What does it mean to be called by God, and what might God be calling you to next?
A pilot Explore and Affirm Vocations event at Greyfriars Church in Reading brought people from across the diocese together to explore those questions – hearing stories of calling, reflecting on their own gifts and experiences, and discovering just how many different forms a vocation can take.
From nursing and carpentry to parish administration, chaplaincy and serving in the local church, the stories shared throughout the day showed that vocation is not limited to ordained ministry. Nor does God's call always arrive as a clear plan. Sometimes it is only looking back that we begin to see how God has been at work, using our experiences, relationships and gifts to prepare us for what comes next.
Opening the event, Bishop Mary spoke about her own journey of vocation. As a young person, she came to recognise the Christian faith she had inherited from her parents as her own, sensing God telling her: "This is where you belong."
But the journey which followed was not straightforward. Before ordination, she gained life experience in the prison service – and, years later, twice turned down invitations to allow her name to go forward as a potential bishop. Bishop Mary reminded those gathered:
"Before your calling to any task, your first vocation is to be a child of God."
T
hat breadth of calling was reflected in stories from across the room.
Richard, a historic carpenter who grew up in a family with no faith, explained that he "started going to church by working on churches". Through his work, he began to see the love and compassion shown by church communities. Faith grew gradually, as did a vocation centred on welcoming, caring for and serving others at Reading Minster and the wider community.
Jill traced a journey through working in healthcare and the prison service before becoming the first parish nurse in the Reading Deanery. Today her ministry brings together her professional skills and Christian faith in all sorts of ways – from health advice and exercise classes to gardening groups, prayer and simply sharing life with people.
Kate spoke about taking a parish administration job for two mornings a week as she considered returning to work. "Not realising that that was a calling," she said, she fell in love with the role and the opportunities it gave her to welcome and support people at some of the most significant moments in their lives.
Others shared stories of callings that had emerged over time, from Anna Chaplaincy and healthcare to the many roles that keep a local church running, including the vital – and often unenviable! – task of organising the parish rota. Again and again, their stories showed how skills and experiences which might once have seemed unconnected had become part of something bigger.
There were stories of returning to church, of responding to needs in the community, of doors unexpectedly opening and of simply saying yes to the next opportunity. Few had known at the beginning where their journey would take them. For Diocesan Director of Ordinands Kalantha Brewis, that was an important reminder that vocation is not static.
Kalantha described her own journey through being a student nurse, solicitor, stay-at-home mum, childminder, licensed lay minister and parish minister before becoming DDO.
"We can sometimes get stuck trying to work out what is God's purpose on my life, and we want to have the grand plan... Instead, God often reveals just one more step at a time. Which is probably a good thing!"
Kate Stacey, Head of Discipleship, similarly encouraged those gathered to look at the whole of their lives – not simply a job description or recognised church role – when considering where God might be calling them.
"Nothing is wasted. Everything is part of what's being built in people's lives."
The event ended as it had begun, in prayer. Bishop Mary thanked God "that you call each of us into a story with you", praying that everyone would continue to explore all the ways God might be calling them.
Conversations flowed over tea and cake, as people shared their own stories and questions and spoke with members of the diocesan vocations team. One person after the event said:
"The event was so inspirational and sometimes moving! It will help me whenever I need to decide which direction to take, whether big or small. Thank you."
Where might God be calling you?
Wondering what God might be calling you to next? Make some space to listen: pray, reflect on the gifts and experiences God has already given you, and see what begins to emerge. If you feel God may be leading you towards something, talk it through with your parish priest or someone you trust – you don't need to explore your calling alone.
This was a pilot Explore and Affirm Vocations event, with more opportunities to explore calling and vocation to come. Subscribe to our weekly eNews to hear about future events, courses and resources.