St. James’s Welcomes a Candidate for Ordination

The Parish Church of St James St. James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ (Parish Office 020 8941 6003)

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2000 - 2009: St. James’s Welcomes a Candidate for Ordination - 2009 October

David Bell

I'm David Bell, married to Janet, and we have lived in Hampton Wick for 30 years. Our children, Catherine, Fiona and Philip are all in their twenties. Catherine lives in Yorkshire, where I was born, and the other two are at home. In recent years we have spent time in Penwith, Cornwall, as we have a small house there. My involvement in church began when I was a teenager by teaching at Sunday School and later in life have lead all age worship, workshops on intercessions and a prayer group.

My career has mainly been in publishing business weeklies, and their websites, with responsibility for advertising sales. I have also worked for a small business developing employee benefit services for those who work in NHS Trusts. I currently work in Camden on magazines that serve professionals in the public sector. Setting clear goals, maintaining regular communication and working to deadlines are all part of my working day.

I am a new Ordinand in the Church of England. The Bishop sent me to a national selection panel in May this year and they have advised him that I am suitable to go forward for ministerial training. I hope to be a self-supporting minister (like Debbie Oades.) I begin this Autumn with evening classes at Southwark Cathedral and several residential weekend schools throughout the year. It is an intense 3 year programme and will be a challenge, but I am looking forward to the adventure. My bookcase is starting to fill up! When St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians writes 'See, everything has become new!' it certainly applies to my life in Christ.

I have been worshipping locally at the same church for decades and feel that it would be good to broaden my experience in preparation for being a priest and being involved with new and varied church communities. We received a friendly welcome here and Peter, who has considerable experience with newly trained priests, has kindly agreed to be my mentor on this part of my journey. This involves supporting me when required but also making assessments of my progress for the college. Whilst being aware that my learning will take up most of the time when I am not working, I look forward to being part of your fellowship and am enthusiastic about participating where I can."

Source: David Bell, The Spire Magazine - 2009 October

Further Information
	Associated pages on this website: Clergy

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