It’s week 2 in Edgware and God is doing amazing things already. On Monday this poster went up outside the church. On Wednesday we doubled the number attending the coffee morning albeit mostly with regular coffee morning attendees or church members.

Then on Friday as we spent the morning moving all the chairs back into place which had been moved for floor polishing, a young lady comes in asking to meet the new vicar.  She is of Hindu background and feels called to Jesus. She lives in the area and saw the poster outside.  We had a chat and have arranged to meet 1-1 next Wednesday to explore Christianity and what it means to follow Jesus. Praise God.

I left the church for an hour to visit the local funeral directors as I’m doing a funeral on Monday at Hendon Crematorium and needed to sort out the music for the service. When I got back to church I’m told I’ve just missed another lady who walked in to meet the new vicar as she felt called to give her life to Jesus. She was given our new weekly bulletin with my contact details and invited to come back on Sunday. She has already text me and we have arranged to meet up next Friday to talk about baptism preparation. She is hoping to come to church on Sunday as well. Praise God.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our ministry at St Margaret’s in Edgware, God is answering your prayers. Please do continue so that more and more people come to know Jesus and join the church family. Blessings, Sally

p.s. Our dog Xena enjoyed the morning running round the new church, checking the churchyard for squirrels as I litter-picked, and prayer walking to and from the Funeral Directors, as we explored our new parish.

Press Release –New lady vicar appointed in Edgware

On Monday 5^th September Rev’d Sally Baily was licensed as Vicar of St Margaret’s in the Edgware Parish by Bishop Rob Wickham – the Bishop of Edmonton.  Rev’d Baily, the first female Anglican Church leader in the Borough, was welcomed by the Mayor of Barnet – Councillor David Longstaff and the Deputy Lieutenant of Barnet Martin Russell.

The church was full to capacity as Rev’d Baily’s supporters from her former post in Chesham, as well as local church and community members joined together in joyful service of praise.

Bishop Rob commended the Mayor of Barnet for all the great work that he and his fellow councillors do for the local community and urged them to continue working closely with the churches in Edgware. 

The Deputy Lieutenant drew attention to Rev’d Baily’s long career in the City of London and commercial experience which stood her in good stead to minister to those who commute from this area into the City or Docklands.  In response Rev’d Baily said ‘I’m delighted to have moved to Edgware and am very excited at the prospect of working together with church members to share God’s love with the local community.”

See the London Diocesan website for the official press release

Sarah de Nordwall the acclaimed poet and story teller performed a poem commissioned for the event which is reproduced her with permission:

For Sally with love  

A poem to celebrate your generous and pastoral heart;

with a reference from a beautiful medieval Persian poet, Hafiz, who first spoke so tenderly of the Jewelled Dance Floor of the Lord.  When I thought about writing Sally’s poem, I just knew that this light from the East had somehow to be woven in.

 She brings worlds together

 She brings worlds together

Not just to pray

but to dance

For there is prayer in dancing

 Delight in the heart that hears the Father rejoicing

As he sings

Over his beloved daughter.

 There is no one in this world who is not upon

His Jewelled Dance floor.

 And she will lay gems at your feet

 To remind you

 Look

 How precious you are!

 And your dance will go far..

 Though you may need a business plan

Or a bass guitar.

She has many ways of helping you

To follow His star.

 She brings worlds together

Not just to pray

But to build.

There is prayer in building

 Delight in the hearts that hear the Father rejoicing

As he sings

Over his beloved people.

 A communion where the edges are now at the centre

The hope-less are hope-filled

The left out can enter.

 There is no one who is not upon

His jewelled dance floor.

 She brings worlds together

Not just to pray but to thrive

There is prayer in thriving. 

We come to the Spring

Where our hearts cease from striving

 For He calls to east and west

That all are welcome to enter His rest.

 She brings worlds together

through an open door. 

There is no one who is not upon

His Jewelled Dance Floor.

 Sarah de Nordwall 5th September 2015

 For commissions and performances, workshops and creative retreat days for churches and colleges,  businesses and special events  just contact sarah@sarahdenordwall.com or visit  www.sarahdenordwall.com. 07849 641 899