What are you doing here?

Dear Friends,

“Right, Andrew, I don’t want to be rude but… what are you doing here?”. I sat opposite my inquisitor wondering if he meant “here”, his house, or “here” Colwall. I had, after all, invited myself to his house. He clarified: why had I given up my previous profession to move to the village and become a priest in the Church of England?

The short answer is that I feel called by God to do so. Throughout my life I have felt this call, but it wasn’t until I was finally settled into a good career, with a wonderful partner and exceptional dog, that I recognised I finally needed to risk my lifestyle and respond to it.

The process to be ordained in the Church of England is rigorous – in-depth interviews, multiple references, reflective assignments before you even get to the formal selection panel. Once recommended for training, I studied full-time at theological college before coming to Colwall. And I’m still officially training!

There are days when I see former colleagues updating LinkedIn with the career paths they’ve taken. Sometimes I long for that familiarity – after many years I was recognised in my field. Now I’m training and everything is new or unfamiliar. For somebody in their 40s this is quite unsettling.

For me, it’s fantastic. Since moving to Colwall in June last year I have experienced much for the first time – leading baptisms, funerals and school assemblies; participating in the Act of Remembrance, in Christingle, visiting our partner church in Aston … it’s a long list, with some carrying an emotional and spiritual weight I hadn’t fully understood. Following my ordination as priest later this month, I’ll take on new responsibilities, including presiding at Communion and officiating weddings.

I’m still learning. A few weeks ago, Christians celebrated Ascension and Pentecost. Ascension describes the point where Jesus, risen from the dead, finally ascends to heaven. Before ascending, Jesus commissions his disciples to spread the good news and all that Jesus had taught them.

As I continue with my training I empathise with the disciples: they are being sent out to teach and live the Gospel but without their teacher. Perhaps they felt despondent. Jesus said to them: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”. Though Jesus had ascended, he was still present. And, at Pentecost, the disciples were given the “gift of the Spirit” enabling them to reach all people.

A year into my time at Colwall and there have definitely been times when I felt ill-equipped or out of my “comfort zone”. However, I believe that God understands my abilities and limitations, that Jesus is walking with me, and the Spirit empowers and guides me.

And over the year I’ve met many people, with and without faith, who likewise took risks, learnt new skills and embraced new challenges at different stages in their lives. There are so many opportunities in Colwall and the local area to try something new, with people willing to teach and support you.

And its the willingness of local residents to help others that drew me to Colwall. Revd. Melanie had described how active and engaged people are in the community – using their skills and expertise for the benefit of others. She spoke warmly of how welcoming the village is. And this has been the experience of both myself and my partner – from villagers and church attendees alike, we have felt welcomed.

Sitting opposite my inquisitor in his house, just a month or so after moving to Colwall, I knew this was a good place to be.

Best wishes

Revd. Andrew