My childhood call to the priesthood
Reflections
“My suggestion for anyone who thinks they may have a call to ordained ministry is to be brave…Be brave to get outside your comfort zone, to take the first step towards Seekers Day,” says The Rev’d Lyn Kareta as Seekers Day approaches on Saturday 31 August
I grew up with the Anglican Church as part of life — going to Sunday School and Girls Friendly Society gatherings in my young years. I recently reflected upon an experience I had in these years while attending a Sunday service with my family.
I recalled one Sunday watching the priest celebrate the Eucharist, and almost seeing myself in that celebration also — not as a vision of any sort, more like feeling a strong sense of who I was meant to be. In going home and trying to express this, I was met with “Girls can’t be priests”, which was very true at the time. And so, while faith and church continued to be part of my life, I focused on family, study and career, which led me to study psychology and to a corporate career of about 20 years in human resources. I worked mostly in organisational development where I led programmes focused upon leadership development and organisational culture change.
Lyn Kareta (centre) with Sandra Davis (left) and Kari Davis (right), both still close friends of Lyn today, after being confirmed at St John’s Anglican Church in Hendra in 1983
Amidst the busy-ness of life juggling work, kids in school and sport, and further post-graduate studies, it was through the people I met over time that I found myself becoming intently curious when talking with them about their experiences of faith and of following different senses of calling. These weren’t conversations at church, rather they were people I came across in my work. I found the conversations fascinating — both the stories about people following their call to ordained ministry and the stories about how people initially followed a call before choosing a different direction. One work colleague in particular would tell me of her daughter’s journey towards ordination. It was during these discussions with her, and her noting my curious interest in her daughter’s journey, that she wondered whether it was perhaps something I needed to look into for myself. It was almost in seeing the possibility realised in someone else that I came to eventually see the possibility that may be there for me also.
My “go to” for seeking understanding on most topics usually involves turning to study, so that’s where I started. After some research, I found a course in theology at Charles Sturt University. I became more deeply immersed in it all and after a while I started to speak with my parish priest at the time, The Rev’d Dr Marian Free, who provided guidance and helped me become a liturgical assistant, a parish council member, and more immersed in my parish community in general, something I was a bit shy about in the past. A Seekers Day came up and I remember Marian saying to me, “I don’t know where your journey of exploring your vocation is right now, but this [Seekers Day] may be something to consider.” She gave me the brochure, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone, I went along thinking I had nothing to lose. I thought, “I’ll go along and see what it’s all about and I can always walk away and not go any further.” From there, the compelling thought soon became, “I can’t not do this”.
It was a no small transitional journey, though, to move from a career of about 20 years that I was well entrenched with. Yet something was constantly building within me — I knew I had to become closer to God, but I wasn’t exactly sure how or what that meant. In acknowledging that, and in making the decision to turn fully to live my life for God, it’s amazing how space was created in different ways, such as through seeking out flexible working arrangements to study and having an open dialogue with my parish priest and other mentors around me.
I initially undertook my study online while I was still working and trying to work out what I was being called towards. It was Marian who encouraged me to start studying in-person at St Francis College. As I did, I came to realise the importance of community while studying theology — to have people alongside me to discuss my learnings; to ask questions; to reflect more intently upon how God was speaking into my life; to lean on others when needed; and, of course, having teachers available who inspire you and help to shape your understanding of everything theological. The experience of being on campus certainly helped direct my calling and pathway into ministry, and became essential when I finally made it into formation.
Non-church friends often ask me, “So what does a standard week look like?” One of the many things I love about my life in ministry is how diverse every day is, with no two days being the same. There might be days where, in the morning I’m singing and dancing alongside children and their adults at “mainly music”, to then leading aged care services in the afternoon, with pastoral encounters in between or pantry deliveries to the local community centre. Of course, there is also preparing for services, being part of the ministry team in regular worship, and being part of the broader Diocesan team. Then there is the privilege of being alongside people for their pastoral needs, including leading funerals for peoples’ loved ones, and simply being in relationship within community in such lifegiving ways — it’s very different to tending to the employment lifecycle of people in my previous HR career.
“No two days are the same”: The Rev’d Lyn Kareta’, The Rev’d Scott Windred and Amy Stalley at Senior Ichthus Camp 2023, in Glendalough, Peregian Beach, answering questions in a “Puzzle the Panel” Q&A session
My suggestion for anyone who thinks they may have a call to ordained ministry is to be brave. Be brave to open up a dialogue with others to discuss the feelings of your call, particularly with your parish priest.
Be brave to get outside your comfort zone, to take the first step towards Seekers Day.
And notice your inner dialogue — if it changes over time from “Can I do this?” to “I can’t not do this”, you may be on the right path towards your calling, right where God wants you to be.
Be brave because you have nothing to lose from exploring your call, and everything to gain in living life fully for God.
Editor’s note: Explore your vocation at Seekers Day 2024, which will be held between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 31 August as part of the St Francis College Open Day. Visit the St Francis College website for more information.
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