The Rector Writes – November 2015

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Alan’s letter

Hello Everyone,

I have been asked to write a something for the November issue of the magazine and thought it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Alan Simpson and on the 28th June this year I was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Manchester at the Cathedral, and subsequently licenced on the 5th July as the Self Supporting Assistant Curate to St Nicholas’s.

I am a Mancunian born and bred having been brought up in Miles Platting. I was baptised a Roman Catholic and attended Catholic Schools, so the practice of my faith has always been a very important aspect of my life from an early age. Following studies for a degree in politics, I was accepted by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford to study for priesthood within the Catholic Church. I commenced theological and formational studies in Spain, Durham and Rome before discerning that ordination into the Roman church was not where I thought God was calling me to be,
so I took the painful decision to leave formational training.

However, I can certainly relate to the old adage of ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans’! Having embarked on a career in Administration Management within the Higher Education sector, I found myself more and more drawn to the Church of England and the realisation that the sense of vocational calling to ministry I felt so keenly since childhood, had not gone away. I began to attend an Anglican church in Oldham where I was warmly welcomed by both the incumbent and the congregation alike. As I became more involved in the worshiping life of the parish, I began
to feel the pull to ordained ministry more and more. I was formally received into the Church of England in January 2009 and began the discernment and selection process for ordained ministry within the diocese. I attended a Bishop’s Advisory Panel in October 2012 and was selected for training.

I began my theological studies in September 2013 with the Yorkshire Ministry Course (based at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield) and I will graduate with a Post Graduate Diploma in Theological and Biblical Studies from the University of Sheffield in January 2016.

I am currently self-supporting, that is I am also in full time employment, currently working for the Diocese of Manchester as the Committee Secretary to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee & Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches. I currently live in Dukinfield with my partner, Stuart and our dog, Rufus.

I was truly delighted when Bishop David asked me to explore the possibility of serving a curacy at St Nick’s, and I was even more delighted when Rachel and the PCC offered me the opportunity to serve my title with you. I have felt immensely blessed these past few months at the overwhelming welcome I have received and I am very much looking forward to the months and years ahead of journeying alongside you and serving you all as your curate.

Blessings,

Alan

Download the November 2015 edition of the church magazine