We are continuing the series of stories celebrating our soon-to-be Reverends as we head towards the ordination weekend on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June. Today's story comes from Linnet Frederick.
How was Linnet called?
I was born in Kolar Gold Fields in South India and raised in a devoted Christian family. I studied in an Indian Catholic school. Every morning, school assemblies began with a thought for the day from scripture, followed by weekly catechism and celebrated monthly mass.
I am a sixth-generation Christian, so the Church played a vital role in how I lived and associated with my neighbours of different religions. My parents’ faith in Christ laid the foundation for my understanding of Christianity.
I moved to Sheffield to pursue my Master’s and regularly went to church to cope with a big change in my life. I moved from Sheffield to Surrey to work as a research technician for a clinical trials team at Bart’s Hospital in London. My husband and I worshipped initially at St Mary’s Church, East Molesey and had our son. During my maternity leave, apart from Sunday service, we served at mid-week activities in the church, like the Alpha course, prayer retreats, and cleaning rotas. With a newborn baby, I was feeling lonely and detached from my parents and siblings. The church members soon became a family who took us under their wings.
Not long after, I worked in the NHS as a Cardiac Technician for over eleven years. This was a humbling and greatly blessed time as I journeyed with many individuals at times of great frailty, from the newborns to those of ripe years. Living and working in the community, I encountered people from different parts of the country, each with unique experiences and at various stages in life. Whether in church or within the NHS hospital, it was a pleasure to serve and care for the diverse and vibrant community.
My vocational journey was greatly shaped by St Paul’s, East Molesey. A few members of the congregation asked if I was called to ordained ministry. After seven years, I finally heard God calling me through them and approached my incumbent to explore if I was called to ministry.
The result is my arriving among you to serve the parish of St Andrew’s, Cobham. It is my prayer that, as I have been accepted by and cared for other communities, I will be accepted to serve yours.
And to those thinking of their vocation, God has called everyone. Listen to that little voice that nudges you to serve His creation.
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18