Ellie is to be ordained as a deacon on Saturday 1 July and will serve her curacy in the benefice of Wellington All Saints with Eyton (S.Catherine)
Ellie was born and raised in Stone, Staffordshire, with one older brother. She is now married to husband Joe with five children: three daughters still at home and two grown up sons from a previous marriage, having been widowed at 29. After becoming a Christian around this time, Ellie was always closely involved with various aspects of church life while carrying on an extensive teaching career covering reception to A-level. As Ellie felt God was leading her into a deeper relationship and challenging her comfort zones, she began exploring the potential for more formal ministry. Ellie is now looking forward to starting curacy and learning to ride a motorbike in her spare time.
Ellie has always had a passion for the power of God's Word and presence to transform lives and situations. Her desire is to introduce people to God who may never have been shown His ways before and provide a church environment for all kinds of people which is welcoming, accepting and inclusive. She is especially drawn to the passage from Luke 4:18-19 and feels called to live this out.
The biggest misconception that Ellie had was that she didn’t realise there would be times when she just wanted abandon it all! While there are wonderful times of fellowship, community and prayer, it is hard work. There have been a lot of tears, essays and deadlines which can be tough when working simultaneously. The more positive side is that there have been great times of formation and making a real impact on people and the church in a budding ministry.
Ellie has been a teacher for over 20 years, moving from secondary to special needs then on to primary, and spent twoyears as a children’s worker at Stafford Prison. She has been very busy raising five children in the midst of all that. Ellie has done lots of voluntary work within her church context, including youth and children’s work, women’s ministry, supporting the vulnerable, leading a community space and prayer ministry. She has supported her husband in his work, even occasionally appearing on TV in his Christian kids' TV show 'Jovis Bon-Hovis' and the upcoming 'Mozzy and the Prof!'
"Listen to what others are saying about you and be honest about what this means for your life. Be open to all possibilities, even when it seems impossible, or you just can’t see how God could use you in such a way" she says. "Don’t dismiss what God may be calling you into because it doesn’t suit how you see your life. Remember, His ways are not our ways! Above listen to and stay close to God. This is a journey of faith and trust, and it requires determination and obedience."