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

We are delighted to announce that, having completed her curacy, Sally will be starting as Team Vicar of St Margaret’s Edgware in the London Diocese from the beginning of September.  Her last Sunday at St Mary’s Chesham will be Sunday 21^st August.

St Margaret’s is an evangelical, charismatic church in the multicultural parish of Edgware. This historic church sits on the High Street in the centre of the business/retail area, a stone’s throw from Edgware Underground station (end of the Northern Line) and bus station. It is a very exciting time for Sally to be joining the Edgware parish which consists of three churches including St Margaret’s.  The team is led by Rev Paul Berry, who was the team vicar of St Andrew’s on the Broadfield Estate and has just become both the Rector for the team and Area Dean. The third church St Peter’s has just opened a purpose-built church and community centre on the regenerated Stonegrove Estate.  The Bishop of Edmonton Rob Wickham announced Sally’s appointment to the Edgware parish at the opening of that new church on 3rd July 2016.

Reflecting on her time in Chesham Sally commented

‘Being part of a large team has provided me with great training opportunities and also helped me realise how much I value being part of a team. The role of team vicar at St Margaret’s will give me the challenge I’m looking for in leading a church into growth with the benefit of colleagues in the wider parish who have years’ experience of working in the Edgware. Hammad and I are both delighted that God has called us to a multicultural parish where all our gifts can be used to build the church and reach out to the community.  We will both miss Chesham very much and particularly St Mary’s where we have found good friends, support and encouragement for our ministry and mission. A big thank you to Simon and the rest of the team from whom I have learnt a lot, and to everyone for their prayers and support during my search for the next big adventure with God.’