptisms and weddings, as well as being there when life gets hard or sad. In Halton, together we’ll work out what it is to be a parish church in a very small village and where the RAF base is closing…there are exciting opportunities ahead.

Please say hello when you see me around Wendover and Halton, and be there on 6 September if you can as I pray for you all in this time of transition for us.