Introducing Jayne	Archive
Dear All As I write I am still working hard as a Hospital Chaplain in Merseyside, but I am also feeling very excited about my move to be with you next month! It has been wonderful to be kept in touch with all the plans in hand for the Induction Service when I look forward to meeting many of you and to becoming a part of the church and community of Cross Town. I have been asked to introduce myself to you through this letter so here goes! I come from a small family, most of whom now live in Leicestershire, though I was born and brought up in Rugby, of Rugby football fame, and then in Lincoln. Some of you know I like to sing and that started as a school girl performing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas and then in rather more serious concerts in Lincoln Cathedral as a member of a large Choral Society. After graduating at Reading in Sociology I was accepted for training for ministry as a Deaconess. I took up my place at Durham after a year out working for a firm of Accountants. Ordained Deaconess in Lichfield Cathedral I enjoyed 8 years in Parish Ministry from 1982, before moving into Hospital Chaplaincy in 1990. This move took me back to the East Midlands and to Nottingham, where one of the things that helped me to wind down after a demanding day on the wards was learning the craft of bobbin lace-making. This has continued to be a passion of mine and I am glad that even though I am moving I can continue my membership of the North Cheshire Lacemakers Group! During my time in Nottingham I was among the first women to be ordained as Priest – that happened in June 1994 and was a wonderful part of my spiritual journey. Three years later I moved to Peterborough Hospitals to take a more senior role and from there I came to Merseyside in 2002. I have been very happy here and have a fulfilling ministry, but last year sensed that God was calling me in a new direction. There are aspects of parish ministry that I know I am missing and I long to belong again to a church family, to celebrate with people in their times of joy as well as to be with people in their times of sadness and difficulty. I enjoy giving hospitality and since I am single I shall have plenty of room at the Vicarage to welcome you there! As well as enjoying every aspect of ministry I am also aware of the need for spiritual nourishment and so my times apart are important to me for rest and re-creation. Over the years I have valued retreats and quiet days on Holy Island, at the Convent of the Holy Cross in Leicestershire and at Lee Abbey. Holidays and days off are important too and I am glad I shall still be close to the Lake District. Reading and cinema going I enjoy – most recent film is ‘Mamma Mia’, and, by contrast, my most recent book, ‘Tokens of Trust’ by Rowan Williams! My younger sister will be at the Induction Service together with one of her four children, my nephew Thomas. I know you will be glad to welcome them along with many friends and former colleagues who will also be with us. I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming months, to hearing of your hopes and fears for the Church of St Cross and our community and to celebrating the new life that God gives to us as individuals and as the Body of Christ. Jayne Shepherd, Vicar Designate.

Introducing Jayne

Archive

Dear All

As I write I am still working hard as a Hospital Chaplain in Merseyside, but I am also feeling very excited about my move to be with you next month! It has been wonderful to be kept in touch with all the plans in hand for the Induction Service when I look forward to meeting many of you and to becoming a part of the church and community of Cross Town.

I have been asked to introduce myself to you through this letter so here goes! I come from a small family, most of whom now live in Leicestershire, though I was born and brought up in Rugby, of Rugby football fame, and then in Lincoln. Some of you know I like to sing and that started as a school girl performing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas and then in rather more serious concerts in Lincoln Cathedral as a member of a large Choral Society. After graduating at Reading in Sociology I was accepted for training for ministry as a Deaconess. I took up my place at Durham after a year out working for a firm of Accountants.

Ordained Deaconess in Lichfield Cathedral I enjoyed 8 years in Parish Ministry from 1982, before moving into Hospital Chaplaincy in 1990. This move took me back to the East Midlands and to Nottingham, where one of the things that helped me to wind down after a demanding day on the wards was learning the craft of bobbin lace-making. This has continued to be a passion of mine and I am glad that even though I am moving I can continue my membership of the North Cheshire Lacemakers Group!

During my time in Nottingham I was among the first women to be ordained as Priest – that happened in June 1994 and was a wonderful part of my spiritual journey. Three years later I moved to Peterborough Hospitals to take a more senior role and from there I came to Merseyside in 2002. I have been very happy here and have a fulfilling ministry, but last year sensed that God was calling me in a new direction. There are aspects of parish ministry that I know I am missing and I long to belong again to a church family, to celebrate with people in their times of joy as well as to be with people in their times of sadness and difficulty. I enjoy giving hospitality and since I am single I shall have plenty of room at the Vicarage to welcome you there!

As well as enjoying every aspect of ministry I am also aware of the need for spiritual nourishment and so my times apart are important to me for rest and re-creation. Over the years I have valued retreats and quiet days on Holy Island, at the Convent of the Holy Cross in Leicestershire and at Lee Abbey. Holidays and days off are important too and I am glad I shall still be close to the Lake District. Reading and cinema going I enjoy – most recent film is ‘Mamma Mia’, and, by contrast, my most recent book, ‘Tokens of Trust’ by Rowan Williams!

My younger sister will be at the Induction Service together with one of her four children, my nephew Thomas. I know you will be glad to welcome them along with many friends and former colleagues who will also be with us.

I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming months, to hearing of your hopes and fears for the Church of St Cross and our community and to celebrating the new life that God gives to us as individuals and as the Body of Christ.

Jayne Shepherd, Vicar Designate.