Whom should I contact?
If you feel God might be calling you to some kind of vocation, it's good to have an initial conversation with your vicar or chaplain. If they are supportive, you should contact The Revd Giles Carpenter who is the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, who has oversight of the selection and training of candidates for ordained ministry. Giles is assisted by the Deputy Diocesan Director of Ordinands, The Revd Jamie Gater . Giles or Jamie will arrange to meet with you as a first step.
For enquiries about non ordained ministry you should contact Gregory Moore the Officer for Lay Ministry and Training.
Vocations Advisers
The Diocese has a team of Vocations Advisors who support those in the first stage of the discernment process. At this stage, enquirers meet with their Vocations Advisor over a period of months, and join a Vocation Enquirer's Group. Our Vocations Advisors are from a range of parishes across Sussex, and are trained to support this initial phase of listening to the call of God.
Assistant DDOs
Assistant DDOs do more in depth work with ordination candidates, and prepare them for the formal stages of the discernment process, including the stages whcih form part of the national process. They are also from a range of parishes and backgrounds, and are trained to work at a deeper level, as men and women respond to God's call to service.
Mentors for Ordained Ministry
The Diocesan Vocations Team is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds, but you may value the support offered from the Church of England Mentor Directory.
This resource is for those at any stage on the journey towards ordained vocations, who might feel that they would like to have a knowledgeable friend, who is like them, to accompany them along the way.
All the Mentors are volunteers who are passionate about supporting future clergy. While your Mentor will not be making decisions on your process, they will be available to offer support, encouragement and guidance.
You and your Mentor decide when, how and how often to meet and they will walk with you for as long as you need them to. For more information, go here.