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Meet our New Revs 2022

Be inspired

Rev Julie Butcher

Holy Trinity, Formby and St Michael and All Angels, Altcar

I felt an excitement which led to me changing my university plans and coming to Liverpool to read theology. I loved the study and I wondered several times if God was calling me into ordained ministry, but I held back for many years, happy to serve God through my teaching and work with families. I read about the Directions course and I attended it and finally decided it was time to test that call. Encouraged by others to ‘step out of the boat’ and trust God I began the discernment process and here I am now.

Rev Rebecca Cottrell

Christ Church Norris Green

I’m going to be in Christ Church, Norris Green, and looking forward to getting to know the community and the area. I’m looking forward to working with a diverse group of people who love Jesus, getting stuck in with youth and kids work, food pantry and community work. And I’m just generally excited to be back in Liverpool and getting to further explore this vocation!

Rev Jerome Daniels

St James in the City

Growing up in a Christian home I was blessed to grow up in the love of God. When I was a teenager, I began to take my faith more seriously for myself, getting involved in youth clubs and going to events. Two things that really drove me were Bible study with my friends, I always loved reading together, eating, and discussing the Scriptures. The second was sung worship, as a musician I was stuck into the band at church, I think music is a very special gift to us.

Rev Gill Fenton

St Helen Town Centre Team

I will be a Fit for Mission curate in St Helens and am looking forward to finding out what that may entail. Until then I'll be licensed to the St Helens Town Centre Team, based mostly in St Helens Parish Church. It's a busy church, reaching out to the local - mainly retail - community. I’m excited to be doing something very different from what I'm used to.

Rev Lizzy Ferguson

St Paul Skelmersdale

I’ve had to battle the fears of not feeling good enough, clever enough, etc. finding comfort that God called me despite knowing all my weaknesses. I think it will be a great privilege to support people in times of grief through funeral ministry, offering them comfort and support at a time where many questions are raised.

Rev Paul Givens

Upholland and Dalton

My work in my local church with the youth group and our Praise parties that we held gave me an insight into how we as future ministers can reach those that are far from the church. Our job is to reach those lost and lonely and on the margins of society and give them hope. I was on the first Directions course that the Diocese ran in 2012 and this was the springboard to first becoming a reader. Even at my Licensing I was sharing the peace with one particular Priest who informed me that this was not the end of me and 4 years later here I am.

Rev Rebecca Lloyd

St James' Westbrook within Warrington West Team

If I’m honest I had heard the call when I was 18 and hadn’t recognised it, or maybe I did and chose to ignore it. I heard the call again in my twenties but didn’t explore it as I was busy with my career and getting married. About seven years ago, church advertised a reader open day which one of the older ladies asked to go on. She didn’t drive so I said I would go as I thought this was something I’d like to do in the future. At the open day, I was inspired by the chaplaincy discussions and funeral ministry. By the end of the session, I was excited and ready to start there and then.

Rev Laura Neilson

St John Burscough

I will be a self-supporting deacon and so will continue with callings running alongside each other. I am a doctor who is passionate about tackling inequality and the impact of poverty through leading organisations working to change communities through healthcare in low-economic communities.

Rev Frances Nunn

St Andrews, St Helens Town Centre Team

So much has happened over the last few years since I first had that nagging feeling God was calling me to something new. While the specific discernment and formation process has been challenging, I believe God is always forming and reforming us whatever our calling and circumstances.

Rev Mark Orrell

Parr Team

Prior to perusing the calling to ministry, I served the Lord in a number of roles, working as an evangelist and project leader for Manchester City Mission and Youth for Christ. Before this, I was a soldier and I served in Iraq. I felt a strong call to ministry during my time serving in the Army. After following the advice from some friends and a lot of prayer, I chose to follow God’s plan by leaving my previous job and following his plan for my life.

Rev Philippa Shaw

St Ann Warrington and St Andrews Orford

My calling was less bright lights and a booming voice and more of a slow sunrise and a whisper that wouldn’t go away. Eventually, it occurred to me to do something about it. Feeling the strands of my life coming together for God gives me strength to get through some of the real challenges of all aspects of ministry I’ve encountered so far.

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