Announcement - Priest in Charge

Sunday 10th May 2026

The appointment of Revd Jessica Monopoli,

Priest in Charge of The Good Shepherd, Tadworth

by The Bishop of Southwark

We are pleased to announce today, Sunday 10th May 2026 that,

The Reverend Jessica Monopoli, presently Curate of St Mary’s Cockerton, has been appointed Priest in Charge of The Good Shepherd, Tadworth, subject to completion of the necessary procedures.

Further details, including the date of the Licensing service,

will follow in due course.

If you have any questions, please contact the Churchwarden

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A big hello to everyone

at COGS!

My name is Jess Monopoli and I can’t tell you just how delighted I am to have been appointed as Priest-in-Charge here in Tadworth, I pray it will be for God’s glory.

I’m very much looking forward to learning more of your own stories but I’ve given a little of my own here. Having been born in the North East of England and trained for ministry in Durham, I’m really looking forward to coming to an area closer to my husband’s roots, as he is originally from Kingston. His name is Ottavio (we call him ‘Tuv’!) and he is step-dad to my two children William - who’s 12, and Eva - who’s 10. My oldest step-daughter is also close by in Cheam. I believe that at the heart of who we are called to be, is the truth that we are members of a community of grace, I strive for humility, not perfection, and I’ve learned to laugh at myself over the years - I hope that sense of humour will be valuable!

My original degree was in history and I’ve never lost the sense of curiosity my study gave me. I’m someone who wonders ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ and I’ve used that to foster a sense of wonder at the depth of the mysteries of God, that I pray I never lose. I also ask constant questions and encourage others to do the same! Contemplative and creative prayer are practices that are close to my heart and I’ve spent a significant amount of my time fostering community relationships in my previous post, I very much look forward to bringing that experience with me.

Before my formal ministry, I spent the majority of my professional life being a funeral director and have taught at my old theological college on death and dying. This remains an area of interest for me, particularly the ways in which we might make death less ‘taboo’.

Finally, I love to look after my garden, read, walk, share food with others, and have a particular penchant for eating uncooked cake mix before I’ve managed to get it in the oven!

Can I ask for your prayers for myself and my family as we prepare for this time of transition, school moves and the establishment of new patterns. Do be assured too, of my own prayers for each one of you, as we begin this new pilgrimage of growing closer to God and to each other.