September’s letter to the parish comes from Rev Christine.
I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to start this letter when I was asked to write about my journey to becoming a Deacon, (a person who serves), then I thought, “yes I do” know how to start it.
I want to begin by thanking each and every one of you for all your support, encouragement love and prayers. I honestly don’t think I would have even attempted to do any of the training if it hadn’t been for your faith in me.
When I began this journey I felt a bit like Jonah, wanting to turn away and run, but then my faith got the better of me and I thought about something my dad used to say ‘…. do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own…… (Matthew 6:34).
With this in mind, and the fact that God never gives up calling us, I just thought ok go with the flow and just knuckle down and get on with it. Fortunately, it didn’t take a storm and being swallowed by a whale to accept this!
However, there was a process to go through before being accepted to train as an Ordinand (Deacon) such as interviews and having a DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands) appointed to guide me through all the stages.
Once you have completed all the interviews and attended BAP (three day residential), if you are successful the Bishop receives a report and rings you personally to say that you can go forwards for training.
My phone call came on Friday afternoon 23rd June, 2023, when I was in Royal Oldham A & E with my husband, Bob, on a corridor! I wanted to shout it out, but it wasn’t the right place for that, so I had to restrain myself and tell Bob quietly that I had been accepted and he too was really happy. I’ve got to admit my heart was racing and I felt exhilarated, so it’s a good job the nurses were not doing observations on me! God certainly does work in mysterious ways and Bob’s medical issue was sorted, but that’s another story.
After my feet had come back down to earth, the serious work began and a bit like Jonah I accepted that God really was challenging me to do something for him, to serve him and his people. Trying to ignore him doesn’t work, just read Jonah!
I’m not going to say that my training at Mirfield was easy, because when God calls you to do something he also challenges you to do more than you thought you could, and I thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience. I discovered new ways to worship and learnt more about the God in whom I trust so much.
Prior to my ordination we were whisked away after a practice at the Cathedral, on a three-day residential. It was a good reflective time, where we listened to talks and joined in services as one family, which in the eyes of God we are.
When I was thinking about my calling, I met one of the Bishops at an event in the Cathedral and told him what I was considering. I said to him that I must be mad, because people of my age were starting to take things easy, but I was considering going back into education and studying to be ordained as a Deacon! And a Deacon is a life-long position, because even Bishops are still Deacons as we all serve God and his people.
May God bless you all.
Rev Christine x
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 