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!

So I got a maybe decision from the Bishops today. They want to see me in the next couple of weeks to explain their decision. I've been asked to do some study for 12 months as part of ongoing discernment.

I'm going to try and see my spiritual adviser next week and think and pray on it.

That's hard. It does sound as if study is something that is being picked up at the moment. I hope there is some clarity soon.

Great new mini!

monty, that sounds hard. Praying the meeting is soon and you can find peace in the news.

Monty I am sorry the news wasn't quite what you were after. Make sure you allow yourself to feel your emotions, you don't have to be fine about it right away. Take comfort in the news it isn't a 'no', little comfort right now I am sure. Keep talking to God, rail at him if you need to.

I hope your meeting is soon and makes your position clearer. I am keeping you in my prayers and hope you can feel God's peace in time.

I understand a little about how you feel. My DH has been through a similar decision.

God has a path for each of us. At times the path seems difficult to tread but at a later stage you’ll understand why he sent you that way.

God bless

Hi Monty, sorry things aren't as decisive as you hoped. I have a friend who had to do an extra year's study before being recommended - he's now been a vicar for 12 years! I really hope and pray that when you get to hear more it will seem sensible, manageable and even right. Praying for peace in the midst of all the horrid bits too.x

I had a long talk with our vicar last night over a few beers. I'm okay with a maybe, but until I talk to the Bishop I won't know why it is a maybe. Thanks for all your comments prayers x

Hey monty that must be difficult, not knowing. It sounds like its more than a maybe - more like a probably - so long as the study goes well - kind of thing? either way I'm sorry, because it must be disappointing. When do you see the Bishop?

Hello everyone! Hope it's ok to join in? It's been really helpful reading this. Well done minicooper for starting the thread and the successful BAP outcome! You have sown the seed!
Monty, don't be too disheartened. More study always helps!
I, too, am on the Discernment process and am having an 'overwhelmed with it all' day. I am at the VA stage and have another meeting soon when things hopefully may move on! I've been personally discerning for 4 years including independent theological study. Having ds was a hiatus but the nagging wouldn't go away! I'm a bit pessimistic about the whole thing; doubting if I'll ever get to a BAP- I need a Faculty plus the Vicar in charge of our parish (sort of interregnum) is Forward in Faith which, as I am a woman, feels awkward. What sort of support do others get from their parish priest? I'm so glad I found this thread. My experience is of a lonely, confusing process where those in charge don't seem to provide options for fellow discernees to communicate. Have you found this in your diocese? I trust in God working his will but it's the humans who are supposed to be listening I worry about!

Welcome JSunbeam

I can’t comment personally on the discernment process as it’s my DH who is an ordinand, not me! But I can say the process was not a quick one. It has taken over 10 years for him to reach this stage.

I think at the last count he had 30 plus interviews with his priest, DDO etc. I’m his experience, they don’t send you to BAP unless they feel you are fully prepared. In our diocese, you have to complete a project too in preparation.

I wish you well in your discernment and pray God’s path for you becomes clearer with time.

Hi @JSunbeam, welcome. The process varies so much from one diocese to another so if you're interested in specifics it might help to tell us where you are if you're up for that, (or DM if you prefer). I'm in Southwark. I think the FiF thing varies too - lots of women priests say that their priest / bishop is wonderful despite that, but I have to admit I don't get the theological contortion they must have to go through to simultaneously believe that a woman is called, and that women can't be priests!

I get a lot of support from my vicar but we are mates anyway and she is totally into the whole thing for me so I'm not sure how typical that is. What I do know is that round here at least you have to have a proper sponsor incumbent as it were, so if you are in interregmum they may well send you to a sending church placement. But I guess if that hasn't come up already it may well not do for you.

As for meeting others treading the same path, I did a diocese discipleship course last year - and several people on it were in the process, or thinking of it, so I've made some connections that way. But that is more luck than anything; there doesn't seem to be any way for anyone who didn't do that to meet others. I agree it would be good if there were!

Do tell us more about your journey so far. I've got one more meeting with my VA to go through her report, but she's already told me she's going to refer me to the next stage. Next up for me 9 months (at least) with the DDO or ADO... it's certainly not quick..

Hi there JSunbeam, welcome to the fold

So, I met with both Bishops. An interesting meeting which was long and useful. The maybe was from the Bishops advisers, but the Bishops themselves want me to start training in January on part time basis with a view to a 2 year post grad diploma starting the following year!!! They apologised for an unclear and confusing letter ... crikey lots of praying needed now

That’s cool monty, great news! You are often in my prayers.

Fantastic news Monty

Good is good 👍

Doh!

God is good 👍