Prospective Ordinand Open Day: Is God Calling you to Ministry

Turns out, the Answer may be yes.

But then, I kind of knew that anyway. This was a day being run by the Diocess where all those of us with questions can go and see people who have been through the process, where we can meet people at the same level as us, and generally chat about our experiences.

I managed to arrive late, so I manged to miss the eucarist service, which frankly sucked. I’ve no idea who it managed to take me so long to get there, but there ya go. It would have helped if I’d not got lost going around Carmarthen.

Then to add insult onto injury, though I’d managed to remember to take money, I hadn’t actually managed to take any cash, but then, I suppose, I Wasn’t expecting to have to pay for parking. Stumbling out of the Car, I ran into the Warden Of Ordinands comming out of the service, so he kindly showed me where we were going, and managed to lend me the money for the parking (which reminds me that I need to pay him back the money). It was only a quid, but it was the principal of the thing.

Next was a quick meeting with everyone, with Tea (of course). I tried to go around as many people as I possibly could, introducing myself. There were two from St. Mikes (the Church down the road), and I met a wonderful lady called Marion, a gentleman called Kerry, and a softly-spoken gentleman who’s name escapes me.

The morning was mostly consistent of a Q and A with an NSM (who’s name escapes me), and a current ordinand-in-training (or whatever they’re called). There didn’t seem to be any surprises really. The Warden of Ordinands had already explained most of it to me, there were probably a few details that I picked up on a subconcious level, but none that I recall learning that were compleatly new. Appart from, I suppose, the level of trainees that are at St Mikes, Llandaf. They seem to number about 25. Seems a bit small, so no-wonder that the Church is calling out for Ordinands.

The afternoon was an Address by Bishop Carl. It was ace. It was about our calling, and about how we go about discerning if we are called or not. The bit that remains in our head, was something that paraphrased what Marianne had said that morning. “If you feeling like a Square peg in a round-hole, then perhpas we can find a priest shape hol where you would fit.”

It was amazing.

There are two bits of the day that stick in my head. The first was speaking to a soft-spoke guy from the Armed Forces. He was looking at being a Cleric for a prison (can’t remember the name right now). He seemed to have the right kind of manner for it. He was soft spoken, but with a strong core. He should be able to deal with some of the roughest stuff out there.

I also ended up recounting my story about what got me back through the door of a Church to show the way that God moves in mysterious ways. It seemed to help. It was odd, because everyone there was really supportive, and everyone seemed to want all of the Ordinands. Again there was the cry of those that can speak Welsh. I can speak Welsh, but was half-hoping to get a chance to leave Wales, I guess I’ll go where ever He wants me.

Well, best I went and got some actual work done

BX