Starting the discernment process in the CofE

[MrsTulip]

For a few years now God has been telling me he wants more from me, but that's all he's saying. He hasn't yet revealed what more is, then over the last 18 months a few friends and people I know from currently serving in children's ministry have mentioned I should consider ordination. Strangely this hasn't freaked me out like I thought it would but I do have a lot of questions and uncertainties about it, I feel this may be the way God wants me to go.
For a short while I did think it might be a call to reader ministry and I asked the vicar at a school I'm connected to (not my vicar or my child's school) a few questions about it.
I've also spoke to my own vicar about a placement in another church but have said I want this to hep me develop my current role.
I don't know why but I'm finding it hard to be totally honest with those around me and say outright I think God wants me to start the formal discernment process. Other than praying (cause I'm already doing tonnes of that) has anyone any advice of how to approach my vicar? I also for reasons that would be too outing don't want to talk my church warden. Thanks

What a send off! I think you're going to have a great time training, and be a wonderful leader for the church. Enjoy your summer...and relax!

Just worked out that after 40 years I only have 5 more Sunday's in my current church.
Wish I knew where I was going on placement, but not been told yet, might end up church surfing while.

Do you get any choice in where you go? Distance from home/style of worship/ inclusiveness etc?

I’ve not been told but my diocese knows that I don’t currently drive so hopefully not too far from home

Well placement discussions have started but I can’t take the placement that’s been suggested as while public transport looks good in the area through the week, the first bus into the area on a Sunday morning isn’t until 10:30! Not going to work when the main service starts at 9:30. Back to the drawing board it is.

Oh that's a bummer. There's such an assumption that everyone drives. Hope you get a good alternative soon.

I was told that getting through selection was conditional on being able to drive. I had to quickly pass my test in order to start training (which turned out to be quite the saga) and take out a loan from the diocese to get a little car.

It was one of the first questions I asked at my first ever discernment meeting. Thankfully my college is really easy to get to on the train and my diocese is very compact and most of it is easily accessible by public transport (just not the part they wanted to send me to on a Sunday). The curate in my current church doesn't drive and she manages exceptionally well so it is doable, although I do plan to learn to drive in curacy.

So trying to enjoy my last few weeks in my sending church but church warden is being a challenge trying to get me to give up some of my holiday (I'm not actually away just taking and trying to enjoy some much needed down time) to move my groups stuff from one cupboard to another, she is also saying that as I am no longer a member of the church (I will be continuing to run my group) my group will have a 30% rent increase. She also keeps pulling her face and moaning loudly in earshot of me every time someone says anything nice to me. It's like she can't cope with not being the centre of attention. Last week it was one of our youths 18th Birthday so people were wishing him a happy birthday on the WhatsApp group and she then posted a picture of her certificate from the safeguarding course (we have all been asked to do the course) saying yey I've completed it!

Sorry, will stop moaning now, although it does feel better to get it off my chest.

Some people are just miserable so and sos. You've obviously got a prize one there, but imagine feeling like that all the time.
Keep smiling!

So everything is starting to feel that bit more real now. Had my welcome pack in the post yesterday and emails with a lot of information earlier this evening.

Oh that's really getting there. How exciting! I hope you're feeling very positive about it all...it's a tremendous thing!

That is very exciting indeed. I'll look forward to meeting you at the Commencement Eucharist in a few weeks.

So this Sunday (25th) will be my last Sunday in my sending church. It's gone really quick from getting the BAP result to saying goodbye to the church I've worshipped at all my life.

That must be really discombobulating. What a huge change...but you are moving forward and soon new and wonderful things will fill the gap. Good luck!

Thank you. Although it will be a huge change I feel like now is the right time to move on. Even if I hadn't been recommended for training, I would be considering moving on for various reasons.

Hope they give you a lovely send off on Sunday. Exciting times.

As I’m currently children and families ALM I will be preaching/ reflecting on my time in this role and there’s a bring and share lunch after the service

So I had my final service with my sending church this morning which was lovely, got a great send off. Not sure where I will be worshipping next week (waiting to organise placement, talks have started so just have to wait!)
I have the commencement Eucharist and induction at the start of September, so I will update you all then (and then start a new thread - starting training for ordination in the C of E)
But for now thanks to each and everyone of you for all your prayers, love and support, it's meant/means a lot xx

So lovely to hear your update and I'm delighted you're going to do a new thread for your training. I'm very interested and invested in your progress. Have a great anticipatory week, and I hope you hear about your placement soon.

I’ll look out for your new thread, I’m getting a placement student to supervise so your experiences may help me get things right for them x