Revd Gareth Morley

Rector of Easthampstead

Area Dean of Bracknell

I grew up in Woodley near Reading, the eldest of four brothers. Life in a busy household taught me early on how to negotiate, share biscuits strategically, and develop a finely tuned sense of comic timing. Church was always part of our family rhythm. I sang in the choir at St Paul’s, Wokingham, and served at the altar as a teenager. At that stage, I was probably more interested in the thurible than the theology.

After finishing at Waingels Copse Comprehensive School (now Waingels College!), I wasn’t sure what came next. I didn’t go to university straight away. I stayed involved in church life while wrestling with some fairly hefty questions about faith, purpose, and whether God was truly present. I even wondered if God was real at all.

A visit to the Taizé community in France changed everything. Immersed in prayer, silence, and song, I had an overwhelming experience of God’s grace. It was quiet but unmistakable. I left Taizé with a strong sense of calling to ordained ministry. But I didn’t feel ready. I hadn’t yet walked alongside people in real crisis, such as those facing poverty, addiction, or broken relationships. I told God I needed more life experience. And, in a move that surprised absolutely everyone except my father, I joined the police.

For nearly twelve years, I served with Thames Valley Police. I worked in neighbourhood policing, CID, rural response, and serious crime investigations. I led teams, mentored new officers, and was once interviewed on TV. Sadly, it was not for anything involving a dramatic chase or helicopter. I was named Community Police Officer of the Year in 2009, which remains one of the few times I’ve been speechless in uniform.

Eventually, that sense of calling returned, stronger than ever. I spoke to my parish priest, who simply said, “About time.” I didn’t leave the police unscathed. The work was meaningful, but it came at a cost. Years of responding to trauma, violence, and human vulnerability left their mark both physically and emotionally. I carry the scars of that time, including a diagnosis of PTSD. It’s not something I hide. In fact, it has deepened my empathy and shaped the way I minister. I know what it is to feel overwhelmed, to carry invisible wounds, and to need space to heal. That experience has made me more attentive to the pain others carry, and more committed to creating communities where people can be honest, held, and heard.

I trained for ordination at St Mellitus College while serving at St Mary and All Saints, Beaconsfield. I was ordained Deacon in 2020 at All Saints, High Wycombe and began public ministry in the middle of a pandemic. Nothing like a global crisis to sharpen your pastoral instincts.

Today, I serve as Rector (priest in charge of Easthampstead Parish Church) and Area Dean of Bracknell. My ministry is rooted in inclusion, gratitude, and growth. I believe deeply in the power of music, story, and community to transform lives. I love preaching and teaching in ways that connect faith to everyday life, and I am committed to safeguarding as a culture of care, not just compliance. Spreadsheets may not save souls, but they do help keep them safe.

Alongside parish ministry, I serve as a Marriage Surrogate and Link Worker for the Diocese of Oxford, supporting couples and clergy with the pastoral and legal aspects of church weddings. I am a member of Diocesan Synod. I am also a Safeguarding Governor at both St Michael’s CE School and Jennett’s Park CE School, where I work to ensure that every child is safe, seen, and supported.

I am currently studying for a Master’s degree at the King Edward Centre in Oxford, exploring theology through the lens of narrative, formation, and pastoral care. Occasionally, I wonder why I thought postgraduate study would be relaxing.

I married Jenna in 2016, and we are blessed with three wonderful children: Elijah, Phoebe, and Nathaniel. They fill our home with laughter, questions, and the occasional Lego underfoot. Family life keeps me grounded, joyful, and well practised in the art of stepping on toys without swearing. In my spare time, I enjoy music, puzzles, and games. I am also a fan of crime fiction, possibly a lingering side effect of CID.

At heart, I am passionate about creating spaces where people feel they belong. I believe the church should be a place of welcome, honesty, and hope. Faith should be accessible. Generosity should be nurtured. And if we can sing a good hymn along the way, all the better.