Ordination: Placement

The idea of doing a Placement has floated around for almost a year now. It first appeared in my Carousel Conversations feedback. I fumbled a question about how I’ve tested my calling. Instead of explaining fifteen years of discernment, challenge, and growth, I spoke about being put on the spot and thriving in an area of my existing church life. Subsequently, they suggested a placement to give me breadth, experience, and space to see how things fit. I didn’t mind. Experience is valuable.

Then came the meeting with the bishop. They wanted me on placement, away from my church and my late friend and colleague Sue. It felt like a punishment. If it had been framed around my process and growth, I would’ve been fine, but it wasn’t. The bishop also seemed convinced that most churches in the diocese were fully accessible, easy to reach by public transport, and led by disability theology informed priests. Anyone who’s read Fearfully and Wonderfully Made or Church times reports knows that’s rarely the case.

My ADDO later rephrased the need for placement as something that would help me flourish. In the meeting with my DDO and ADDO, I raised the obvious point: my church is in the furthest north region of the diocese and takes ninety minutes to travel to. Travelling further south adds time, strain and physical consequences. Thankfully, he agreed and suggested a placement within the diocese I live in. He also agreed to the accessibility, theology, and travel requirements, and committed to finding one that fits.

Five months later, he sent three options.

I visited one with Hannah. It was fine, but was a combination of styles, which seemed to clash. Another looked closer on paper but would’ve taken just as long to reach. The third caught my attention immediately. A thirty‑minute walk from home. Modern outlook but traditional inside, yet something felt right.

It had a strong social media presence, ticked our eco boxes, having become an Eco Church with a silver award, was part of the Inclusive Church network, something I’ve wanted my own church to join for years, hosts the Food Bank, a weekday children’s group, social events, and has a growing children’s and youth connection, and does all of this while still being a “High Church” with weekly communion, three Sunday services, hymns blasted out on the organ, and a traditional, Anglo-Catholic style.

It was everything I’ve avoided and everything I’ve wanted.

I’ve experienced multiple denominations over my life. Most validated the harm disabled people face. I learned to equate traditional services with traditional viewpoints and spiritual danger. That’s true for some churches, but the Church of England is an ecosystem of local parishes, each with individuality and nuance. Yet my mind still goes, “If they sing hymns with an organ, they won’t be forward‑thinking.” This church challenged that assumption. Everything anyone would want from a modern mission, eco, and inclusive church was there, with a traditional heart.

It also made me realise that I’ve been at my current church for fifteen years, worshipping within its parish for eighteen, and that I’ve settled into one experience for too long. This placement should change that.

Hannah and I prayed about which to choose, but we both kept circling back to this church. So I told my DDO, he set it up, and introduced the priest I’ll be working with: Rev Sue. Going from one Rev Sue to another felt like a quiet reassurance.

Last Friday, I visited the church and met her. She’s brilliant. She understands neurodiversity, being so herself and raising neurodivergent children, so will be fine with me, gets disability theology and practice, and already made changes and wants my help to make more. She’s inclusive, thoughtful, and passionate about the community. We talked about her journey, the church, activities, and what she hopes to do next. I couldn’t have asked for a better placement.

The moment I walked in, it felt right. The moment Hannah walked in, she said “Wow.” Then a friend said yesterday that she can see me there. It all seems to fit.

We have one small problem. Rev Sue wasn’t sure what I’m allowed to do. Am I there solely as an observer? Or, can I be thrown into the deep end and do what I do at my church, but there? From what she said, I think she wants the latter. I hope so. I want that too.

I’ve decided to split my time 50/50 between my church and placement. I could do six solid weeks, but I’m doing too many things at my church and while others can cover, it becomes difficult when only a handful do everything. This way, I can continue my calling there while exploring and growing on placement.

Once we hear back about what I can and cannot do, I’ll let Rev Sue know and we can start. For now, I’m excited for my Placement. Here are some photos we took.

[Image 2. The image shows a traditional church sanctuary. Green cushioned chairs are arranged in rows facing a raised altar covered with a green frontal and decorated with flower arrangements. Behind the altar are three tall stained‑glass windows showing biblical scenes. Above them, the curved apse features a painted mural of Jesus Christ flanked by two angels, with the words “Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts” across the top. Hanging lantern‑style lights descend from green ceiling beams, and the surrounding walls display plaques and religious artwork. The overall atmosphere is calm, reverent, and historic.]

[Image 3. The image shows a section of a church wall dominated by five stained‑glass windows: three tall arched panels in the centre and two smaller circular windows above. The glass depicts scenes including the crucifixion of Jesus, figures in prayer, and decorative geometric patterns in vivid colours. Beneath the windows stands a simple wooden altar with a wooden cross, two candle holders, and floral arrangements. The surrounding wall and ceiling include painted and carved Christian symbols, adding to the sense of craftsmanship and tradition]

[Image 4. The image shows a decorative ceiling mural. Two winged angels in flowing robes and golden sashes face inward toward a central circular medallion containing a stylised face surrounded by pink and gold tones. The background is deep blue with scattered golden stars, creating a celestial theme. The border is richly patterned with geometric and floral designs in gold and green. The artwork is detailed and symbolic, typical of traditional church or chapel decoration.]

[Image 5. This image shows a spacious chapel with rows of teal upholstered chairs arranged facing a wooden stage area. A staircase leads up to a balcony with a wooden railing and a large wooden structure containing a door and a black rectangular panel. The ceiling is high with green beams and hanging lantern‑style lights. On the left is a large pipe organ with green and wooden detailing. On the right, tall arched windows with stained‑glass panels allow natural light into the room. Notice boards and wooden cabinets line the back wall. The room feels historic and designed for worship, gatherings, or performances. I am sat to the bottom left of the image]