A FORMER dental nurse, who said the “call from God got louder and louder” has begun her training in Barnard Castle.
Curate Sarah Cliff was among 19 people who were ordained by the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, on Sunday, June 30, during a ceremony at Durham Cathedral after two years of religious training at Cranmer Hall.
Ms Cliff, who was born and bred and Darlington, has now moved to Barnard Castle and as curate will continue her training under the tutelage of Revd Canon Alec Harding, vicar at St Mary’s Parish Church.
She said although she has always been a Christian, the “call from God started as a whisper”.
After school she became a dental nurse before trying her hand at several other jobs, most latterly in vehicle finance, collecting revenues.
She added: “A lot of people hear the call later in the life. For me the still, small call of God got louder and louder.
“So now instead of collecting money I will be collecting people for God,” she added.
Ms Cliff will spend the next three to four years honing her skills at St Mary’s Parish Church.
She added: “I think of this next stage of my training as rather like learning to drive. I have got my L-plates off, but I still have a lot to learn.”
She said she has been bowled over by the warm welcome she has already received from parishioners and is looking forward to meeting more people in the community.
Revd Harding said: “Sarah comes us to at a very exciting time.
“There is a real sense of excitement, not only with the news of our Lottery grant, but the great things happening at the school and at Whorlton.”
