Stephen Edmunds

Stephen, can you tell us a bit about the background to your vocation to priesthood?

I’d been aware of the nearness of God during my time at Worksop Priory, where I grew up. I came to Durham in 1995 to do theology. Durham was quite a hard time for me, being the first time I’d been away from home and so on, and was academically disappointing. I doubted that I was suitable for any kind of public ministry and went in pursuit of ‘gainful employment’. Quite by accident I fell into the world of social housing, first working for a policy organisation in Sunderland, and then, just before our daughter Sarah was born, as Housing Strategy and Renewal Manager for Darlington Borough Council.

Rachel and I were married in August 2001. Despite the doubts, I never quite lost my sense of vocation, and I think poor Rachel was treated to my angst on the subject not long after we first met! All the way through my time at Durham God found ways to remind me, to encourage me, not least in the form of Fr Grieves (parish priest at St James the Great Darlington) sending me the occasional note or copy of the parish magazine, and also in moments of stillness in college chapel or at St Cuthbert’s shrine in Durham Cathedral. In discovering with Rachel a calling to marriage, I had to re-evaluate what that meant for priestly vocation, but God never quite let me forget, and in being encouraged to take on roles at St James, my sense of vocation was subtly being affirmed

Why did you choose to come to Mirfield?

In 2004, I attended to conference at Mirfield for vocations. My inner voice was becoming increasingly hard to shut up on the subject and I hoped my trip here would silence it once and for all! It didn’t! I found such space here simply to be with God. I remember being almost physically struck by the very presence of God here and I think I’d probably mostly made my mind up then, that should I ever be looking for a theological college, this would be the place for me. The family and I came to Commemoration Day the following year, and they fell in love with the place as quickly as I did. By the time I was searching for a place, Rachel and I couldn’t really envisage anywhere else. By the very fact that the college lives and works alongside a monastic community, it offers a unique continuity that I knew would be important to us as a family. When I came as a prospective student I’d also been impressed with the very open way that the College attempted to accommodate people from different traditions.

You must have found it tough uprooting your family?

Moving was very hard. I’d been promoted at work, and as a family we were very well established in Darlington. I think hardest of all was the prospect of leaving the Christian community which had nurtured us over 8 years. Rachel had been confirmed there, we had been married there, and our children had been welcomed and baptised there. We had made really strong friendships with people we saw very regularly. I’ve been painfully aware that this hasn’t just been my sacrifice, but a sacrifice required of my wife and my children.

We deliberately decided to move about a month before the start of term to try and ensure we had good time to settle in. The college house we’ve been given is really nice. Several of the brethren were quick to call in and welcome us, and I was warmly welcomed at several services before the start of term.

Has it been as expected?

Yes. And no! The pattern of life and the sense of being caught up in a place of learning and contemplation has been very much as I envisioned it, and the strength of community life. I wasn’t however prepared for the necessary balancing act between college commitments and home life, and much of that has been more about our changing needs as a family and their commitments rather than anything the College or Community has failed to do.

What have you enjoyed?

I’ve particularly enjoyed the daily cycle of prayer, and the real grounding of all that we do in worship. I’ve also rather enjoyed the way that all members of college are expected to play a role in the more practical tasks, such as gardening or cleaning or library duty – it has helped to feel established much more quickly.

What has been difficult?

Although I’ve commented that I enjoy the rigour of daily prayer, I’m not a ‘mornings person’ and have found the early mornings a challenge shall we say! I also don’t think I’d fully appreciated how tensions can build in a closed environment like college, and how the pettiest things can become irritating. You learn a lot about yourself in that I guess!

What kind of hopes do you have of the next two years?

I’m really hoping over the coming two years to make some progress academically. It was one of my major concerns before college, and I hope to put that to rest. I’m looking forward to placements, and am currently trying to arrange an attachment to a hospice. Most importantly of all, I hope that I will better understand what God wants of me, and be shaped in readiness for future ministry.