Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander...

My Reader Ministry course officially started some time in September with an induction. I was so excited as I drove from work up to Chesterfield, via a nice quiet half hour to myself for some tea at Sainsbury’s in Ripley. I love to learn. And I love to discover, and to share. Starting my Reader training is the result of a couple of years’ yearning and discerning…mixed in with all the other busy, family and work stuff. I had heard an audible call in 2003 to become a nurse. It was a call that surprised me, seemingly, more than it did other people, and I still know it is my calling. But in 2015, after the death of my Great Uncle Albert, who had been a great spiritual inspiration to me all my life, I began to talk to God and hear from him about a new calling…a new song he wanted to put in my mouth. I had been developing a ministry of a sort in my church for a while… suggesting worship songs, leading a women’s bible study group, developing new friendships and working with the young children (although this is definitely not my primary are of gifting!). I spoke to Stephen (Rector) and Geraldine (DDVO) about Calling, and realised that it was either ordained or not ordained. I had thought there would be much more choice! In February 2016 I went to the final service of the vicar who married my husband and me, before he retired, in South Wales. I knew from what he said about ministry that I had to obey a call and think seriously about my own ministry. I arrived at my interview for Reader ministry confident that, despite a stressful few weeks - which had begun with a tragedy and culminated in what felt like some huge, upsetting and unplanned life shifts for our family – it was the right time for me to pursue my calling to a ministry that I know will be broad, challenging and fun. (I hate the word ‘rewarding’!) On my way to the interview I thought about Maz, a Police Community Support Officer who fairly recently left our village for a new home. Maz had a huge impact on the community, being a visible and approachable representative for the Police. School children knew her, and knew that they could always approach her if they either wanted or needed to. She would drop in to Church on a Sunday morning when she was on duty; have a coffee and then stand at the back for the first fifteen minutes or so. I felt that I wanted to help our community to see a tangible link between the Church and the rest of the village…to make more links…to have people know they can come to the Church whenever. To be a light in the darkness. A couple of years ago a local young man went missing, and was subsequently found dead. In their grief his family came to the church one night to gather, to play music and light candles, and they asked the Rector to be there with them, to pray. They had no hope, and they came to the church. A light in the darkness. I have now started my training, and attended two study meetings. Difficulties in the logistics of the meetings, and getting back to grips with studying aside, I am becoming clearer about what I want and need from my training. I want to see the purpose of God in my generation… I want people to discover that God loves them and they have an identity and purpose which he has made for them. I want to see people connecting with God, in positive relationships, enjoying worship, being empowered to be brave and passionate people who bring the love of Jesus to their community; and above all I want to see them know the acceptance of God. My ministry will involve, as well as preaching and leading worship, engaging with and involving families in the life of the church (such as in our Christmas and Easter family events in the last year, but also at the school gate and at home); outreach, especially to those families, perhaps in preparing for Baptism; children’s work (although I don’t feel I am particularly gifted in this area, but committed to it due to my own young children); involvement in the prayer life of the church; PCC.