More than 200 people from across the diocese joined the online Call to Worship service with Bishop Ruth for the start of Archdeaconry Days 2022. The collective worship led by Andy Levett, Growing Faith & Everyday Faith Adviser for Taunton Archdeaconry, begins a week in which we will consider how God calls…everyone, everywhere.
During the service Clarissa Shaw Notice Rector of Deane Vale Benefice reflected on what it means to hear God’s call. “I often think when someone speaks about God’s call, that it has a feel of something grand, or some kind of divine encounter that leads a person to enter a life of service in the church. Maybe as an ordained priest or a prominent leader of great intellect, but in a deeper exploration, through a vast variety of biblical stories it becomes clear that the meaning of God’s call is so much broader.
“God calls us to be fully alive and in that living to grow in faith, serve the church and transform the world.”
Speaking at the end of the service as she thanked everyone for coming, Bishop Ruth said, “Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. She was only 25 when she was called to take on the mantle from her father. 70 years on, at 95 she is continuing that faithful service to our nation.
“Our calling won’t necessarily be regal and royal like hers, but each of us has sensed something of that call of God, that’s why we are here, and this week is an opportunity to consider further where that call takes us.”
The service has been recorded and is available to watch on the Bath and Wells YouTube channel. The order of service is also available to download at the bottom of this page.
Through out the week we will hear from people across the diocese as they share their experience of God’s call. There is still time to sign up to receive the daily content and to attend one of the zoom gatherings on Saturday.