Student worker stories: Emma Higgins
“Each one of us is called to live up to our calling and to be who God calls us to be” says Paula Gooder. The question “what is God calling me to?” was often asked by students sat opposite me in a coffee shop. During my time working with students at a church in Edinburgh I loved being alongside people during times of great transition in their lives. Spending time with students meant hearing the big dreams of some of the brightest minds and most dedicated hearts in the country, and it was great to be part of that. Students were always asking how they could serve God better with their lives, their money, their time, and it was so refreshing.
Being able to journey with people during the big questions of life is part of what led me to pursue ordination in the Church of England. Unsurprisingly, it’s not only students asking those questions, “what is God calling me to?”, “how can I use my gifts/talents/time/money to serve him?”, “what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?” People of all ages and at all stages of life are striving to follow Jesus with their whole lives, and walking alongside students helped to prepare me for those sorts of conversations with others.
Just like the students in the coffee shop, I asked God what he was calling me to. My own journey has led me from student ministry into ordained ministry - I am now in my first year as a curate in Rugby in Warwickshire. Not everybody will follow that path, but for me my time working with students and with the team at Fusion equipped me for life with a dog collar on! It’s not always easy to figure out what God might be calling you to, which is why I’m really excited to be part of the planning team for Young Women: Your Call. It’s an event for young women exploring their Christian vocation, hosted by Coventry Diocese at the amazing Coventry Cathedral on 23rd April 2016. The day is open to all women across the country (and it’s free!) There will be opportunities to hear from ordained women, to ask questions about the vocations process, and to pray together. So if you’re wondering whether God is nudging you towards ministry in the church, why not join us on the day?
If you’re a student worker, helping students talk through these questions, check out this spoken word from Miriam Swaffield on the topic of calling.
For more information visit dioceseofcoventry.org/ywyc or facebook.com/ywyourcall
