I'm a young woman training to be a priest - AMA

[humanwinginglife]

As the title says. Any questions I'd be happy to answer!

Does the Church have to house you?

Fascinating thread, thank you OP. I wish you well!

I grew up in Catholic Churches (now atheist so has been a while) and catholic school and every mass I've been to walked incense in with the priest, at lots of different churches. Never been to one without.

I wonder if it's a case by case preference thing or something and I just happened to always go to places they wanted to use it? Interesting!

Fascinating thread.

I’m going to be blunt. I think Christianity is an elaborate story to explain the mystery of life. I don’t personally believe the story (or the stories of other religions) or feel the need to follow it to connect with that mystery and sense of awe, or to do good and live in love.

But I do see that faith gives people enormous strength and moments of true joy and serenity.

And I think it’s marvellous that young women are getting in on the act! I grew up in a Catholic family and I honestly can’t understand how parishioners are just fine with listening to men banging on week in week out, for years, FOREVER, and are OK with the patriarchal nature of the institution and the disregard for women’s voices.

Why would the Roman Catholic church let a Church of Wales priest into the Vatican? Totally separate branches of Christianity.

@wellhelloitsme I grew up in Catholic Churches (now atheist so has been a while) and catholic school and every mass I've been to walked incense in with the priest, at lots of different churches. Never been to one without. it’s probably memory squishing all the experiences together (or you had a pyromaniac parish priest🤣🤣). High days and holidays usually. I notice because incense makes me faint so many “big masses” are more of an endurance exercise than religious for me.

Just checked with mum and she said we did incense it every week (altar boys swinging it as they walked up) at both the churches we used to go to - both Catholic. How strange!

Perhaps the congregation liked it? It doesn’t really matter though does it I was just pointing out that wasn’t a particular necessary part of being at a Catholic mass.

They sprinkle you with holy water fairly regularly and rub ash on your forehead on Ash Wednesday. Rarely a bishop will wash your feet….it’s a crazy Catholic world if you start to think about all the “normals” that really aren’t that normal.

Yeah I was just chatting, not thinking it was a big deal.

Not to me! I'm an Episcopalian (CoE in the US) and have had several women priests in the parishes I've attended. They've all been wonderful, kind, deeply spiritual women. It was so moving to have my kids baptized by a woman.

So thank you for answering your call😊.

Any tips on applying for a job at the Diocese? I already did it but feel like I've probably messed it up 😢 not a clergy job obvs

I have a question (I nc'ed)! The married christian youth worker at my local church tried to start an affair with me. I declined and threatened to tell his wife.

He left his job and I kept my mouth shut to save their family from pain and embarrassment... (she has a Christian job role too)

She's now doing humility talks and youth work in local churches and it all feels a bit weird to me.

If you were my (and his and his wifes too) priest, and I confided in you about this - what would you do & say?

I've always been too nervous to share this information but it's stopped me from going to church and I'm fed up of seeing them everywhere trying to evangelise everyone and he's there acting like the perfect Christian gentleman every fricking Sunday.

@Blackandwhitesocks that is very sad and concerning. If you are in the UK then most churches will have a nominated safeguarding officer. Assuming you were a member of the youth group (and even if not) that is something the church will take as a serious issue and should treat it accordingly. If it is the Church if England then I believe each diocese has a safeguarding officer if you didn't want to talk to the local church. I imagine other denominations have a similar process. Please do report this, even if it is difficult - you may be protecting someone else by doing so.

OP you surely don’t assume you need to be licensed or need a ‘dog collar’ to ‘show love/compassion 🙄🙏🏽 As St Theresa of Calcutta’s prayer puts it ‘ just do it’

Hey @HouseInChaos , I wasn't part of the youth group. I'm just a 30 Yo woman in the congregation. He is the same age as me. He's left his job now. He doesn't work in the Church (c of e) at all anymore but his wife does but they both attend every single Christian event and Church every Sunday.

I feel like he has no shame. Probably prayed once for forgiveness and carried on. Whereas I cannot stand to go back and see him or his family. Brings back a load of anxiety that I wish I never had.

It sucks

I don't think the OP in any way meant that you have to be a priest to show such things. You do however need to be ordained to administer the sacraments of the Anglican church, same as in Roman Catholicism, same as in Orthodoxy.

I wish you all the best on your journey!

You say this is a full time role, can you tell me a bit about what a day would consist of outside of normal services?

Fascinating thread. I’m not sure it’s a question exactly - I run a food bank and work a bit with various vicars/priests/etc, and I’m always curious about how they square their vocation (which I imagine is about a commitment to Christian behaviour, spreading the word etc) with the daily reality of church admin, people management, building management, financial management and not getting sucked into every drama in the community. As in, how much do you feel your day is about the former and how much about the latter? Or do you somehow manage to find one in the other?

You mentioned earlier something along the lines of following the bible and believing it etc. How do you get round passages like 1 Timothy 2:12 where woman are called not to have authority over men with teaching within a church? To me that would imply that woman can't be in positions like a priest?

You sound quite charismatic with the talk of demons and exorcism. I do very much believe the devil is waiting to prowl on us however do you not think sin is the biggest problem and he tempts us to sin and we are weak humans who are easily led? Surely that is the main focus of leading folk away from their sin and aiming to be more like Jesus?

Goldfinchonthelawn - absolutely

I think it's a very personal thing. I have the 'Vicar voice' at times but deliver in a more enthusiastic way than a lot of others I know.

In Anglicanism high church is usually called - Anglo-Catholic. It's very catholic in nature but theologies usually seem to be slightly different. It also means you can enjoy all or most of the aspects of a high mass but still take communion of a woman or indeed be the woman administering it. As you mention, 'bells and smells' as we call it are usually present. Sometimes a tabernacle and a Monstrance also.

How did you find the BAP process?

They don't have to no, it very much depends on what form of ministry you embark on - as a full time stipendiary the answer is usually yes unless you make a case otherwise.

Totally respect your view.

I'm so glad women are too!