I’m a priest - ask me anything!

[RevInTheHouse]

I’m a fairly young (and quite normal I think) Church of England priest. Am married with children

Really enjoying this thread. I want to start going to (CofE) church but feel out of my depth with theology-I'm an academic and like to know what's going on. Apart from scripture, what should I read? Must be good prose, after slogging through so much study I've no patience for dry writing

(Also I've just had a baby and am worried people will think I'm doing it all for the schools!)

What do you believe will happen when we die if we have followed what turns out to be the "wrong" religion.

I'm interested in if you believe the same as I do (RC)

EyeRolls

Yes often!

The doctrine of hell is interesting- is a physical place or a spiritual place? Many understand hell as eternal separation from God.

I personally believe hell to be a state of one’s mind that’s created by our thoughts ie fears, ignorance, negativity etc. Just like the hell, Robin Williams characters wife finds herself in, in “ what dreams may come.”
Which is why some people use the term “ Hell on Earth.”

To me, we are always connected to God as well as being a part of God, so we are never truely separated. It’s just like an internet connection, sometimes we are logged in and connected to our spirituality and the source “ God” and othertimes we are are busy offline but it doesn’t mean the connection isn’t available to us.

What support do you receive when supporting people in very difficult situations? Emotional support, supervision, people to talk to about what you've heard/seen etc

ElinorCadwaller

It depends what you’re interested in. I think understanding scripture is important, especially context and authorship. I don’t make my sermons too academic but I do try to addresss things such as original language, context and various interpretation. I’ll have a look on my book shelves and come back to you....

JustLikeTheySaid

I have a mentor and a spiritual director. They do different things and work well. I am also a spiritual director and a mentor to some others too. We also have regular ministry team meetings.
It works well for accountability and general support.

Limpopobongo
What is "Gods grace..."???

Just seen this and realised I’ve not answered. I’m on my way out and I’ll be back later (with another inadequate very human answer to a big question - sorry!)

What would be your advice for a new Ordinand who is also a woman, under 25 with a young family?

@Revinthehouse I just wondered, what is your average day like? What sort of timetable do you follow?

JustLikeTheySaid

There really is no average day but I always have stuff to do. I tend to keep one day a week for admin/ sermon writing, I try to visit at least 1 person a day but often more. Funerals and funeral visits are a significant part of my role too. I attend a few meetings a week, community and church groups, school work (which is quite a lot as I go into 3 schools). I have another significant part of my ministry but I don’t want to out myself by saying what it is as there aren’t many women of my age/ description so I’ll be easily identifiable!

sparklydust

Be yourself. Be prepared to be patronised at times, find safe places to rant, grow and flourish but don’t conform to other people’s unrealistic and misjudged expectations, and remember to keep praying- God called you as you are and loves you as you are.

JustLikeTheySaid
I spend most of my time with people in the largest variety of circumstances that you could ever imagine!

Thanks revinthehouse, that's good advice

sparklydust
Are you the ordinand you refer to in your post?

Thank you so much for this thread- it has been so interesting. Your answers are well thought through and lovely to read.

My DH is an ordinand and starts training in September. I'm currently expecting our second child and have been concerned about the impact on our family life and whether the children and I will see him. I am also concerned about our personal life and so due to my wishes we decided not to go residential. I'm a teacher and want to keep my own identity and not become 'the vicar's wife'. Any advice on how to ensure I keep this? Any advice for a young family? We're both in our late 20s. Thanks :-)

revinthehouse - I am indeed

sparklydust

You’ll be in my prayers xx

What do you do when you feel like God hasn't forgiven you, even when you have asked Him to?

dreamyflower
We moved to train residentially, moved for curacy and then moved again here. I am definitely planning not to move again now until dc have finished school and am luckily in a post that I can stay in longer term.

Each time we’ve moved it’s been fine as the dc were younger, we’ve always moved to nicer places (doubdsshallow ut it’s fabulous for the family where we are now) and my dh’s job can easily transfer. He’s always worked full time and retained his own identity and friends. He attends church but isn’t overly involved.
I’d say that you may find others put expectations on you as a clergy spouse but that these are often their projections of what you should be (I have this as a vicar too often to do with the fact I’m a woman!) You are you and although in some ways you’ve ‘signed up’ to support dh, you have not signed up to leave your life and identity behind xx

dreamyflower

Also my dc have fairly normal lives despite my job! Their friends from school come over and don’t seem to care that I’m the vicar!

I’ve also kept in very good contact with my friends as it’s harder to make friends in parish (sparklydust I’d say that to you too)

revinthehouse thank you, it's very much appreciated xx

revinthehouse I have a few more questions if I may?! Ha!

• What's your view on same sex marriage and the biblical scriptures for and against?

• Do you believe in the spiritual world literally, and if so, did you encounter any 'problems' along your journey to the priesthood?

• When did you receive your calling?

Sorry if you've already answered these!

I'm intrigued that you're married to an atheist! Doesn't that bother you? Do you argue?