Community related church worker (CRCW), Lisa Wigfield, reflects on how tragic personal circumstances shaped her journey through CRCW ministry, and led her to a very familiar setting.

I had been running a church project full-time when I heard a call to formalise the work I was doing within my local community. I studied for a HE diploma in contextual theology and church related community work at Luther King House in Manchester and thrived.

I loved learning, meeting new people, and the discussions in and out of lectures. I found college life great, and life was good.

In 2015, I was just into my second year of training when my life took a sudden and unexpected turn. I became a widow and I began to question my call.

I’m pleased to say that I continued with my studies and, through the support received from both staff and students, my college, family and friends, I am beginning a journey into church related community work but in a different way to my fellow CRCWs.

I find myself back at my own church, Shiregreen United Reformed Church in South Yorkshire, having left four years ago to begin training for CRCW ministry. I work part-time as a church and community development worker – a role in line with a CRCW role, but with a different title.

My role is to help the church look at developing new opportunities for provision both inside and outside its walls – to be a voice in the community, working with other local churches of all denominations – and to consider new ways in which the church might engage with the local community.

I feel privileged to have been asked to undertake this work, engaging with, supporting and walking alongside people from all walks of life.

Some may say it’s better to venture out into the unknown rather than stick to what is familiar. But all I can say is that I believe God has a purpose for me. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. Some may say I took the easy option [working at Shiregreen URC], but I believe to truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus – to live the life of Christ today and to share it with the world around you whether in large-scale ways or small – is not the easy option, it’s challenging.

This is an edited extract from Lisa’s reflection entitled: So, the question is: what am I doing here? found in the News and Events section of the URC’s church related community work webpage. Click here to read the rest of Lisa’s story.