This morning we saw the start of our ordination weekend at Guildford Cathedral, with 21 priests being ordained and taking the next steps in their ministries.
Tomorrow is especially exciting, as it will be the turn of our newest Reverends to be ordained. Andy’s story is the last (but no means least) of our series of stories celebrating the individuals being ordained deacons:
How was Andy called?
We started going to church 21 years ago, with the baptism of our daughter, Ellie - a family we never thought we’d have until my wife called me at work with the news she was 20 weeks pregnant! I’m an underwriter, working in the insurance industry for over 40 years in the London insurance market, regionally and internationally.
I’m now semi-retired as a keen wildlife gardener and musician. I’m married to Linda and we celebrate 36 years in October! Ellie graduated last year, starting her primary school career this September. Linda and I are hugely proud of her.
We’re all very much involved in our church. We play and sing in our church band. Linda is a member of the pastoral team and I’m the parish treasurer, as well as preaching and leading services.
My ordination journey started on an Occasional Preachers’ Course. Whilst preparing a short sermon on the course, I felt that there was much more I needed to do. I mentioned it to the course leader, discovering the role of Ordained Self-Supporting Minister. I discussed it with my vicar, Beverly, who was hugely supportive. I spent just over a year in discernment and here I am now finishing my training at St Martha’s College!
There have been many moments of saying “yes” to God on this journey. I was 57 when I knew this was what I was going to do. It was God’s word that it would all work that led me to retire early, knowing the pension would work out and we’d all be fine in His care.
I am so grateful for the support I have had from so many people along this journey: my family, my church, the St Martha’s College tutors and, of course, Beverly, my vicar, who has let me grow into my church role with such trust. I’m truly humbled and privileged by this.
I often go back to Matthew 7:7. Whenever I do this, God answers and my faith journey continues on.
I’m fully retiring in July to spend half my week as a curate in the parish and also at Surrey University as a chaplain. I am so looking forward to pastorally caring for those I meet, helping them encounter God and journeying with them as they explore their faith.
My faith journey has been one of many encounters with God. Each time God reveals a little more of His plan for me. If I hadn’t listened to God and taken the leap to early retirement, I wouldn’t have started discernment or ordination training - and now I’m about to start my curacy. So, I have learnt to do what God asks. Even if it seems scary and I can’t see what is going to happen, I know God is there by my side, leading me on.
“Ask and it will be given you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.”
Matthew 7:7