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

Had a visit to the theological college my DDO thinks would be a good fit on Monday and really enjoyed it. Application form was submitted earlier this morning.
15 weeks until BAP 😬😬😬

That will come around quickly, good luck! Glad you liked the college. It’s such an important choice to make.

Just had an email from the DDO's PA asking me to make an appointment to see the examining chaplain.
Currently preparing the sermon and choosing hymns for Sunday's all age worship service.

Ooh, it was me who waved to you while munching crumpets in the morning.

I was very tempted to ask if you were Mrs Tulip 😁

You should have done, one of the third years who is an ALM chaplain came over a gave me a massive hug!
Seriously though I really enjoyed it, everyone was so friendly and such a mix of people.

Haha, I know exactly who that would have been 😊
Glad you had a good morning. I have had a brilliant time there.

So I know every venue is different but those have been to BAP what couldn't you have done without whilst you were there and what did you take but didn't need?

Which venue are you going to? For me I really appreciated remembering drinks and snacks to keep in my room. I was freezing so take a cardy!

I’m at Ammerdown in Radstock near Bath

Lip balm, slippers, an ‘indoor bag’ to carry some papers/essentials in.

Snacks. Fruit. Coffee bags and decent tea bags. Light reading or listening. Slippers and a cardi. I was at one retreat house with shared loos. I really wish I had taken a dressing gown.

This is a really interesting thread. My DD is going to BAP next month and although I'm a regular church goer, the whole process is unknown to me. I'm learning as she goes along.

And want to be as supportive ( but non intrusive) as I can be. Thank you all for your practical information and insights.

Blessings to all.

Good luck to your DD, @FuzzyPuffling - how exciting for you! My parents had no idea what was going on when I was going through selection really, but I knew very well how proud they were 😌

Thank you @sixthvestibule . It certainly is exciting. And daunting (for her and for the rest of the family too!)

Of course, I think she'd be a perfect Priest, but what do I know!

For me things that have really helped is:
having people around me who listen to me talking about the stuff Ive been asked to do/ am doing especially the very challenging parts.
praying for me
keeping me supplied with chocolate and fizzy pop ( I rarely drink alcohol)
allowing me time/space/silence to process everything

I will keep her (and you) in my prayers xx

How exciting @FuzzyPuffling !

Prayers for your daughter and for you finding your way in supporting her. I agree finding out about the process is quite the learning curve.

Gosh, this is a nice thread!
I'm helping DD with a bit of childcare, the occasional meal and feeding the cat! And any mending!

We have such interesting discussions about faith, The Bible, the church, the process...she amazes me with her brains, dedication and understanding. I'm waaaaay behind her.

I will keep all of you in my prayers, wherever you are in your journey.

Got to go and see the examining chaplain next Tuesday evening -eek. Waiting on an appointment for the college interview. 13 weeks to go to BAP!

Good luck, good luck @MrsTulip .
It's about 5 weeks to DDs BAP.
I'm praying hard for all you Bappers.

Meeting with examining chaplain went well, was a bit strange as he was a previous team rector (during the time of teenage me not attending church) so was asking about a lot of people in the congregation.
Meeting tonight -the 30th anniversary of the first women to be ordained priests in the CofE for something key to the discernment process make me feel all tingly.

The tingly moments are some of the ones I treasure. I tend to feel that God knows He can get at me that way.

Glad your meeting went well. I went to a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the priesting of Li Tim-Oi earlier in the year which was similarly special.

Thanks for keeping us updated! 🙏🏼

I needed that tingly moment, as I have been self doubting more than usual the last week or so, could be due to realising that BAP is only 12 weeks away (which will fly) or that about 3/4 years ago I was looking into full time children's ministry an had loads of interviews but never offered a post.

My DD has decided that ( BAP willing) she's going to defer for a year. Good decision for her and her family, I think.

It's still exciting, and I applaud and am in awe of anyone on this journey. I know I couldn't do it, so it seems extra special to me as an onlooker. And supporter.

DDO happy with examining chaplains report, just got to finish running the lent course (last session on Wednesday), been advised to go back through all paperwork and re read on priesthood. Have another meeting with DDO at end of May and waiting on date for theological college interview.
Just mainly a case of prayer, prayer and more prayer now cos imposter syndrome has set in this last couple of weeks.