This blog is written by Tanita Lee who has completed three years of initial formation for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church in Ireland and is due to be commissioned as a Probationer Minister this coming Saturday afternoon.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.”

These words from Psalm 121 were shared at the first student retreat I attended in September 2018, and again at my final and most recent retreat. God doesn’t deal in coincidences! The timely reminder of these words reminds me that God is faithful, that He is my protector and that He can be depended upon. Throughout the past 3 years, my journey as a formation student has been dotted with twists and turns, highs and lows, seasons of joy and challenge – not least the birth of my daughter in the middle of it all - yet in all things God has been watching over me and protecting me.

 Throughout my studies, I was thankful for the practical placements that are integrated into the formation programme. I was privileged to spend a summer at the Northern Ireland Hospice, shadowing the chaplains there. This placement helped me ground my faith in difficult situations, to share words of comfort and peace from Scripture, and experience a space that was holy ground. I was also a student on the Ballynafeigh circuit in South Belfast working alongside Revs. Maureen Hassard and Buddy Kirwan. I don’t think 3 years ago I could have seen or imagined how much I would grow in myself, in my relationships with others, and in my theological reflective skills. I have been stationed as second minister on the Ballynafeigh Circuit, and am due to move to take up that appointment in a couple of weeks’ time. What a blessing for me and my family to move into the area and serve God more fully over the coming years.

 Between college and ordination, I will continue to study as a probationer minister. This will include some online and in person classes, reading, discussions and seminars with fellow probationers. Personally, I will continue with a coaching course in partnership with Innovista Ireland and Praxis, while my fellow students will continue with their own individual pathways of study.

 For myself and the other 3 students being stationed this year pray for our families. As we make this move, pray for those loved ones we move further away from, pray for those in our families that we bring to live with us - that they settle and find their place, and pray for a smooth transition for us from student to probationer minister. 

 As I pilgrim onwards I lean into God’s strength, trust in His timing, walk in His love and fall into His grace.

Tanita Lee, June 2021

Editor – Leah McKibben, Peter Morris and Philip Patterson will also be commissioned as Probationers at the Conference Commissioning Service on Saturday. Please remember them and their families in your prayers.