Starting training for ordination in the CofE

[MrsTulip]

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

The noise headphones seem to be doing the trick, although with the bad weather here today it's a lot quieter anyway.

So had three mornings in parish this week, because that allowed me to see a fair bit of what goes on.
Observed a rather large (standing room only in church) funeral -bit strange being at a funeral of someone you don't know.
Went to the church school to plan the EYFS harvest collective worship for next week that will happen with parents attending.
Observed the KS2 children coming into church for collective worship (the school comes into church for worship every week and rotate so one week will be infants and one week will be juniors), actually looking forward to leading this in a few weeks time!
And then went to a pensioners coffee morning today -that was exhausting (considering it was only introducing myself to people)

Got home about 12:30 so will have lunch and down time until 1:30. Then crack on with a few hours studying.
Tomorrow is my day off and Saturday is my full day study day, before going to the other one of the 2 churches for the service on Sunday.

My placement supervisor has been brilliant helping me settle in and get to know key people this week.

Over at the other church today so just the one service. Area dean was there as he lives in the parish and is on annual leave. He was lovely and encouraging and had remembered me from some children's ministry meetings last year.
Supervisor asked me to get up and introduce myself which was fine, more tired than last week, not sure why, but have spent the afternoon slobbing in front of the tv.

It's a lot to take on in a couple of weeks you're allowed to be tired. And a change of perspective and responsibility. I'm guessing it's not like just " going to church"!

Went to pick up a set of robes (cassock and surplice) yesterday because they use them all the time at my placement church, and I tried them on this evening and was actually feeling ok about wearing them until DS age 10.5 said "mum you look like you have put the bed sheet over your head"

Do you feel "Proper Vicar" in your robes?

Nope I prefer being in civvies, doesn't help that there's a lot of fabric (been assured this is normal) and my best friend said my surplice makes me look like a ghost!
Sure i will get used to them soon enough

As a choral singer, I rather like robes. You can wear what you like under them ( I once wore full can can costume under mine to sing a wedding...long story!) and they are very cosy in the winter! 😁

I've known clergy who throw them on over their pjs when they have an 8am communion service

Well, I survived wearing robes and lay deaconed two Holy Communion services and a baptism today. Absolutely loving placement, the study/college side of things is taking time to get to grips with as not formally studied in over 20 years but praying I will start to feel better with it soon.

Busy week this last week, so as it's my day off today I'm staying in bed for a bit longer, then going out for lunch.
Got to assist with a burial of ashes earlier in the week which was a privilege.
School collect worship (assembly) next week, my placement supervisor says this isn't his strength and isn't keen on it but I love doing it as it was a huge part of my ministry before becoming an ordinand. I also need to write what will be my first sermon in placement church, which I will then preach on the 20th.

Preached first sermon in placement church yesterday and it went well. Lots of lovely feedback with some helpful pointers for next time.
And although there's been a few bumps in the road, I can now officially say I've survived my first half term as an ordinand.

Well done @MrsTulip . Is it what you expected? Or better or worse?

Placement has been better than expected.
College has been tough but I knew it would be as I've not studied in over 22 years (and it was a vocational qualification rather than traditional academic A-level, but then that's just me) and I learn better through doing and practicing/ experiencing.

That sounds wonderful Mrs T.
And I will always have a preference for a vicar who is in tune with their congregation over an academic.

I'm checking in from your other thread. Wow, how far you have come! I'm pleased to hear you are enjoying placement. Studying is tiring but it will all be worth it in the end.

The studying clicked a bit better this week. Need to get on with writing an oral presentation which will be assessed.
I also have a magazine article and a collective worship to do for placement.
im preaching in the other one of the two churches in the team I’m placed at, on 24th November so it’s quite busy at the moment.

It does sound busy! I hope you're also getting time for yourself, for rest and reflection. And to catch up with chores!

Had our first college residential weekend so lots of stuff to reflect on and work through especially around formation. Need to finish the stuff for my oral presentation but taking it slowly this week and on light duties in placement as although the weekend was amazing it was also draining.

It’s fascinating to follow your story. I am so in awe of vicars, they give so much of themselves to others.
There have been vicars who have made a big difference (positive) in my life. I hope they know it but I guess they might not as I’m not very forthcoming!

oral presentation finally wrote (I'm the type of person who needs it wrote down word for word) just got to deliver it in class on Monday.
Preaching at the other church in the team I'm placed with in the morning and feeling really nervous.

I'm sure you'll do wonderfully! You've put so much effort and energy in thus far. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck for tomorrow. Don't forget, everyone listening wants you to succeed!

How did the oral presentation go?

Both the preaching and the oral presentation went well. Been told that have passed the oral presentation but final mark won't be known just yet as have to submitted the notes I used.
From the verbal feedback from preaching the congregation said it was really good, however I would have said that it was ok, not the worst I've ever done but I've done better previously, in my sending church and the other church in our team.