Vanessa Parr

Vanessa Parr has travelled a long way since attending a CPAS You and Ministry weekend seven years ago. Now a curate in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, she still has fond memories of the role those 48 hours played in exploring her vocation.

She said: 'I came to the You and Ministry weekend quite confused, fragile and uncertain, having had conflicting advice about vocations before then. What I found most useful at the weekend was finding a place of compassion and understanding where I felt cared for, because the leaders created a welcoming and loving environment.

'The talks were informative and gave me clarity, which led me out of a place of confusion. The other delegates were also encouraging because we talked together and heard each other's perspectives on how God may be calling us. However, the thing that stands out most was a deeply compassionate one-to-one conversation with one of the leaders which proved to be a very healing experience.'

Having worked as a volunteer church worker for a year - gaining a broad range of experiences including youth work, pastoral care, and preaching - Vanessa attended a selection conference in April 2005 and was then recommended for training at Trinity College, Bristol, where the course further encouraged her to pursue a mission-focused ministry.

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