Final preparations are being made for the vocations event Called to Serve, which takes place on Saturday 29 January at Foxhill.
The flagship diocesan event is an opportunity for individuals to explore different roles within the Church and ask questions of people already in a particular ministry.
At the time of writing, 12 spaces still remain on the one-day event for those wishing to explore in more detail God’s call on their lives.
Register for Called to Serve here
The Bishop of Stockport, Sam Corley will be leading part of the day, alongside colleagues in the Ministry Team based at Church House.
Bishop Sam says: “I like to think of vocations as a jumble of threads of all different colours and textures. Somehow what vocation does is to weave them into something useful. Vocation is about all of the different parts of who we are: our past, our present, and indeed all we long for for the future, somehow being woven together as we work out our calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s where all of the different parts of our lives find their home.”
Called to Serve will concentrate on the four licensed ministries: Pastoral Worker, Reader, Church Army and Ordained ministry, but will also include youth work, and other ministerial callings as well as callings to the community and workplace.
Director of Vocations, Sarah Fenby says: "Accepting that we have a calling can often be easy in comparison to the process of fully understanding the true nature of the role God is calling us to play, and the person God is calling us to be. This process does take time, prayer and reflection and for some, it results in a call to licensed ministry, but for many more, it releases us to be something entirely different and just as exciting. Called to Serve is for everyone, whether you are near or far on the journey of fully understanding how God is calling you to serve."
Those attending will have the opportunity to meet those who are one step ahead on the road of training and formation and by the end of the event, attendees will be clearer about how ministries differ from each other and what training is involved.
The Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie Conalty, has also spoken about sensing God’s call in her own life and the difficulties she has faced as a woman called to lead in the Church. She says: “Sometimes vocation seems clear, sometimes it’s a strong sense of calling towards something and that feels heartwarming. More often I’ve felt obstacles and so it’s been frustrating and very often I’ve resisted and put up my own barriers and dug my heels in. Most latterly I have found that vocation has led to me feeling sick – that might sound strange – but I’ve read part of a person specification or a job description and in the pit of my stomach I have been churned up. Sometimes that has lasted for months, even after being offered the role. I’m not sure what that’s about but I’ve started to recognise it. Vocation isn’t always warm and fluffy and comfortable and affirming; it can be hugely challenging.”
Register for Called to Serve
Are you up for the adventure of exploring God's call on your life? Register today by following this link.
