My Christian journey began with baptism as an infant and I was brought up within a Christian family. As I look back, I notice how often God works through people. My father was Head of the Church of England Primary School which I attended. Music was a large part of school life with my father providing piano accompaniment to hymns and various ambitious musical productions. Music  continues to be a means of expressing emotion and devotion.

My Cornish grandmother was a key figure in my early faith journey. She was very devout and took me to church to change altar frontals, which she did even on minor feast days! She instilled in me a love for the house of God and finding him in ordinary times and simple tasks.

In common with many teenagers, I had several years when I rarely went to church. I did opt to take R.S. at A-Level, the first year of which covered the Synoptic Gospels, which I grew to love. The teacher encouraged open discussion and welcomed my habit of asking difficult questions! He saw, and very gently encouraged and supported, a growing faith in me.

It was an easy decision to study theology at university in Lampeter, mid-Wales. In addition to my studies, I became very involved in the life of the College Chapel and was confirmed during my first year. A number of people mentioned ordination, but I always dismissed the idea. My self-sufficient and strong-willed nature means I tend to ignore God’s call and so he nags me until I do listen. He works through people, prayer, silence and situations; coming to me as I am, with a level of persistence, tolerance and love only he can have.

I spent a year doing voluntary work, first as a carer for a lady in Bristol with advanced M.S. and then as a teaching assistant in St. Rose’s Special School in Stroud. The hours in Bristol were long and the work demanding, yet caring for another person in this way fostered a sense of humility and service, whilst also forming a close friendship. We spent a great deal of time laughing, even (perhaps especially) when things were difficult and her prognosis poor.

My time in Stroud also involved quite a bit of physical care for the children in our class but, above all, it gave me a love for teaching and for seeking varied means of communicating and engaging with people (and God). The story of  Paul’s conversion always reminds me of the dramatic reconstruction our class did in an assembly which was nearly ruined by one child deliberately pressing the wrong button on his electronic voice-box and making us laugh uncontrollably (‘I want to go to the toilet’ instead of ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’). 
 
I went to St. Michael and All Angels Theological College in Cardiff for two years and this was a time of intense spiritual and personal formation. Yet again, God provided people to support and challenge me, sometimes in unexpected ways; not least David, who became my husband!

I was ordained deacon aged 23 and spent four years as Assistant Curate of Sketty, Swansea. My incumbent was very supportive of my diaconal ministry. Unfortunately, the latter part of my curacy was very difficult after he was sent to prison on charges of sexual abuse and the people needed a great deal of love and support. Strangely, it never made me regret going there and I always knew God wanted me there and worked through me (and sometimes despite me).

We moved to Sussex fourteen years ago when David became Rector of the  wonderful Benefice of Albourne with Sayers Common and Twineham, who have loved and supported us and our three children through David’s health problems.  I started lecturing at the now University of Chichester twelve years ago gradually increasing my hours and responsibilities. I love teaching and believe it is fundamental to my calling, but alongside that came other things, particularly vocations work with students and others in the diocese. For the last year or so I have chaired the College of Deacons in the diocese.

Defining the diaconate can be difficult - like trying to hold onto a slippery eel! Some common images can be problematic, for example, the term ‘servant’ tends to evoke an image more akin to slavery than the radical servanthood of Christ  the diaconate embodies. 

For me, diaconal ministry is akin to an eagle (a bird mentioned many times in the bible). Eagles are quite solitary birds, but are fiercely loyal to their mate and always return to their nest. They have a keen eye, searching out, swooping down and carrying their prey back to the nest. Eagles are known for flying to inaccessible places and soaring in the air. An eagle is the traditional symbol for John the evangelist and is often incorporated into lecterns because its outstretched wings represent the spread of the Gospel. The deacon is the minister of the Gospel, teaching and proclaiming in word and action. You are called to go out and search out the lost and needy, swooping in when needed and bringing those needs back to the church. Sometimes it can seem a lonely ministry, but you always return to the nest of the church and work closely with other ministers - your companions. You nurture your ‘young’ with Word and Sacrament. Sometimes too, you have the privilege of soaring in the heavens, simply feeling held by God and basking in his presence!

I firmly believe God has called me to this new role of Ministry Development Officer and know that he will always be there to guide and sustain me.