13 JAN

Pastures new for much-loved Rev Nicky

By timesecholife on in All News, Featured News

A hugely adored church leader is set to give her final goodbyes later this month as she moves onto a new venture after three-and-a-half years in the role. Reverend Nicky Grey of The Parish Church of St Giles the Abbot Cheadle with Freehay has been a pillar of hope and security in the community since 2018.

A hugely adored church leader is set to give her final goodbyes later this month as she moves onto a new venture after three-and-a-half years in the role.

Reverend Nicky Grey of The Parish Church of St Giles the Abbot Cheadle with Freehay has been a pillar of hope and security in the community since 2018.

She has overseen countless town and church events, guiding many through tough times amidst the pandemic.

But Nicky will hold her last services on January 30 as she embarks on a new ministerial path.

Speaking to the Times & Echo, she said she will miss “all the very special people of Cheadle and Freehay,” describing her journey as “a baptism of fire that has been testing,” adding: “It has served to sharpen my faith and accelerate my maturity at the age of 60.”

Nicky identified many highlights of her time in the position, including celebrating 180 years of St Giles the Abbot, conducting Remembrance activities for the Armistice Day Centenary and doing the Palm Sunday walk between St Chads and St Giles the Abbot alone alongside Jim Plant with Franky the donkey during the initial lockdown of 2020.

Other notable occasions included the breakout of a hailstorm during the outdoor Carol Service at St Chads in Christmas 2020, dancing with our oldest Parishioner Bill Beaumont (104) at a Church Barn Dance in Freehay Village Hall, and Songs of Praise at Party in the Park with Churches Together in Cheadle.

All this amid many charity aid initiatives, community events and poignant commemorations will live long in the memory.

When asked what legacy and impressions she would like to have left in the parish, Nicky said: “Well only God knows that really, hopefully some seeds sown that will bear fruit in generations to come.

“I hope for some the experience of living through this dreadful time with the virus may be a summons to faith.”

She humoured: “I hope it’s not for being the only Rector to walk down Cheadle High Street with her skirt tucked in her knickers, and I am still very grateful to the lady behind the counter in B&M who had the gumption to tell me.”

Nicky described her congregation as “amazing.”

She added: “When you think that we have managed to stay open for worship and life events whenever the Government have allowed us to since the pandemic started, and given their age profile – I think they have served the town amazingly well, keeping it going for life events and generations to come.

“But they really need the middle and younger generations of the town to step in and up now. They have also shown me enormous patience, grace, respect and tolerance.”

Nicky shall be “continuing as an Anglican Priest in a very different environment” beyond January, which she hopes will “take the light and good news of Christ.”

She explained that there is “so many” to thank for her time with The Parish Church of St Giles the Abbot Cheadle with Freehay.

She continued: “Our parish administrator – whom I fondly call Alice (from the Vicar of Dibley) – she has worked and served immensely hard to keep us all on track, but particularly me.

“The church wardens past and present have also been amazing, as have the leadership team and PCC members both past and present, local self supporting clergy and reader ministers.

“The Holy Dusters, the families who supported the development of the Healing Garden in their grief, for all the team at JP Keates.

“All mayors and town clerks past and present, the town shopkeepers; for those who have fed me – you know who you are.

“And for the kindness of The Stunner of course.”

In a letter to the Times & Echo, which has been signed by ‘members of the congregation at St Giles the Abbot’, a parishioner said: “Our rector, Nicky, is leaving us shortly and we would like to say how sorry we are that she is going.
“During her time here she has been a great asset to the community and an inspiration to the congregation.
“She has helped many people in the town and will be greatly missed. We wish her luck in her new role.”

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1 Comment

Thankyou for all the amazing times, and your memories here in Cheadle will be held close to many and will never be forgotten. Thankyou for making my sisters wedding in 2019 a very magical moment. Been at my daughters school ( Bishop Rawle). Both my daughters speak highly of you, so thankyou for being part of their lives. Don't give up your flute playing. I also play the flute and played at my sisters wedding. I heard you play at the Christmas nativity. It was beautiful. All the best in your new adventure. Thankyou so much for everything you have done. Xxx
Written by Caroline Stokes, January 17, 2022 - Reply