Reverend Rebecca Rock graduated with a Graduate Diploma from St Hild in 2021.
‘I was feeling very pressured and uncertain about the challenge of juggling family life, full-time work and study/formation. The day at Sheffield was surprising in every way, there was freedom in worship that immediately made me aware of God’s presence, I got into a Doctrine lecture with Mark Vasey-Saunders and I chatted with some lovely people over lunch from such a variety of backgrounds that I felt like the two years ahead of me were full of possibilities not just requirements and expectations.’
‘I came to St Hild whilst I was still working in Higher Education Quality Assurance and Educational Development with a particular specialist interest in Student Engagement I found it hard to be plunged into the student role from that position and being in the middle of the lived experience of studying helped in my work.
Rebecca is now continuing her studies, pursuing an MA at St Hild Lincoln.
‘My teenage daughter and my husband have journeyed with me from wrestling with calling, through studying and curacy. They have cried with me, laughed with me, given up things they wanted, proofread my essays, and done every odd jo,b going to church. Ministry is a family business, but unfortunately, the church doesn’t recognise or celebrate or support that well. I loved that at St Hild they were always invited, always welcome and we prayed for one another’s family.’
I’m coming towards the end of my curacy and praying for God to give me a people to love and serve and enable and for a place to build.
The church is built on relationships and God’s spirit brings life and vision to his people, so whilst I’ve been practising all the tasks and activities of ministry, I’ve taken every opportunity to build relationships with the congregation, the community, other local churches and the wider mission partnership in this area. I pray that my curacy church will continue to grow in number and their relationship with God. I pray that those relationships I’ve built will continue to be mutually supportive whatever the future holds.’
For alumni considering further education, Rebecca believes ‘learning should be life-giving and lifelong, it should broaden horizons and deepen faith. For me, that is best experienced in an academic community: sparking off one another and a good teacher; drawing on the thoughts and writings of others; challenging my perceptions and reflecting on my experiences; and being challenged by others’ perceptions and reflecting on their experiences.’
For alumni considering further education, Rebecca believes ‘learning should be life-giving and lifelong, it should broaden horizons and deepen faith. For me, that is best experienced in an academic community: sparking off one another and a good teacher; drawing on the thoughts and writings of others; challenging my perceptions and reflecting on my experiences; and being challenged by others’ perceptions and reflecting on their experiences.”
‘St Hild’s motto Deeper Roots Wider Horizons captures that ethos really well. I would say to anyone considering further study – find out more and see if the people, the place and the opportunities make you feel excited. You will be well supported and you will grow.’
