Anyone willing to hold my hand during discernment process?

[Minicooper]

I'm exploring a call to ordination in the Church of England - met the DDO before Christmas and have a meeting with the bishop's advisor tomorrow to begin the process of applying for an archbishop's faculty as I'm divorced and remarried.

I'd love some support and advice if anyone's been through similar?

Thanks in advance!

May be a bit different as Church in Wales but if you are divorced or married to a divorcee you have to apply to the bishop to be allowed to go forward to the selection process. They talk to ex partner and people who knew you all at time to check stories are accurate. To check you weren't implicit in the reasons for the marriage failing and bringing the church into disrepute for example. There are also guidelines that you can't go forward for selection until a few years after remarrying I think to ensure new marriage is working.

Should say mine was comparatively easy as DH had been divorced long time before I knew him but they can be very painful processes and a faculty is not guaranteed - I know of people who have had them refused.

I'm also church in wales. Thanks tiggles that's really helpful. Can I message you? I don't want to hijack this thread.

Of course :-)

Thank you Tiggles I have sent you a PM.

Hello, Eagledwings, sounds like we're at a similar stage. No idea yet how things will go with my faculty - I found things very difficult before Christmas when I was having to compete all the paperwork and provide referees, but I'm feeling more relaxed now that it's done and trusting that this is another part of the process to discern if this potential way ahead is of God. Just waiting on Him and trusting for now.

Thanks for your prayers. I had a fab meeting with my ddo this morning - our first meeting and I am so thankful for him - he was approachable, encouraging and wise. He feels like a safe pair of hands, so thank you anyone who prayed, much appreciated!

Really pleased to hear that

It's been ages, but progress is being made! I got my faculty through last week, so it's good to know that there should be no impediment to ordination in that front. Also I met my vicar yesterday to talk about trading from my church and he seems open to this, so it feels things are heading in the right direction. Anyone got a BAP coming up?

Oops, training, not trading from my church...

I've heard there are no BAPs till Easter 2018. I have a couple of friends who managed to get into the extra one in July but they seem to be filling up very quickly.

Doesn't the timing of BAP vary by Diocese?

My vicar, without any comment, emailed me a tweet about a vocations fair on Tuesday... she didn't send it to anyone else. I can't go though. Or not for more than a few minutes on my way home from work.

Does it? I thought they were national.

I "accidentally" ended up on a vocations course for a few weeks. Just to make sure they had enough people, you know!?!

BAPs used normally to run from end of September to end of June, because you have to be through a BAP by end of June to start training in Sept/Oct. I don't know if that's changed, though it would be a bit high pressure to have them all in the summer.

I think there are plans for diocesan selection procedures for locally deployed clergy but not sure if they've actually started yet.

Edd not surprised to hear you vicar's pointed you in the direction of a vocations event.

That's interesting, Caulkhead - one to raise with my DDO this week... I heard back in March that all the BAPs were already full for a Sept 2017 start... The recruitment drive must be working - just need a few more BAPs to keep up with demand...

I emailed a long letter to my vicar yesterday, and she replied (positively).
OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE?? 😱

Edd what have you done indeed!
As a now curate of 3 days... I think a good thing

Edd I think a good thing too. But there are lots of opportunities in the process for stepping back if it all gets too much.

I'm going to a BAP on Monday! I was on the waiting list when MinDiv decided to set up extra panels, so the timing feels right. I'm excited but don't mind admitting that I'm also a little terrified! I have learned to trust the process as much as possible even though it is a little mad at times! I've definitely grown in patience and prayer!! Prayers for your continued journey xx

Lookout how wonderful. Exciting and scary all at the same time. The main thing is to be yourself and trust God. Prayers for you!

Ooh will be praying for you and the discernment team Lookout.

tiggles 3 days! Wow. Hope all is going well. What's your training incumbent like?

lookout exciting!! Prayers...

Wow, lookout, praying for you next week. Hope you have a positive BAP and feel God's peace all the way through.x

Well done, Edd, that first step can be scary, but I agree with Niminy, it's such a long process - there's ample opportunity for you or others to question whether you're on the right lines. Knowing that gave me the courage to keep exploring...