Deacon for a Month

Today is the one month anniversary of my ordination to the diaconate... one entire month as a deacon in God's church. And, one entire month as Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Prestwood and Great Hampden. I realise that I have written anything since college ended, and there is definitely a piece to be written about the deaconing retreat and ordination itself. But, as I start a new blog, on a new site, with a new feel and intention - it feels right to 're-introduce' myself.

It still feels completely bonkers to be the Reverend Kayleigh Lucas, but that's who I am, and it takes some getting used to. The expectations people have of you, and the way they interact with you, is different. I wasn't sure how much I would notice it because I had no prior experience of the place I am currently living and so they've only known me as 'the Curate' - they didn't know me when I wasn't ordained and wearing clericals. But it is definitely different. I've had odd looks when I'm putting the bins out, and someone suggesting I shouldn't be putting screenwash in my car 'dressed like that'. I even had students at the Junior School shocked to hear that if they saw me on my day off I wouldn't be wearing black, and then worrying that I didn't like wearing black and I was being forced to wear something I didn't want to. It's emphasised the importance of being a presence, and whilst that means we are visible and need to behave in a certain way it doesn't negate the fact that we are human. We still need to put the bins out in the evening and top up the screenwash in the car.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but what I have experienced is that most people are pleased and grateful to see you 'being normal' and 'more like them'. It makes me wonder what society must still feel about its clergy - that there are certain ways they have to act around us. It allows them to relax a little, which can only be a good thing - because then should they need you they know you're just a normal person under the clericals.

So, this is me - I'm a daughter, a sister, an auntie, a friend... I still do the same things I did before, listen to musicals, watch rugby, drink gin, dye my hair - but now I'm a Deacon... and it does feel different, in a good way, I feel more me than I ever have before. It's lovely to meet you - again.