I’m Helen, Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministry — though I never imagined retirement would take me here. After 35 years teaching, faith was always my anchor, but ministry was something I squeezed in around school life.
Four years ago, everything shifted. I left my relationship, moved into Norwich, and felt a strong pull towards serving God more fully. Voluntary chaplaincy at the Cathedral lit a spark: the energy of the building, the peace, the conversations, the privilege of praying with strangers. At the same time, teaching was draining me. With God’s nudge becoming impossible to ignore, I took early retirement.
And then life exploded with opportunity. I helped launch a community café, supported local neighbourhoods, continued chaplaincy, joined charity boards, mentored LLMs, and worked at All Hallows Guesthouse. Just when I wondered what might come next, an unexpected email arrived — and suddenly I was being commissioned as the Bishop’s Adviser for LLMs.
Since then, it’s been full-on: meeting many of our LLMs across the Diocese, navigating new national regulations, organising training, presenting papers, and rediscovering the joy of being part of a team.
Retirement hasn’t slowed me down — it’s opened doors I didn’t even know existed. You never know where God will lead you next.