Two journeys of faith lead to new worship roles on Gower

Two women whose journeys into ministry have taken very different paths are taking up new roles as Lay Worship Leaders in the Gower Ministry Area. Louise Rigdon and Lorraine Jackson have spoken about the experiences, challenges and personal faith that have led them to serve their local churches.

Louise was commissioned during the Harvest service at Bishopston on Sunday, October 11, while Lorraine will be commissioned at St John's Church, Penmaen, during its Harvest service on Sunday, October 18.

Both have been preparing for their new roles, which will see them help lead worship and support the life of churches across the Ministry Area.

For Louise, the journey has also opened the door to pastoral ministry and involvement in disability inclusion across the Church in Wales. For Lorraine, it has come during a period of profound personal change, following her husband's diagnosis with a terminal neurodegenerative disease.

Here, they share their stories in their own words.

Louise Rigdon

What do you do when you feel God calling you to serve His people? How do you explore this calling?

Firstly, it takes courage to express that calling. Then, it is the total trust in God, trusting in His calling and trusting in the process.

It has been a privilege to learn, to grow and to serve as a Lay Worship Leader over the past year. God has “prodded” me, sometimes “shoved” me into this training. He has given me the grace to trust in the process, and taught me to learn from the congregations I have had the privilege to serve.

During this process, I have also been led to train as a Pastoral Assistant. This has given me yet another opportunity to explore and serve in a very different, personal way.

My pastoral work has meant that I have developed relationships in different communities, different churches and within different roles.

I took the opportunity and my wealth of experiences to apply to the new Church in Wales Disability Welcome Delivery Group. I was successful, and represent on the committee as a lay church member and a proud parent of a young person with additional needs.

All of these experiences, and obeying the call to serve, have brought me closer to our ever-loving God!

So, for me, it is quite a day! And, as I quoted Augustine of Hippo at the beginning — to know God is life! To serve is freedom! To praise God is the soul's joy and delight!

Lorraine Jackson

No one knows what lies ahead.

I became a Christian on a Gower Beach Mission at 15 and have travelled the ups and downs of life ever since. I've enjoyed life to its fullest, sometimes not acknowledging God at all, and at other times, walking alongside Him. But even when I strayed, He has always been by my side.

But life wasn't supposed to end up like this...

My husband; my soulmate; terminally ill in his 50s, his body shutting down with a devastating neurodegenerative disease.

My professional career dreams ceased abruptly with no ability to deliver my five-year and ten-year goals for national trauma care in the NHS.

And our daily living foisted upon my dear parents, who have opened their home to give us a place to live.

Or was it?

I am back on Gower, surrounded by family and friends near and far, able to come back into the church I grew up in and first found faith, with God tapping on my shoulder saying:

“Come to me, you who are weary — and I will give you rest!

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul.”

In this moment, I know that anything I face, or any burden I have to carry, will not be on my own.

Andy and I don't have to face these sufferings on our own.

I can still support my NHS dreams for patients and colleagues, it's just that it's not my role to deliver the agenda.

My parents' love, support and hospitality provide a safe haven and the groundwork for living a life looking after each other day by day.

My priorities have changed, but maybe it was God's plan all along. My calling is to tell those I meet that they don't have to carry the burdens of this life's journey alone either.

God loves us. He always has done. We just need to let Him in to give us strength to live each day.

Find out more about vocations in the diocese →