Recommended by Diocesan Panel

Today I was notified that I've been recommended by a Diocesan Panel as suitable for training for Ordained Ministry.  That's not the end of the process, just one step along the journey.

I've got to meet the Bishop later this month, to see whether he accepts that recommendation and will send me to the Bishop's Advisory Panel (BAP) which is run by the Church as a national selection process.  It's run over a long weekend in different locations a few times a year.

The discernment process might seem to some to be quite long, quite drawn out and to be looking for some strange personal qualities.  I wonder how I managed to get through it so far.  Perhaps I'll be found out later?

But whatever comes of this process, I've had a hugely beneficial journey, shared with so many great and Holy people, supported by prayer and surrounded by the freely given grace of God.

Lots more I could say, but I've been privileged to share so much which has meant so much to me. God has certainly got a sense of humour.  I wanted to turn Cartwheels today when I got the news. But age and dignity precluded that. :)

The Bishop held a meeting at his home last evening for candidates currently in the process of discerning a vocation. Also present were diocesan DDO and staff and staff from the diocesan ministry training scheme.

Around 30 candidates attended, which helps you appreciate that it is not just you! Lots of others, from all ages and backgrounds, are in the process of testing their vocation at different stages of the journey. The common denominator perhaps being that everyone's journey has been different and unique.

I met and spoke to many different people, and at the end, I struggled to remember my own name, let alone those who I had spoken to and socialized with. I also share many inspirational stores of how people came to where they are now.

Some that I spoke to, commented on the the length of time it seemed to take for them to both understand that they were being called and then plucking up the courage to actually speak to their Vicar about it. I also noted that some were a little impatient with the church seeming to take a long time in the discernment process. I could recognised this, remembering my own impatience at the start of this journey, but having received the gift of relaxing and waiting on God am content. This is a state which seems to hit different people at different stages of their journey.

Most motivational of all, were those present, who later in life had had the call and had gone on to be selected, trained and ordained and were now involved in training or supporting candidates in training, They resonated with me, especially those whose background was not necessarily academic or with a degree or background at that level.

One candidate is a lorry driver, which seems to me to demonstrate that God is indiscriminate in who or when he calls people. God calls who he will and needs for a particular tasks or times So there is hope yet for me.

What did I get from this meeting:

Along with the benefit of meeting so many other, like minded people, I shared wth people from diverse backgrounds, most of whom I would not normally meet. From lorry driver to the Bishop himself. The bishop’s ability to speak to any single person for a prolonged period, was limited by the numbers involved. It seems to me that this sort of meeting is most useful to all of us - it helps you to appreciate that you are not struggling on your own - others share the journey, so prayer for each other and the Bishop and Diocesan staff who are sharing the journey is really important. I came away from the meeting refreshed and affirmed that I am in the right place at the moment, the discernment process is not just about testing a vocation, it is also about growing and learning about yourself and absorbing Jesus much more deeply and centrally into your whole being.

Confirmation Service at Parish Church 12th January 2011

Our benefice held a confirmation service at Bridge on Wed 12th Jan 2010. The celebrant was the Bishop of Dover. There were 25 candidates for confirmation (one with Baptism), eleven of whom were adults. The Vicar and curate, , along with a small band formed from young people in the five villages of the benefice, supported the Bishop.

The service was beautiful the Bishop was on the best of form giving a rousing sermon and encouraging both those being confirmed, those supporting them and the whole congregation to as a community to be disciples for Christ. His memorable opening comment at the start of the service was “This is God’s work”, highlighting the importance and significance of the occasion, not just for those being confirmed but for the congregation and wider community.

I found the Bishop’s participatory attitude very refreshing – we were urged to stand for those we were supporting and during the baptism of the candidate at the rear of the church, to leave our pews and to congregate around the font (difficult with such large numbers). The peace was memorable as the bishop seemed to shake the hand of everyone present (his arm must have been sore next morning).

I had not been assigned a formal role prior to the service, but found myself acting as part of the welcome team, handing out orders of service and directing candidates and their families and supporters to the correct place. During the service, I had the privilege of assisting in the distribution of wine on a side Altar with the Vicar.

The service used the 'Baptism of Christ' readings and the hymns ‘Be Thou my Vision’, ‘Be Still for the Presence of God’, ‘What a Faithful God Have I’ and ‘I the Lord of Sea and Sky’ just seemed so apt and appropriate, with music from a small band of players from the church and the organ supplementing, it made the service and singing resound and resonate with me.

I was also wonderful to see the church full, standing room only, with so many family and friends there supporting the candidates. After the service, a reception was held for greetings and meetings with old and new relationships enjoyed with a glass of wine (or orange) and nibbles.

What did I get from this service?

I came away from the service (eventually) feeling invigorated, uplifted and renewed. I had sensed during the service a powerful feeling of the Holy Spirit alongside us and perhaps the excitement of those being confirmed, but a much stronger feel of cohesion and community worship, prayers rising to heaven vibrant, heartfelt and strong. I felt warmed and comfortable and of being where I belonged – worshiping along with the community that has adopted, befriended and encouraged me so much in the past two and a half years. I am privileged to be a part of it and God has been good to me in bringing me here.