Starting training for ordination in the CofE

[MrsTulip]

As promised new thread now based on training over the next three years.

Had my college induction so brain has been overloaded with information. Had a couple of meetings with potential placements but for various reasons they weren't the right fit/place so have some more lined up this week.
Need to do some reading and prep ahead of this weeks lessons.

Hurrah! Partly placemarking, ( so i can tell DD what it's like) but mostly very interested in your experience, and praying for you.
Hope you get placement sorted soon, and that it's a good supportive one.

The church/team the DDO originally had in mind would have been amazing but they already have 4 curates and two ordinands, although 2 curates are at the point of looking for their own first parish.

Yikes! Is that huge church or just has a great training attitude/ reputation?
How far will they be expecting you to travel?

A bit of both. Not sure how far I'm expected to travel but college know I don't drive. Most of the ones I'm looking at this week are under 20 minutes on the bus.

Here's hoping you find a perfect fit that really values you.

Sorry I didn't manage to catch up with you yesterday (was very tempted to walk up to random people and just say "MrsTulip?"), but I'm sure we'll meet soon

I love this!
I want you to be the Terrible Twins of vicar training!

Terrible twins could be fun, but I'm not in training. I'm an independent student starting the final year of an MA.

If you'd have said Mrs Tulip without saying mumsnet I probably would have looked at you very confused!
I'm in on the 16th for my first session so hopefully meet you then

Thank you the one I went to earlier this evening was very positive, we have agreed to have a few days to pray about it before we make any final decisions.

I hope you find a good placement. A church with four curates and two ordinands is an outlier and you won't get the experience you need either practically and formationally. The reality of ministry is one priest with up to ten churches and an administrator if you are lucky. It is unfortunate that so many ordinands come from big churches, have placements in large churches, do their curacies in large churches and then find there are very few jobs in large churches. It is beyond a culture shock at that stage.

If you can get a placement in a medium or small church where you can experience and explore ministry in a more diverse setting it will give you the space to explore and ask questions. I used to get placement students who had never experienced sacramental ministry or parish ministry. Good luck.

Placement sorted- exciting!
Although no longer in the run in for the prize of last person in the cohort to sort out their placement.

Exciting! Can you tell us more? ( without compromising anonymity)

Team of four churches,but will mainly be based at two all 4 easily do able on the bus even on Sunday.
One has a congregation of about 50-60 and gets a lot of weddings, baptisms, funerals and children/parents wanting school places. Very well known locally.
The other is much smaller and doesn't have a church school, but has an older congregation and gets a lot of funerals.
Both have community halls being used by various groups throughout the week (including guiding and scouting groups).Spot the person who has previously done a lot with children and families!
Both have at least one mid week services and an evening service. Neither of the two have a care home so will need to spend some time in one of the other parishes in the team for that.
The rector said he will provide lots of opportunities for me to be challenged and gain experience in the areas for growth that my panel report picked up on.

So not a very successful self study day so far -neighbours screaming at each other, local coffee shops are just too loud and the library was like a zoo!
Everything I'm trying to read is not sinking in, so going to stop and bake a cake and try again later this evening.

Don't worry, you'll soon get into the swing
of it. See you in the morning!

See you in the morning

So a busy week. Struggled with the reading and in college learning session as I've not formally studied in over 20 years and previously had more teacher input, so going to make an appointment with the study support person.
Also struggled to block out noise when trying to study this week, it's been nice and sunny here so everyone has been doing diy/gardening. I'm waiting on some noise cancelling headphones to arrive from Amazon tomorrow.
Looking forward to a busy day in parish on Sunday (mainly observing 8am BCP HC, 9:30 pre school/family friendly service, 11am parish communion and 1pm baptism)

Lovely but busy day with the 4 service but it was very affirming that this is the place God wants me to train in with this particular placement supervisor. Everyone was lovely and welcoming. Just need to learn everyone's names and starting getting to know them now.

That sounds really positive @MrsTulip . So pleased for you.
Do you have a favourite service?

It's hard to say. If I had to choose one it would have to be the 8am Holy Communion using the BCP so very traditional and not what I'd usually do but it was knowing that others had been in communion services like this before and will continue to do just felt very special this morning.

Oh yes, I absolutely get that....that feeling if the thread of history still running in the same way, and the hundreds of years of prayers of the faithful rising in the same way.

Great day in college but worn out now. Walked back in the house about 7pm so going to have food and go to bed as it's a placement day tomorrow.

As someone in a parish who has just recruited a new vicar I’m really interested to follow your journey! Will be praying for you. How are the noise headphones? 🎧