I was invited to be a speaker at a Mothers’ Union meeting earlier this year to explain my life journey. Subsequently I was asked to write down my talk for the E-News and this is a potted history of my journey to Ordination, including secular life experiences as well as spiritual.
I am what is known as a Cradle Christian being baptised at three weeks old and confirmed at 13 by the then Archbishop of York – Dr. Donald Coggan. I attended Sunday School and church as my Dad was a sidesperson so I had experience of the Book of Common Prayer, Sung Eucharist and Evensong from an early age.
My first church experiences were as an Anglo-Catholic, complete with what is commonly called “bells and smells.” My main influence in my life at that time was my Nana – she was a deeply religious person and she lived out her faith in many practical ways. I understood what it was like to see Christ working in someone’s life and the effect it could have on other people by words and actions. I was deeply upset when she died when I was thirteen. I used to stay overnight with her on a regular basis and one night I had a dream / vision of seeing an angel at the foot of my bed and ever since I felt as though I had someone watching over me and that I had a destiny to follow.
Like many adolescents I questioned my faith and joined a youth group at school, to be able to explore my faith and beliefs, with fellow pupils. However, I did not stop attending church throughout this time. A key factor in keeping my links with church was I learnt the art of bellringing, (campanology), which I still practise today.
Finishing school after A Levels, I left home at 19 to work for a national retail chain. I found attending church was a lifeline when moving to a new place and bellringing provided a social life too. I worshipped at a variety of different churches in the places I lived, whilst working as a business manager for the next ten years.
When I married in 1986, attending church and being involved in the various aspects of church activities continued to be a central part of my life. My children were baptised and we settled into family life – seven houses in eleven years from Halesowen to Horwich to Worcester to Devon to Hampshire and back to the North West to Egerton, all due to my husband Tony’s career moves.
In the 1980’s becoming ordained as a woman was still only a subject for debate and although it was something I did think about, it was just not possible. When it became a reality in the mid 1990’s, I was busy supporting Tony, working part-time and helping to bring up our family.
When I returned to Bolton, I studied for a degree in Business Studies, fulfilling an ambition I had held since I was 18 and building on the practical experience I had gained over the previous twenty years. I then completed a PGCE in Business Education and, after gaining experience as a teaching assistant, went on to teach Geography and Economics at Bedford High School in Leigh, before moving shortly afterwards to Canon Slade School. I spent eighteen years there teaching Years 7–13. Teaching to me, was a vocation, and I completed an MA in Education to give my practice a strong theoretical foundation. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in teaching and was involved in many extracurricular activities, including competitions and several overseas school trips. I became Head of Subject and Head of Year in the Sixth Form, and the experience I gained in both roles proved invaluable when my life changed again.
I could not see myself retiring, but life was changed for everyone with the Covid pandemic. A whole raft of reasons came together in 2021 that made me decide to retire and I had already gone three years over teacher retirement age. I did agonise over the decision but finally decided to hand in my notice in May 2021. That day, I went for a walk when I came home from work – a necessary habit for me. I often did and still do this, when I need space and time to talk to God, particularly enjoying spending time in His creation. Following a favourite route, I walked to Dunscar Woods and, whilst I was there, I saw an owl fly out of the trees and across the fields and pond; I followed him until I could no longer see him. I remember distinctly feeling that he was showing me the way forward to a new path and saying ‘Follow me’.
Sometime prior to this, having completed the training, I had become an ALM for Prayer and Spirituality. I followed this up by adding the Worship and Liturgy portfolio as I was leading services at Christ Church and it had more relevance and practical use, but also was complementary.
It was while I was doing the latter study, that I started taking a 4pm service on a Sunday and I was following the theme of the Celtic Saints and Taizé services. One Sunday, Rev’d Carol Hayden – who was the vicar at the time – accompanied me up the hill to church and asked me the question, “Have you thought about being ordained?” I must admit I was taken aback as, whilst I had thought about it quite a few times in the past, life had always got in the way – whether that was because it was not possible, my family, my career, teaching, hobbies and interests.
I thought about what she had said for some time, as I knew it would be a huge change to both my and Tony’s life. I also knew that the discernment journey could be long and challenging.
Before Rev’d Carol left, I gave her my answer: I was prepared to have my name put forward, (subject to the approval of the Parochial Church Council – PCC).
So, I began my two-year journey of discernment. It certainly is not for the faint-hearted! You have an advisor with whom you meet regularly to discuss various aspects of your faith and beliefs. There are practical experiences you must complete as well as gaining insight into different forms of worship and distinctive styles such as evangelical and high church liturgies. You also have vocational advisors who examine you …and you must attend two BAP’s – Bishop’s Advisory Panels. The first one is six half hour interviews by Zoom with six different people on six different topics. You must score 4 or more up to a maximum of 7 on each aspect to be able to progress to BAP 2, which is usually about a year later. BAP 2 is a two-day residential where you are examined by way of a group discussion and three individual panel interviews, as well as having written reports and conversations monitored at breakfast, lunch and dinner! The days are interspersed with prayer and service times. There is a week’s wait to find out whether you have been accepted for training or not.
In conjunction with this you also need to apply to theological college to be able to study for the necessary qualification. I attended Emmanuel College and completed a Certificate in Theology, Mission and Ministry.
After being ordained as a deacon in 2025 I became a part-time non-stipendiary minister, (OLM), serving here in the parish of Walmsley, but also in the wider Turton Moorland Team. In Manchester Diocese you undertake a possible five-year curacy – three further years of training and then up to two years gaining in experience. I was ordained priest in June this year and am now fully licensed to undertake all the occasional offices as well as Holy Communion.
I am looking forward to ministering to you all in both the congregation and wider community. I have really appreciated all your prayers, thoughts, words of encouragement, help and support over the last five years – they have been invaluable in sustaining me on my journey – THANK YOU ALL.
With blessings and best wishes,
Angie
