Denise writes:

I was born and bred in London, though more East of North than West. I belong to the time when parents sent their children to Sunday school to get a bit of peace and quiet at the weekend, but they were astonished when I married a priest. I had always wanted to be a doctor and still think that was my first calling. So we juggled a family (two children and assorted relatives) and two full time jobs, first in East London, then in South West London. Some 18 years ago we moved to Devon, where I had obtained my second consultant post. Those around me recognise that most activities I rope people into will result in getting cold, wet and probably muddy, Devon's moors and beaches proved ideal!

The various challenges associated with the second half of life led me to take the spiritual side of my life more seriously. In an overlapping series I was professed as a Franciscan tertiary, took an MA in Christian Spirituality at Sarum, explored vocation and was trained for the priesthood at Westcott in Cambridge. Just before going to Westcott I retired from my NHS career. It was a slightly odd experience being a university student at the same time as my son, albeit a few hundred miles apart. I then served my curacy in Plymstock, part of Plymouth.

Looking for a job at the end of my curacy a number of God-incidences led to our returning to London. I am delighted to be able to express my vocation by working at sswsj half time, giving space for other interests, including the cold and wet ones!