Natalie Introduces Herself........

It is with great joy and excitement that I am writing this introduction to myself for Church Alive! as my husband Joseph and I prepare to move to Swanage as I become your new curate. I am currently studying at Westcott House in Cambridge where we have been for three years, prior to which we lived in Salisbury. We are really looking forward to being back in Salisbury Diocese again, and even more so in such a beautiful part of the country.

Before starting training for ordination I had a career in the art world most recently as an Auctioneer specialising in Rock, Pop and Film Memorabilia, a career, I thought that would be lifelong as it combined my passions for art, music and research. However, it seems God had other plans! After beginning to sense a call about ten years ago (which as someone from a Christian, but not church-going family was a real shock to everyone I can tell you!), I moved to Salisbury where I worked in fundraising for the Cathedral for a few years between auctioneering jobs. Whilst I was working out whether ordination was the path for me, taking part in services in the Cathedral in a variety of roles including a Deputy Cantor and singing in the Cathedral’s Chamber Choir, I met my now husband Joseph, who was a verger at the time. He is from a family of priests and so luckily the thought of marrying a future priest didn’t shock him too much!We both have the shared love of hiking and so are excited to be so close to the South West costal path. As someone who is very musical and currently sing in St Edmund’s College Chapel Schola at Cambridge, I am also delighted to have been placed in a team with such a strong choral tradition.During my time at Westcott I have studied for a BA in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge University alongside formation for ministry. In this past year I have been studying for a Postgraduate Certificate and went on exchange to Yale University in the US. I have also been very lucky to have been on an incredibly diverse range of placements in rural, urban and college settings in the UK and the US. I have really enjoyed getting to know lots of new people and this is one of the things I am most looking forward to about our move to Swanage and Studland.I am delighted to now be preparing for the final lead up to my ordination and for all that God has in store for Joseph and I as we join this new community.