Jemma Sander-Heys First Year Ordinand, Diocese of Salisbury
Can you tell us something about your life before theological college?
Having left university with a language degree, I got married and I had been working fulltime in an office environment on the South Coast for several years whilst pursuing other interests and going through the discernment process. After attending a Bishops' Advisory Panel I left work to have a baby, Thea, and thanks to a very supportive husband started at college when she was eight months old.
How did you come to realize that God was calling you to be ordained?
I had prayed for God's guidance on my life since my early teens, but always hoped (and suggested to Him) that God might want me to do something rather glamorous and cool in a secular setting. As time passed, I 'pushed many doors' and found that they DID open, providing creative things to do, plenty of friends, career opportunities, a nice house - everything a person could want. But not fulfillment or purpose.
Finally, one day on the train home from work, reflecting on my comfortable life, loving family and future plans (I had just been accepted to do a literary MA), I realised I felt just wrong. It was as though I were in the right place on a map, but facing completely the wrong direction, so the landscape ahead looked wrong - flat and uninspiring as far as the eye could see. At that moment I finally prayed that God would truly do WHATEVER he chose with my life, with no caveats or subclauses, and I would obey, because a life of my own choosing seemed like a desert in comparison to the fullness of life that God had planned for me, no matter how scary.
Why did you choose to come to the College of the Resurrection?
I love the rich variety of styles and range of expressions that abound in the Anglican church, and enjoy seeking to draw near to God in new ways. Coming from a mixed church background, including many years at a Baptist church, I wanted to experience new things and felt that the liturgical style at Mirfield, steeped in history and tradition, must have a great deal to offer, with which I was unfamiliar.
On a more instinctive level, I was immediately drawn to the College of the Resurrection above all because of the prayer life. No other college has such a discipline of corporate prayer and worship, based alongside and sharing a common life with a monastic community.
How have you found being an ordinand here and being the mother of an infant?
There is no doubt that the timetable of study, combined with daily aspects of communal life, are very demanding; and loving support has been vital for my family. Baby Thea and my husband Joel are welcomed at mealtimes and around the college generally, and Thea has benefited from the company of some of the other student families and their small people.
What do you feel you have gained from the experience of living a common life in College?
The common life necessitates forming relationships with all fellow students, regardless of background, churchmanship, age or gender. I really enjoy this, as Christ is the common ground which unites us all, and those drawn here come from every walk of life. It is a privilege to be able to form relationships with such a diverse range of fellow Christians.
Just as in a parish setting, differing views and opinions abound. The shared timetable of prayer, worship and communion make the College feel not like a homogenous club, but like a large family - bound together not by closely shared viewpoints but by love and a common desire to serve God faithfully. I think this is so refreshing and exciting, it is a reminder of what a seemingly disparate kingdom of people are drawn to love and follow Jesus.
How have you found prayer in this place?
This place is a quiet well of living spirituality. The prayer life is more disciplined than I was formerly used to, something that I think must be vital for an ordained minister. I have nothing negative to say about it, however I shall say that I envy the students who live on-site, and are able to attend compline every night, whilst I run home to spend some time with my family. Talking of time - that is one of the most interesting things about prayer and this place of prayer, that no matter how busy you seem to be, surrounded by prayer you always seem to end up with more time than you thought you had! It seems: Make more time for God, and God will make more Time for you! There is also something energising, 'vivifying' might be a better term, about the spiritual life here - the sense that God is at work, feeding, teaching and supporting us.
What's your favourite thing about being at the College - and the most challenging thing?
I love the teaching, it is everything I hoped it would be and more, the teaching staff are passionate about their subjects and that excitement infuses the classes that we attend. I also love the corporate worship, coming together as the family of God. Undoubtably though, the course, and timetable are very demanding - especially for someone with the external commitments of a family, this course is not for the faint-hearted; but as I said above - the prayer life is the revitalising source here, from which to draw refreshment and encouragement.
What are your hopes and expectations as you look towards the remainder of your time here?
I hope that I shall continue to find Mirfield a place of inspiration and a wellspring of spiritual refreshment, and that my remaining time here brings continued healthy growth and experience of diversity.