Sunday, 15 September, is Vocations Sunday in the Church of Ireland, where all are invited to consider how God calls them to serve.

From the Church of Ireland Vocations website:

Vocation means what you are called by God to be and do. For some, this is a specific calling to ministry. For others, it can mean serving God through faithful discipleship in everyday life.

Vocation isn’t just about being ordained – ordination is not for everyone. Indeed, many of the Church’s ministers are not ordained. Youth and children’s ministers, evangelists, readers and many chaplains are generally not ordained, and are collectively known as lay ministers who serve alongside the ordained.

While the Church is keen to foster vocations to the ordained ministry, there are many ways in which to serve the Church.

If you are wondering what God wants you to do with your life and are keen to explore further the various stages in discerning your call, you will find it helpful to speak with your Rector or local Diocesan Director of Ordinands. They can encourage you, as you prayerfully discern what area of ministry God is calling you to.

A prayer for Vocations:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.