Meet the Benefice Ministry Team
Rector
Revd Cassa Messervy became rector of the Wychert Vale Benefice in April 2021. She was previously vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Seer Green and Jordans, and before that had a career in education. Cassa has served more widely in the diocese in various roles such as Associate Area Dean of Amersham Deanery, a member of Oxford Diocesan Synod and Bishop's Council. She is passionate about children, schools and families ministry and has been involved with Lighthouse Beaconsfield, planting new family focussed congregations and has served as a governor in several schools. Cassa has an academic interest in ecclesiastical law. She is married to Myles, an electrical project manager for SSE and they have three school-aged children.
Associate Minister
Susan completed her curacy at St Mary’s Church, Princes Risborough, before coming to St Mary’s Haddenham as Associate Minister in July 2025. She has a particular passion for helping people encounter Jesus in ways that connect with everyday life and real questions. As a pioneer minister, Susan enjoys exploring fresh and creative ways of communicating the Gospel for our local context, while remaining deeply rooted in prayer, Scripture, and the life of the church. She has a heart for building welcoming communities where faith can be explored, nurtured, and lived out together.
Our benefice-wide ministry team also includes
Associate Rector
Revd Canon Dr Phil Groves is Associate Rector of Wychert Vale Benefice and lives in the vicarage in Stone. His special responsibilities are to oversee ministry amongst youth, children and schools, as well as mission and evangelism. He serves in all the parishes with a pastoral focus on Stone, Dinton and Cuddington. Phil is married to Anne and previously worked as Director of Continuing Indaba at the Anglican Communion Office in London. Indaba is a process of honest conversation that seeks to build community, energize mission, and provide a context in which conflict can be transformed. Phil has had many years of experience of parish ministry in Leeds and Melton Mowbray, where he had a special role in encouraging young families. The Groves also spent six years in Tanzania where Phil taught in the Anglican training college and mentored new clergy. Phil and Anne have three adult children and are foster parents.
Associate ministers
Revd Jonathan Hawkins: A retired Chartered Surveyor, Jonathan is an Associate Minister living in Haddenham with a focus on Pastoral Care within the benefice and has served across the benefice since Sept. 2010. He is currently the Assistant Area Dean for Aylesbury with particular interest in the rural area and ministry to older people. He is also the Buckinghamshire Archdeaconry SSM Officer.
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Ven Dr Gordon Kuhrt retired to Haddenham in 2012. Gordon has joined the Benefice Service Planning group. He preaches around the benefice and elsewhere. He is an Associate Tutor for the Diocese, especially teaching courses on Preaching. |
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Revd Trish Mander: SSM Associate Minister, ordained in 2013 with a focus on Haddenham, also ministering in Kingsey. Trish is an experienced Spiritual Director in the Diocese.
 Revd Nigel Featherston who also serves across the benefice. Nigel has a full-time secular job and He lives in Dinton, with a particular focus on the Cuddington community. |
Lay Ministers (LLM's)
Olive Kuhrt.