"Serving in Swadlincote in the south of the diocese, I have led and preached in four different churches, and occasionally in another spread across the breadth of church traditions. I have also had the privilege to come alongside people at the highs and lows of life, from sitting with the bereaved, to celebrating marriages and baptising folk, including my own teenage son at Easter in the glorious sunshine.

"Serving God, and ‘doing church’ doesn’t just happen in building, though, and I have led folk in worship in God’s own creation, both a summer Churches Together Ecumenical picnic and praise service in the local park and in mid-winter, for which we were blessed with gloriously clear and dry skies as we shared the Lord’s meal overlooking the fields surrounding Swad.

"It comes as no surprise that with a young family, I have a particularly keen interest in growing church younger and seeing children and young people flourish and grow in the depth of their knowledge of God’s love for them. I have been fortunate to have been able to facilitate schools and scout visits to church, and

assisted in Messy Church, Experience Christmas and the assemblies team. While still finding time to learn about and become a foundation governor at the primary school local to my house, so I can be strategically involved in the flourishing of more of the children in that parish.  

"I have tried not to neglect the other missional communities within the minster, visiting as many as I can at least once in my first year, enjoying soup with the sewing group, coffee with my conversation, bingo at the Ark and bible study with prayer groups. 

"One of the qualities of an ordained minister in the Church of England is to communicate and interpret the Christian faith in a credible way that respects the context and engages with those of other faiths and none, about issues facing the world and local community. Early into my curacy, I started writing for the local magazine, which is distributed around Swadlincote to around 18’000 residences and businesses, which led to being interviewed on the local radio show talking about, amongst other things, sin, church history and tradition, and God’s immense love. I have also had the opportunity to serve at Download Festival as a chaplain, which led to some really interesting conversations about relationships and Jesus, although, like in church, not everyone always agreed.

"Since being ordained Priest this summer, I have found myself surprised as once again I feel like I am even more myself than I have ever been, and I am really looking forward to what the next year, and years of ordained ministry will bring."

Kara is Assistant Curate at Swadlincote Minister