First I want to say how delighted I am to be coming to Hale with Badshot Lea.  This is a parish which seems to me to want to combine the best of our Anglican tradition with a hopeful, prayerful reaching out to people who are yet to be convinced of the healing and joyful love of Jesus Christ in their lives.

I am married to Neil; we have been married for 12 ½ years. We met as civil servants interviewing staff for the Child Support Agency in a Hotel in Plymouth.  Neil was then a Russian Orthodox having converted when he lived near their Cathedral in Kensington.  He says of the experience of worship "I didn't know if I was in heaven or on earth." He is now Anglican.

Neil and I have two lovely boys: Toby aged eight and Guy just five. They too are excited about moving: Toby is particularly pleased about the walk-in cupboard on the first floor of the vicarage where he intends to house his model railway. Guy is pleased that there is a play area nearby and, because he is gregarious, is looking forward to making lots of friends.

Before I started training, Neil and I ran a hobby and crafts shop in Plymouth, but since I began full-time ministry he has become a house-husband. This has been, at times, an interesting exercise because the kitchen has become a place of hide-and-seek especially when the children help too..... Neil is a tremendous support in my ministry and the children adore having him so closely involved in their childhood.

I trained for ministry on the South West Ministry Training Course which is a non-residential three-year programme. Currently I'm finishing a dissertation, the last module of my theology degree; its working title is Children's Spirituality as a Ministry to the Church.

At present I work in the Godrevy Team here in Hayle, Cornwall (who would have thought, another Ha(y)le!) as the Team Curate. This means working in five churches across our parishes. The local state schools have been very welcoming and in assemblies we have talked about such things as the Creation, Stations of the Cross and ‘Is there a God?' But the thing that universally catches their attention is the Eucharist.  Holding up the bread and wine and telling them the words we use and what it symbolises renders all ages speechless. Perhaps they can't believe this is the ‘drama' played out in churches across the land every Sunday.

One of our hobbies is caravanning, and I am also a motorcyclist and have ridden through Spain on my bike, though I've now sold it. I also play saxophone, love to sing, cross-stitch and make rugs, when I have the time.

May I wish you much joy and many blessings in this Pentecostal season.

Christ is risen.  Alleluia, Alleluia.