A space for young women of all church traditions to explore, see and hear the experience of women ordained in the Church of England
Our Young Vocations event was recently held at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, where women were able to explore more about ordination in the Church of England, ask questions of, and talk freely with, women who have been ordained.
The event was organised by the Rev'd Canon Wendy Thomson, Bishop's Advisor for Women in Ministry for Ely Diocese and the Revd Sarah Atkins, one of the Ely Assistant Diocesan Directors of Ordinands (ADDO's). The day was an opportunity for young women to start to explore what it might mean to follow God's call. Find out more about Exploring a Church Vocation.
Prayer and reflection stations were set up in Ridley Hall Chapel by curates the Revds Nell Whiscombe and Sharon Byrne, offering prayer and reflection during the day.
Nell and Sharon also joined the Revds Ceri Payne and Alexandra Podd and the Revd Dr Arabella Milbank Robinson for a Q&A panel in the afternoon, sharing their experiences and stories of being ordained in the Church of England.
Pictured are (clockwise from top left) - Bishop Dagmar opened the event with a welcome and prayer, the Revd Lis Goddard talked on The Bible, Women and Leadership, the Revd Alli Millar talked about Women and Priestly Formation, and the Revd Helen Frazer talked about Women in the Church of England and how the national process of shared discernment might work.
Reflections on the day
After the event, Wendy spoke about why she feels it is so important for events like these to take place.
The Revds Nell Whiscombe and Sharon Byrne reflected on their experiences of the day.