Is it me, Lord?
From specialist palliative care nurse to priest in three years. Ordinand Hermione Long talks to Chris Purkiss about vocation, training, and how life has changed.
Taking a big step like this, you went through a rigorous and, at times, traumatic selection process to be where you are now. How did it happen?
Selection happened quite quickly in the end so I was working right up until I began training. I was provincially selected in July 2005, still working through August, and in College by September.
Let's go back a bit. How did you decide upon nursing?
I was about thirteen and deciding on options at school when I felt I had a calling to be a nurse. I did my A levels in Kent, near Sevenoaks, where I was brought up, and where my father still lives. Then I went to London to train. I could have taken a degree in nursing then, but chose to train on the job in the traditional way.
London was great, but when the time came to move on, I had already decided to specialise in the care of cancer patients. I met a Pastor from the Valleys on holiday, who mentioned that Wales has very good training facilities and why didn't I come on a visit to find out more. I did, went to Rhosilli in the pouring rain, and fell in love with Wales!
I contacted people regarding the cancer nursing course, and was told that Iwould stand a better chance of getting on it if I lived in Wales. I found a job in Cardiff working nights, and got onto the intensive six month course. Then I went into palliative care.
So you were settled in a new job, for which you seem to have a vocation. Where did the still small voice come from - or was it a loud message?
I've always had a strong faith, and went on retreat to St. Non's at St. David’s. I was talking to others about what we did for a living etc. When I said I was in palliative care, and had been for sixteen years, the general comment was, "That's a long time." I thought about this. There was no doubt that my job was taking its toll emotionally. I had recently lost a patient who was my exact age, and had begun to think, ”I can't do this for the next thirty years."
I began to realise that my vocation might be changing. I talked to family and friends, and without exception everybody mentioned the ministry. As planned, I went off on holiday to Italy, thinking and praying all the time and the thought didn't go away. When I came home, I talked with my Dad (an experienced Lay Reader) and he suggested I speak to my Vicar.
I subsequently had a two hour conversation with Revd Arthur Edwards (my vicar in Caerleon), in which he talked adout all aspects of the priesthood, playing devil's advocate a bit. He then asked me how I felt. I was really excited!
I was surprised that he wasn't totally negative or advising me to wait longer. He contacted the Diocesan Director of Ordinands and I began to prepare for formal selection.
So why did you choose St. Michael's College?
St. Michael's was having a Vocations Day. I had been quite hesitant about St. Michael's, known as traditional and Anglo-Catholic, which was not my scene really. I contacted them a week before, and went along on the day, arriving at the same time as Provincial Secretary, Mary Stallard, who made me coffee and introduced me before the day started.
The day consisted of talks and discussion about what the College had to offer. I felt really comfortable and somehow right. At the end of the day we had a service in the chapel, and to my surprise I found myself praying ‘I want to come here. I will be serving the Church in Wales; I want to come to a Welsh college’.
I thought that when you went to St. Michael's you trained to be a priest: so what do you mean by "what the college had to offer?"
There are different courses; ordinands may train for the stipendiary ministry which is a full time course or for the non-stipendiary ministry, a part time course. Within these you have the degree courses, BA, BTh, Masters, Diploma. The College has also started doing the training for Lay Reader ministry. What you have already done informs which course you take.
Then there are the core skills - the things you need to do the job, such as mission and practical skills, parish or chaplaincy placements, and College worship. You do have help with what is involved in running a parish, but part of selection focuses on what skills you can bring.
I had to discover at what level I was. Having a degree in nursing, I didn't know whether I was going to do a degree or a diploma course. I'm following the degree course, but will come out with a diploma because I'm only at St. Michael's for two years, although I will be doing some third year modules this year so that I gain knowledge in the necessary aspects which haven't already been covered.
You're impressed so far?
St. Michael's is going through quite a period of change at the moment. The academic staff are all fairly new and the Bench of Bishops has decided that everyone training in Wales must go to St. Michael's. So people from all traditions are coming in, which enriches our worship and teaches us to relate to and work with each other, adding a depth and breadth to all that’s happening here.
Most of the lectures are held in the University. That was another thing that attracted me to St. Michael's. We have access to the university facilities, and join with students from the Baptist College and non-ordinand university theology students.
What about living in college?
Living in college is interesting! They have a mixture of accommodation. On-site students tend to be single because of the accommodation available - flats, bedsits and study bedrooms. Ordinands whose families come with them tend to live off-site.
How have you enjoyed being in a parish placement?
What has struck me forcibly is how much has been new, both in and out of church. I really enjoyed my placement at St. Basil's, Bassaleg. I was supported in everything I did. The timetable was well thought out. Firstly, attend services and get a feel for the place and my part there, doing the things I felt comfortable with, such as the intercessions, whilst getting used to wearing robes and sitting in the chancel. Then it was all planned, e.g. Next month you'll preach, and after Christmas sing Evensong.
I went at a good pace and was supported so it didn't feel threatening. I had a lot of feedback – constructively critical as well as complimentary.
When College starts back in September, I'm at Glan Ely in Cardiff. Hopefully I can organise a couple of intensive weeks working almost full time within the parish.
What about the future?
I've spent the last year thinking, "This can't be happening!" It's amazing that when I was on placement in South Korea for a month in the summer, I had no contact with anyone by phone or email for the first two weeks. It was God-given headspace, and by the time the two weeks were up I had come to terms with the fact that I am being called and trained to be a priest; it is happening, and I'm ok with it.
Coming to terms with this finally happened on the day before I accessed my emails giving me news about discussions with Bishop Dominic regarding curacy posts, and the date of my proposed ordination in June 2007.