Press Release –New lady vicar appointed in Edgware
On Monday 5th 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