We are continuing to celebrate our soon-to-be-Reverends, who will have been ordained by this time next week. We will be sharing two stories a day in the lead-up to the Ordination of Deacons service. This morning’s story comes from Rebecca Catterall.
How was Rebecca called?
Throughout my ordination journey, I’ve reflected on the faith communities that have shaped me. My parents, brought up Catholic, were part of the Jesus Movement in America, alongside friends who lived in Christian communes where worship took place in homes. I have a few clear memories of those early years, but I do remember a deep sense of joy. It is this joy that first inspired my spiritual journey and continues to shape how I teach and lead worship.
When we moved to Los Angeles, we joined a very different kind of church, yet that same sense of joy and promise remained. I am deeply grateful to Faith Community Church, which in the 1980s and 90s inspired people from many backgrounds with a vision of hope and structure during a significant period in history. It gave me a strong foundation that has carried me throughout my life. I am so thankful for my extraordinary family in California, who have supported me from the beginning and have travelled to be here for my ordination!
After studying Theatre at UCLA, I found myself increasingly drawn to theology, which led me to postgraduate study at St Andrews. I loved both the course and life in the UK. My faith community there – an eclectic mix of academics and ministers – proclaimed a hopeful vision of a redeemed future. This has shaped my work over the past twenty years as a teacher of Religious Studies and as an Assistant Chaplain at KCS Wimbledon and Epsom College.
I am deeply grateful to the colleagues and students I have worked with, especially the four chaplains who have mentored me and been such faithful friends. When I was invited to become an Assistant Chaplain in 2015, it was a lightbulb moment – the puzzle pieces were thrown up in the air and landed in a completely different pattern than I had anticipated. Rather than applying for other roles in the school, I realised that chaplaincy was where I felt most called to serve.
That call has been present throughout my life, but I finally came to realise the call to ordained ministry when I saw how my Senior Chaplain ministered to the College during what was a very difficult time for the school and for the world. Seeing love lived out so powerfully led me to discern a call to ordained ministry.
I have loved my two years of formation. The academic challenge has been balanced by learning how to embody God’s unconditional love. I am deeply thankful to my training incumbents, my tutor and tutor group at St Mellitus College, Epsom College and the diocese for their support in enabling this alongside my full-time role at the College.
To anyone considering this path, I would say: go for it. It is an extraordinary journey. Mine has taken unexpected turns, yet each step has led me here. I am especially grateful to my remarkable husband and our two awesome children, who have filled our home with joy and encouragement throughout the process.
Knowing that God holds the bigger picture brings both comfort and excitement as I begin ordained ministry:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and he will direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:5