Nicky trained for ordination part-time as they continued to work in the NHS. They have found that the knowledge gained from one area enriched and complemented their work in the other.
“Training part-time is a privilege because my vocation has developed from within the congregation of my home church, which still supports me as I grow into my new role.
“Training in this way keeps my feet on the ground. As well as journeying alongside my fellow ordinands, I keep contact with a supportive network of people who know me well; people who can share in my development, but also challenge me along the way.”
Ordination training that builds on existing vocational experience
“Training to be a self-supporting minister brings the opportunity to build on my existing vocation to work in the health service. For part of the week, I work in the NHS as a Child Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, whilst at other times in the week, I am training as an ordinand.
“I have found that the skills and knowledge which I gain from one area can enrich and complement my work in the other area.
“In many ways, learning how to integrate and deepen both ministries mirrors the dilemma we all have. We all have to find out how to take what we do on Sundays into our daily lives, for the rest of the week.”
Working as a self-supporting minister
“In a self-supporting role, I have to be mindful of the conflicts and pressures which this brings. There are also creative possibilities which come from considering the working week in a more integrated way.
“Being a self-supporting minister is about holding sometimes quite disparate elements of life together and finding God in the midst of this.”
– Nicky von Fraunhofer, St Augustine’s alumni (graduated, 2015)
