The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, has announced the appointment of the Revd Preb Sandra McCalla as the new Chaplain to the Bishop of London. She will begin in post in November.
Revd Sandra has been Vicar of Heston at St Leonard Church in Heston since 2016, and is Dean of Cultural Diversity in the Kensington Episcopal Area.
As Chaplain, she will be a key adviser to the Bishop, supporting her in sustaining positive relationships with parishes across the Diocese and maintaining clergy welfare. In addition to a range of other supporting duties, she will also provide counsel to the Bishop in developing and maintaining good safeguarding policies and practices in the Diocese.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, said:
“The commitment Sandra has shown both in her parish and in work for the wider Church in London are demonstrative of her passion, intellect and dedication to her community and our mission. As Chaplain, I am confident she will bring these qualities to bear in support of our work across the Diocese, in particular in helping communities recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and in working to fulfil our 2030 Vision. I look forward to welcoming her at my side later in the year.”
In addition to her roles in Heston and Kensington, Revd Sandra sits on the Diocese of London’s Racial Justice Priority Group, whose aim is to support and encourage senior leadership in striving for racial justice within the Church. As Chaplain and Formation Tutor at St Mellitus Theological College, Revd Sandra provides pastoral care for students and ordinands, as well as teaching those undergoing training in theology.
The Revd Preb Sandra McCalla, Vicar of Heston, said:
“I am excited to be appointed as Chaplain to the Bishop and look forward to commencing this next stage in prayerfully serving the Lord and the wider Church in London. It has been a real pleasure to have served the community of faith in Heston and I will miss parish ministry.”
Prior to her ordination in 2012, Revd Sandra was a practising barrister in the City of London for a number of years. She will shortly step down from her role as Vicar of Heston, before taking up her post as Chaplain to the Bishop of London on 1st November.