From the Vicarage

Dear friends

I am taking up a different role in the Diocese of Chester – that of a Vocational

Advisor. This means that I will be seeing people for three guided conversations

as they explore what they feel God is calling them to do.

I am really looking forward to starting this role – and as I write this (Saturday

14th June), the first person that I will see is expected here at the Vicarage to-

morrow.

This is not a new role to me as I did also undertake this in Truro Diocese, and it

is a real honour to journey with people as they look at their vocation. Starting

this new role has also reminded me of the priesting of my last curate, Revd

Sarah Nesbitt, and what an impact that had on all three of my churches in my

last post.

A Priesting is always an emotional time, it is a time that many people think

about their own vocation and ‘what if’, or ‘if only,’ thinking that they have some-

how missed the boat and that they could not possibly fulfil their vocation in their

life - but discovering your vocation comes at any, and all stages in people’s

lives, and can and does change throughout a persons life. It is NEVER too late

to answer God’s call and find out what it is that God has planned for you. It

could simply be that now is the time to volunteer to clean the church on a

regular basis, to read a lesson, write intercessions – or it could be that God is

indeed calling you to do more in the church. Be it Reader minister, Occasional

Worship Leader, Priesthood, the list can, and does go on and on and on. As

one of my friends recently said to me who has been avoiding his vocational call

for over 30 years – ‘I thought that it was about time that I did something. I really

do not want to go before the Pearly Gates and be asked why I did not answer

God’s call!’

So if you feel that God is now speaking to you about looking more closely at

your vocations (and we all have one) then please start by talking to me, and I

will be more than happy have a cup of tea and a chat with you.

But what is a vocation? Well the dictionary states (actually Wikipedia states):

A vocation (from Latin vocātiō, meaning 'a call, summons') is an occupation to

which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained, or quali-

fied. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term

originated in Christianity.

So you see from the definition that when we acknowledge our vocation, and act

on it, we are answering God’s call to carry out God’s work in the world. To be

God’s hands, eyes, ears, mouth, feet – to do his will and to make this world a

better place.

We are privileged at the moment to have Vanessa journeying with us for the

next few months as she looks at her vocation, and I would ask you to pray for

her, and also pray for all those who are seeking to find their own vocation to

answer God’s call to do God’s work in the world. And perhaps also pray that

you too will discover what God’s call is in your own life.

With all God’s Blessings and we continue our vocational journey together.

Robert