A Message from Mike Sheffield

July 16th it is - that's when Lynda  and I are coming to St. George's Church, Waterlooville. For nearly eight years we've lived at West Leigh and I've been the Parish Priest of St. Alban's Church. We've had a fantastic time and it's been a great privilege to minister here. Now, though, the time has come to move on. Following meetings with your parish representatives and an invitation from the Bishop of Portsmouth, I'm coming to be your new Priest and we're both looking forward very much to worshipping with you and getting to know you.

The first question often asked of a new Priest is what to call him. I'm happy to respond to almost anything, but I'm normally known as Fr. Mike. One of the names that really winds me up appears on my receipt when I get robes and vestments cleaned - that's Mick. I've no idea how that came about, but I wish it hadn't!

Lynda is my wife, and we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary two years ago. We don't have any children of our own, but between us are Godparents to eight. Although our present house is very quiet at present, we've usually had cats and dogs to keep us healthy and hairy.

Having spent a couple of years teaching secondary age children, I trained for Ordination at Salisbury and Wells Theological College, and was ordained in 1979. My first parish was Locks Heath, which was followed by 13 years on the Isle of Wight: first as curate and then as incumbent of three Ryde churches. I also worked in radio during that time, being seconded by the Diocese of Portsmouth to the BBC in Southampton and later to Isle of Wight Radio in Newport.

Lynda and I both come from Essex and have family still there. Lynda works for Lloyds TSB and also teaches keep fit. Currently she is chairman of the Hampshire Keep Fit Association. Our hobbies include theatre going and entertaining, and my particular interest is buses and ferries, so if you don't get a chance to meet me in Church, then you'll probably get a chance to talk to me standing at a bus stop!

It's always sad when a parish loses its Vicarage, and I'm disappointed not to be moving into your former Vicarage. Its roof is apparently in need of much repair and the Diocese just doesn't have sufficient funds for such a major project. However, it is purchasing a house and Lynda and I hope that you will come and visit us during the summer and have a look around your new Vicarage.

I hope too that you'll join us on Friday July 16th for the Institution service, which marks the formal beginnings of this new chapter for both St. George's Church and for the parish of Waterlooville.

Fr. Mike Sheffield