Vocation

What is a vocation? Well, a vocation is a largely churchy word meaning calling. We often hear it said about our ministers - they have a vocation. They are following a calling.

St Albright's is a hotbed for vocations. Whether as part of the established church on London Road, or as part of the Pioneer Ministry, people in the church family are discovering their God-given calling to service. 

The word 'vocation' comes from the Latin word vocare, meaning 'to call'. A vocation, therefore, is something God calls us to. It can be discerned in many ways, through others, through the councils and officials of the church, and through private prayer and devotion. Indeed, the person called must hear the vox Dei (literally the 'voice of God').

On Sunday evening, I was ordained as an Elder of the United Reformed Church at a service at Chappel URC (you can watch the service on YouTube if you wish). It was a very special evening and the fulfilment of a period of discernment. 

This Thursday we see Pamela Higham Commissioned as a Lay Funeral Minister in this parish - we will hear from her next week - and like with me, the process for her has been a time of listening and discerning.

SO, a question for this week. Is God calling you to something? Through a little voice in your head? Or perhaps through the words of others? Why not spend some time listening? You never know what you might hear!

Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all Your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve You in holiness and truth to the glory of Your Name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus, who is alive and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

(The collect prayer used at Pam's Commissioning)