Young parents reflect on life in ministry

When a young parent is called to ordained ministry, it can have a huge impact not just on themselves, but on their whole family.

In interviews with four young parents who are to be ordained deacon at the end of June, the ordinands reflect on how their ministry affects their family life, and how family shapes their sense of vocation. They talk about the importance of being surrounded by supportive diocesan teams, theological colleges and worshipping communities that recognise and actively support the realities of balancing parenting and ministry.

Vicky Falvey who will serve her curacy in Fairford said, “With the support from the diocese, from friends and family, from theological colleges, I know that I made the right decision by not putting off the journey of vocation, or putting off having children, because actually doing both at the same time has enhanced my sense of calling.”

Jennifer Fellows, who will serve her curacy in Cooper’s Edge said: “You’re not just saying your yes to God. You’re saying yes on behalf of your family too. It’s a family call to mission and ministry. We want our son to be immersed in it, and he is. He asks for church everyday. His best friends are in church. I was worried about the balance of being a mum and a full time curate, but I’m comforted by the fact that, when I’m ordained as a deacon and a priest, I’m actually being ordained as a mum who’s a deacon, and a mum who’s a priest, which is freeing for me. I can do both roles.”

Harry Bennett, who will serve his curacy in St Catharine’s, Gloucester said, “One of my passions is to see young people drawn into [faith]. I think it’s a great opportunity, when you have young children, to be thinking about these questions, and how to engage with the next generation. You can take what you learn from home into the church, which is exciting.”

Leah Collins who will serve her curacy in the Stroudwater Team said, “When I started training, my son was 9 months old. He’s now 2 and a half. It’s important to make sure you have support and a good theological college who want to support you through that. My theological college were amazing and they supported my family throughout every step of the way.”

Bishop Robert said: “It is such a delight to watch these videos and to hear these stories. I know from my own experience both the challenges and delights of ministering with a young family, juggling caring for them and full-time ministry.

“My children would reflect now on the joy of vicarage life — of being part of a community and all they learned, lessons that have helped them as they have grown and begun their own careers. I know how much my children helped me keep my feet on the ground and keep connected and I am so grateful for that.

“It will be wonderful to see Vicky, Harry, Leah and Jennifer ordained alongside our other candidates this year, to be able to follow something of their journey as they share the love of God in Jesus and play their part in building the Kingdom. I hope their stories will encourage others to make their own ‘yes’ to God who calls.”

The Revd Canon Katrina Scott, Archdeacon of Cheltenham, said: “When we explore ministry (in its many forms), we explore it as the whole person that God creates us to be – and we hold our vocations alongside one another. So, it feels really important to me that as a Church we enable one another to thrive in the wholeness of our lives.

“Clergy and lay leaders are called to care for their families and friends as well as to those amongst whom they minister – and I hope that in my role as Archdeacon, I can help to encourage and enable this.”