Three new volunteers - clergy and reader - have been appointed as Assistant Directors of Ordinands to assist in teasing out vocations around the diocese.
Helen Bowes, Revd Alison Storer and Revd Colin Such will be helping the vocations team and in particular the Bishop's Director of Ordinands, Revd Preb Romita Shrisunder from the start of this term.
Director of Ministry, Revd Preb Dr Jeanette Hartwell said:
“I am delighted that Helen, Colin and Alison will be helping people to test their calling to ordained ministry as Assistant Directors of Ordinands. Each brings to the role experience from different walks of life as well as showing proven commitment to nurturing the vocations of all. I look forward to their support for the Bishop’s Director of Ordinands, the work of the Vocations and Training Team, and their contribution to strengthening the culture of vocation, one of the diocese’s strategic goals.”
We asked them to introduce themselves:
Helen Bowes
"I live in Stone, Staffordshire and I am a recently retired Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Counselling Supervisor and Tutor having worked in the private, voluntary and public sector for the last 18 years. Prior to this I was involved in Training and Development in varying sectors including Environmental Health and Early Years Education for approx. 30 years, although I did have career breaks whilst raising 4 children. They are all grown up now with their own families and I am blessed with 7 grandchildren!
"In church ministry I have been a Licenced Lay Reader since 2004, serving in benefices first in Shropshire and now in Staffordshire. From 2005 to 2013 I served as a Workplace Chaplain at Ironbridge Power Station, which was great fun. Since 2018 I have served as a National Bishops Advisor for the BAP process, (now the Shared Discernment Process) and locally in the Diocese of Lichfield as a Vocations Advisor. It is a great honour to be involved in the process of helping people discern their calling from God and to discover the delights of serving the Lord in a whole variety of ways. For the last year I have taken up a voluntary role as a Senior Waterways Chaplain for Waterways Chaplaincy (a national charity) being able to serve God as I walk the towpath along the Trent & Mersey Canal in my home town of Stone.
"I am very much looking forward to my new role as ADDO. As you can see from above, I have always been involved in helping people to discover and develop themselves whether through teaching and training or individual work with clients. Mentoring counsellors-in-training, potential waterways chaplains or inexperienced nursery workers has always excited me. Helping people reach their full potential and discern God’s call for them, becoming all of what God calls them to be is a joy and a privilege. Helping candidates through the challenges of the shared discernment process, I am sure, will be a delight."
Revd Colin Such
"My name is Colin Such and I am currently Vicar of Rushall where I have served for the past 20 years.
"Originally from Warwickshire, I studied business studies at South Warwickshire College of Further Education before taking a law degree at UEA, Norwich. I then worked as a lawyer before entering Ripon College, Cuddesdon for training for ordination and was ordained priest in 1998. My ordained ministry has always been in Lichfield diocese.
"I am 62 years old, single with 2 dogs. I am a patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoy entertaining and love to visit Italy when possible (not very often!)
"One of the joys in my ministry has been to lead pilgrimages in Europe and the Holy Land. Journeying and spending time with others whilst discovering different experiences of our faith, both historic and current, has been extremely enriching and I hope that my work as ADDO will continue this journey with others as they explore where God is leading us."
Revd Alison Storer
"I am a self-supporting, assistant level minister at St Bartholomew’s Church, Penn. I was ordained six years ago. I have been a vocations advisor for a number of years. I am passionate that self-supporting and assistant level ministries are specific callings. I went through the discernment process, training and served my curacy whilst working as a GP, including through Covid 19. I have since retired and my ministry has changed out of all recognition. I also believe a specific ministry is for a season as we and the church change and different opportunities arise.
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity, and it is a huge privilege to walk with people and work with them as they discern the call of God on their lives. I am looking forward as an ADDO to journeying with people through the process. But also encouraging vocations among everyone, to helping breakdown perceived barriers to acting on God’s call, and to seeing God at work in this Diocese."
Anybody thinking about their calling within the church is invited to contact the vocations team via Cath Hughes after discussion with their incumbent (or rural dean in a vacancy),