Whiteley has a new vicar after a service was held by the Bishop of Portsmouth to formally license Philippa Mills in the role.
Philippa Mills sits at the Whiteley Church quiet outdoor area
The Rev Mills, who has been an interim minister for the parish for the past year, has now officially taken over the position permanently.
She was confirmed as the curate in charge of the church at the Whiteley Community Centre by Bishop Christopher Foster, the head of the Church of England for the Diocese of Portsmouth.
The ceremony was marked with a few formal words by the Bishop to announce Philippa as the minister for the area and then they celebrated with cake and drinks.
“I was really delighted because I felt this was somewhere I was supposed to be and God was calling me to be here,” said Philippa.
“There was a great sense of celebration. The church seemed pleased to have someone again. We have had time to get to know each other so we’re confident it will work.
New Whiteley Church vicar Philippa Mills explains plans for the outdoor quiet area
“I love the fact that in Whiteley we have the opportunity to look after the existing congregation and we’re finding different ways of reaching out to the rest of the community and not necessarily on a Sunday.”
The Ven Gavin Collins, the archdeacon of the Meon, members of Whiteley parish council and Fareham councillors and other groups and societies in the village also attended the licensing service.
As Whiteley is still part of the parish of St Paul’s Church in Sarisbury Green, Rev Sandy Matheson will be assistant to Philippa at the Whiteley Church. Meanwhile, Sandy will maintain in charge of the St Paul’s church with Philippa as his assistant.
People pray in the community centre at Sunday services, but Philippa and other worshippers felt they needed another place of worship. So she has been integral in the designation of a quiet outdoor area – that they call a church without walls – near the Tesco car park and the recreation ground.
Philippa kneels as Bishop Christopher Foster performs the licensing service
Philippa said: “So far we have been able to develop the quiet church area for people to come and sit, enjoy the lunch and have it as a place of prayer, as Whiteley does not have a church yet.
“We have benches being assembled and due to be put in and we hope to put some flowers and plants down. We will probably see if we can apply for a grant from the parish council to hire a professional garden designer for this.
“We booked a slot for a week at the tree house at the shopping centre with small businesses. We had a creative and creation theme with the children making craft activities on the story of creation. On each of the different days they made crafts.
“We had about 850 people through the door during the week. People said what a lovely atmosphere it was and the great work of the professional artists.”
Philippa takes over the full time vicar role from Reverends Gary and Lorraine Snape, who were duty priests at the parish in Whiteley.
Lorraine began in 2006 and Gary began in 2009, with them both retiring from the roles in 2012.
Philippa, who currently lives in Fair Oak, near Eastleigh, will be moving to Whiteley in due course.
The Rt Rev Christopher Foster said: “I’m thrilled to be able to licence Philippa Mills as priest for Whiteley. In the past few months as interim minister, she has already shown her enthusiasm to find new ways to serve those who live and work in Whiteley.
“This is an exciting time for the community and the church as Philippa takes up her leadership role and as Cornerstone School opens.”