Profile: Michael Wenham, Vicar
 Hi. I've been here for almost 18 years, though it doesn't feel like it. It feels a good deal shorter - which must be a good sign. I'm not getting bored or fed up. I love the church in Stanford. We're not perfect, but I have found a depth of care which has made me think, Yes, this is what it's meant to be like.' And I must say, it's that which keeps me going, that and the fact that, amazingly, God has kept on loving me and has said, 'Stick on in there,' or words to that effect.
I imagine most people know that I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease five years ago - which explains the way I talk and the way I walk - with difficulty. It wasn't the best news in the world, and it's not been the easiest experience of my life - but it's proving a pretty good one.
Why? Well for one thing, it's changed my perspective. I've found that independence is not a great virtue. People are often too proud to say, 'I can't do this on my own. Help!' Actually helping is, first, what God likes to do himself and, secondly, what he wants us to do. So refusing to accept help is a double slap in the face. For another, I have realised that the physical world, what we touch and see around us, beautiful and full of wonder though it is, is not the whole story. Some day, sooner or later, all of us will turn over the page and find a new one, the real one, beginning - and we need to be ready for it.
Anyway a profile is meant to tell you a bit about me. So...
My life
I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1949; yes, I'm a Geordie, but I lost my accent at the age of two and a half when my parents moved to Bristol. I just remember the Queen's Coronation tour when she drove past Clifton Downs. After school there, I went to Cambridge University and studied English, played sport and learned a lot through the Christian Union. My first job was in publishing in London; but a couple of years convinced me that that wasn't to be my career. So I temped as hospital porter for some months before training as a teacher.
Jane and I got married about the same time as I was appointed to my first teaching job in North Hertfordshire. Ten years later, I was Head of 6th Form and English in Cowley St John Upper School, Oxford, really enjoying teaching, when God caught up with me and headed me in the direction of becoming a Church of England vicar. I trained in Oxford and served my first post in Stockport, south Manchester, before being appointed here. I think I was third choice!
Someone has called God 'a God of surprises': he's right. Although I have been a Christian for many years, the last thing I expected to be doing is being a vicar, and the last place I expected to be living is in the country, and the last thing I expected was that he'd utterly change me on the way. However, that's what he did thirteen years ago, when I had an experience of the Holy Spirit which transformed my truth-based Christian faith into a new sort of relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to say that I know of no more completely satisfying and disturbing way of life than going with him. And I don't believe I've seen the last of God's surprises yet.
My family
I'm married to Jane, who was a physiotherapist before becoming a full-time mum and domestic manager. Without her I'd not be able to manage. We have four children and are expecting our third grandchild.
Our dog is called Jess and has a lot of hair. If you look over the wall, you can also see our chickens which have their home in the vicarage garden.
How to contact me
I love chatting to people, especially about what's important to them and me. The easiest way is to come to church on a Sunday morning. Our services are friendly and there is a chance to have coffee and chat at the end.
Alternatively, I'm usually in the church on a Saturday morning - coffee again, and cake - and that's a good time to chat. For obvious reasons I'm limited in being able to visit, but I'm helped by the Rev Barbara Webb who can be contacted on 01235 202873. Or you're welcome to visit me!
Finally, there's always the phone: 01367 710267.
Michael keeps an online blog: http://mydonkeybody.blogspot.com
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