Meet the Minister
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This year we said goodbye to Rev Susan Holden who has been our MInister since 2006, and has moved to a new position as Circuit Superintendent in the Salisbury area. We welcome Rev Heather Cooper who comes to us from a circuit in Leeds, although she has family not far away in Wootton Bassett.
Heather began her ministry in Falkirk in 1987 and while there she married Neale Cooper.
Since Falkirk they have been in Warrington, Colchester and Morley (South Leeds).
She became a superintendent while in Colchester and has been the superintendent in Morley.
Coming to the Swindon & Marlborough brings her closer to home as she grew up near Reading.
In the latest edition or our magazine The Link Heather writes:
I’m a southerner by birth and upbringing – a native of Berkshire. I grew up just outside Reading. I’m the eldest of three, my sister and family now live in New Zealand while my brother and his family are a little closer in Wootton Bassett. I started life in the Presbyterian Church but we moved to the Methodist Church when they built close to where we lived and it was easier for my parents to take three of us there. Like so many teenagers I rebelled against Church but came back when my grandmother died. Coming back felt like coming home and after a few years I became a local preacher and candidated for the ministry. I left college in 1987 and went to Falkirk in Central Scotland. It was during that appointment that Neale and I married. He’s Welsh and proud of it. From Falkirk we moved to Warrington, then to Colchester and then to Morley, on the southern edge of Leeds. Now we’re getting ready for the move south. As you can see we do bounce around the country. We don’t have any children but do keep pet hamsters – normally only one at a time! The current manse hamster is getting quite elderly so I’m not sure that she’ll still be with us when we move. I love to read and to cook, I enjoy Sci-Fi, especially Star Trek & Dr Who. I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles. We are looking forward to the move and to getting to know a new part of the country. We like to explore the areas where we live and see as much of the surrounding area as possible. I am looking forward to the adventure of a new ministry with you and getting to know you all as friends over the coming months. If you would like to contact the Minister please send an email using the box below or call the Church Office on 01672 513701. Please note that during the transition period over the summer the email may get read by the Senior Steward before reaching the incoming Minister. |
