When I look back on my journey to becoming a Deacon I am always thankful that God provides the right people at the right time for us on our journeys.
It was during the unlikely process of divorce that my calling to ordained ministry began. Facing the prospect of entering the divorce proceedings and having bi weekly weekends with my daughters I had a decision to make. Did I rely on God to get me through the challenging process or did I blame God for my circumstances?
I chose to rely on God; my reliance on God strengthened and re kindled my faith and I found myself more and more involved in church activities. As I did more in the church I sensed God saying ‘There’s still more I need from you.’ This I realized was a calling towards ordained ministry.
I went to see my then minister and explained to him that I felt a calling towards ministry, but that I did not want to be like him!!
After I had explained that I had nothing against my minister and indeed valued his ministry I quickly added that by that I meant I could not at that time see myself a Presbyter. Fortunately, we were able to discern that my calling was towards diaconal ministry.
As I met with a previous warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order who was at that time based in our circuit, I realized that I had an empathy with deacons, that there were connections and that others outside the church were also confirming my sense of call.
A long process of discernment followed, with eventual training leading toward full membership of the Methodist Diaconal Order and ordination.
In all of this God has confirmed, strengthened, challenged and guided me in my ministry as a Deacon. I feel blessed to exercise that ministry but also to be part of a religious order, which gently and reassuringly gives me support and fellowship as I journey onwards.
The privilege I have in my diaconal ministry is to be challenged to try and connect with those on the margins of the church - to assist those on the margins of society.
In my ministry to date I have been challenged to identify those on the margins even in seemingly areas of wealth. People may often have the trappings of success but have spiritual needs of a wide variety.
It has been and continues to be a privilege to walk alongside so many people in many different ways and I am thankful that my own initial reluctance at answering the call was out weighed by the people who have also journeyed with me to this point and encouraged and shared my ministry this far.