Mike, who has attended St Mary's for nearly 30 years, retired in 2022 and it was then that he actually realised that God had been calling him to do a bit more! After an extensive discernment process the diocese agreed and sent Mike to Lindisfarne College- partnered with Durham University. A year of study, evenings and weekends, assessments and presentations later and Mike will be joining around 20 others at the authorisation service in the Cathedral on Saturday 13th September. Mike will then be able to officiate at services of the Word. He professes to being a little shocked at the way 'God has trusted him' ! Mike was worried and nervous at going back to education but has thoroughly enjoyed learning and being challenged.