Grace Thomas is one of 23 candidates to be ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Manchester at Manchester Cathedral on Sunday 1 July 2018. Grace was encouraged on her journey towards ordained ministry by being asked to deliver a new monthly service.
"I grew up in the URC church. Although I left in my teens, when I had my son, aged 18, I wanted to return, but was nervous about going on my own as a single, teenage mum. I started attending a CofE church with my now husband, Gareth, in my early twenties. I felt a sense of belonging, but being called to ministry was not at all on my radar!
"A turning point was when I was asked to help deliver a new monthly service - I would never have volunteered! As I began to lead, I became aware of how right it felt. Despite deep reservations about not being good enough in so many ways, God kept nudging me – speaking to me through friends, family, and even the occasional stranger, until I had to listen!
"I trained locally with All Saints, while working as a Family Support Worker. I’ve had fantastic support from family, friends and colleagues, and, during my training, I have been lucky enough to go to India on placement, staying with family and volunteering for a charity.
I am delighted that I will be serving my curacy in the Benefice of Moss Side, St James and Whalley Range, St Edmunds. I am passionate about issues of inclusion and diversity – about church being a place where all feel welcome and encouraged. As ordination draws near, I have a strong sense of being where I am supposed to be, while simultaneously feeling hugely astonished that this is the path God has called me to!"
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