The wife of a vicar has "answered God’s call" after a decade to become ordained herself, writes Shruti Sheth Trivedi.

Reverend Wendy Bull, from Flackwell Heath, will lead her first Sunday services on April 17, conducting the 8.30am Holy Communion and 10am Parish Communion at St Anne’s church, Wycombe Marsh, and the 6pm evening service at St Peter’s church, Micklefield.

Wendy, 53, grew up in Dunstable and went on to train as a nurse at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. She married reverend Chris Bull, 56, in 1985 and has three daughters.

The couple’s move to Flackwell Heath in 1995 saw Chris take up his first post as vicar at Christ Church. It would take Wendy a further 20 years to follow the same course.

Speaking about the long wait, she said: “I have known God was calling me to ordination for about ten years, but it can take a long time until you are ready to take up a role like this.

“I was able to stay at home and be around for the children, and to support Chris in his ministry in Flackwell, which has been a wonderful blessing.”

After getting a “final push” from a friend who suggested she was “resisting God's call”, Wendy went on to do her theological training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, and undertook a three-year curacy in Marlow.

She said: “I will not be training anymore so the main difference for me in Wycombe Marsh will be the responsibility that I will have.

“The real challenge for me will be sharing the good news of God's love for every individual in Marsh and Micklefield.”

The Right Reverend Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckinghamshire, will conduct Wendy’s licensing service on Thursday at St Anne’s church.

She added: “I am looking forward to the challenge of a new church and excited about getting to know the people of the church and community.”