After blogging for a few months under false pretences (I was a curate’s wife at the time) I have recently become a real grown-up vicar’s wife as my husband has now been inducted as the vicar of a multi-cultural inner-city parish in the West Midlands. Our previous parish was a few miles away in a very similar area.
We have three small children, the Queen, the Joker and the Engineer, a cat with a mutant tail, leaky bathroom sinks, finger marks on every (very recently painted) wall, too much laundry and vital small plastic parts from toys all over the house.
Before becoming a full time mum I was a chartered mechanical engineer working in the water industry, mainly designing water and sewage treatment plants for the developing world. This background has not been totally inappropriate for my current role.
I hate housework and love talking and baking. Welcome to our Vicarage.
Ah! I thought this was you. But then I was confused and decided it must be the actual vicar’s wife. Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging.
My dad said I shouldn’t have called it the vicar’s wife, but I wanted a name that would last!
Just found this and it is brilliant!
I am a the daughter of a vicar and the wife of a curate (due to be ordained 5th July).
I am also in the West Midlands.
I have a feeling I am going to become addicted to this blog.
Very pleased you like the blog, Shiv – welcome to the Vicarage. I pray that the next couple of months go well for you as your husband begins his curacy.
Great to meet you. I come from Hagley – West Midlands. Thanks for the twitter follow – I’m following you too. I like your style.
God bless you and your ministry
Rachel at Re vis.e Re form
Lovely to meet you too Rachel. You’re very welcome to our busy Vicarage. I’ve been reading your blog on and off and always enjoy your comments on the Ugley Vicar.
Speaking as a bloke, but one who has worked as a lay officer in the CofE for many years and been part of inner city parishes where I spent a lot of time hanging around in the vicarage, I can totally see where you’re coming from (or should that be: coping with).
Is having “the largest garden in the neighbourhood” a blessing or a feature that further alienates the locals from the Church? (i.e Why should the vicarage be any different from the terraced or council houses?) I can see that with a young family and their friends you use it to your advantage, but it still sets you apart.
By the way, have you come across the Messy Church movement yet? http://www.messychurch.org.uk It could be helpful with engaging the local families and your work in the parish.
May the Lord give you the strength and love to cope and survive in your role!
Best wishes,
Graham
Welcome to the Vicarage Graham and thank you for your comments.
We always tell folk that the house comes with the job, and that it costs a bomb to heat, and so far people haven’t been resentful at all. It’s wonderful to be able to bless people with the space we have and so far I think the house has been a gospel asset rather than a hindrance.
I was just looking at Messy Church the other day and thought they had some interesting ideas. I think we are already doing some similar things already – feeding people, creative stuff etc – our monthly All Age service has puppets and refreshments, though it’s always good to think about how things could be more effective.
Hi
My husband has just started training at theological college so I thought I would see what’s in store for me!!!
Welcome Suzanne. I hope you enjoy reading. And enjoy college too – we had a great time in training.