The Vicar's Wife

Posted in vicar, Vicar's wife job description | Tagged Church, Church of England, CofE, vicar, Vicar's wife, Vicar's wife job description | 10 Comments

10 Responses

1. on 22 July, 2009 at 2:27 pm | Reply Frances Wookey

   I’m sorry, I’m a Vicar rather than a wife, but female clergy often reckon that we take the role of “Vicar’s wife” as well. My husband does a lot in the parish, both admin and he is a licensed Reader, but I find that I do quite a lot of things that I doubt many male clergy do. I think that an active spouse is a great asset, whether wife or husband.

   
   
2. on 22 July, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Reply thevicarswife

   Hi Frances and welcome to our Vicarage. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think an active spouse is a support to the Vicar and therefore should also be a blessing to the parish. It saddens me when people try to portray clergy life as though it is ‘just another job and my family don’t need to be involved’. They do, and that’s part of the joy and also the sacrifice of ministry life.

   
   
3. on 24 July, 2009 at 9:05 pm | Reply Emma

   Hiya, I wrote a really long response to this and then my computer crashed! Typical! I plan to write a relection on all the opinions on my own blog- http://mrsrevj.livejournal.com feel free to add me and keep an eye on it over the weekend when i hope to get something down!

   
   
   • on 24 July, 2009 at 9:43 pm | Reply thevicarswife

     Hi Emma. Welcome to the Vicarage. I look forward to reading your post!

     
     
4. on 29 July, 2009 at 12:14 pm | Reply Another vicar's wife

   Hmm. I think this is such a difficult area. I see my role as supporting my husband in his ministry — and, as part of that and part of my own Christian life, loving the parish as best I can. That love means that I’ll wind up doing things within the parish, although — in my case — I feel it’s better not to have a leadership role. In turn, the parishes of which we have been a part have been deeply loving in terms of what they asked me to do, understanding that there are things I’m no good at whatsoever (I’m lousy at baking, flower arranging and children’s ministry) and things I’m somewhat better at (visiting elderly parishioners, being a listening ear, and using my work experience in ways that may be helpful).

   It seems to me that love of God and neighbour is, in the end, the crux of it all — and that love values the needs, gifts and talents of the individuals and communities involved.

   
   
5. on 17 August, 2009 at 3:55 pm | Reply Shiv

   I have added a long and rambling but sincere and passionate comment as well. Got tired typing fingers now. 😉

   
   
6. on 27 September, 2009 at 6:31 pm | Reply Fran

   slowly i am learning that the fantastic thing about Jesus is that he has given me permission to be who i am and use all my skills in the circumstances he puts us in.

   I have been married to a Vicar for 4 years (so am still very new to the whole idea!) , and am learning all the time that the role i have is seen from many angles from many people and it is my job to show them who i am by helping them take down the masks and badges that they give me by not wearing masks and badges of my own.

   I love your combination of family faith and food! Great subtext for a blog.

   
   
7. on 27 September, 2009 at 8:11 pm | Reply thevicarswife

   Welcome Fran and lovely to hear how you are working your role out. I would love this blog to be a place where we can share our stories of ministry and learn from and encourage one another as we all seek to bring glory to God with the gifts he has given us and in the place he’s put us.

   I’m glad you like the strapline. I’ve posted lots on faith and family and I’m hoping to post a bit more on food soon. The Sunday lunch series will be continuing…

   
   
8. on 5 October, 2009 at 10:50 am | Reply Nicky

   Hi there, I’m enjoying exploring your blog..I have only been a ‘vicar’s wife’ for a bit more than 2 years. I suppose blogging is not something that vicar’s wives are supposed to do, lol!
   Have a blessed week. Nicky

   
   
9. on 5 October, 2009 at 1:57 pm | Reply thevicarswife

   Hi Nicky and welcome. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. I clicked through to yours but it was blank! Is blogspot having some technical trouble?

   
   

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