Next steps and holy friendships ...

Well, have been back from my placement a week ... and what a busy week it's been! Started back college, celebrated birthdays, met with friends for dinner, met with other friends for coffee, went back to work at the cafe, had first Sunday back at East Mains ...

I loved my placement. The churches I was with were fab and I learned so much when I was there. Having a female minister and supervisor made such a difference too - can't begin to say what a blessing that was!

One things I've realised in the time away, and through various conversations, is the importance of holy friendships. By that I mean the kind of friendships that shape you. There are various types of friendships, people that you're close to on a variety of levels, all of whom are needed. But then there are those friendships, often extremely intentional, that you simply can't live without. These are the people you share with the most openly and honestly, the ones who challenge and encourage you, the ones you share joys and sorrows with. Some of these will be the kinds where you share 'ministry' or debate and discuss 'theological tuff' with, yet equally some you won't. And one of the things every woman in ministry I spoke to shared was how much they needed those networks of other women they had developed - the holy friendships they had found in each other. In truth, while networks of women are needed like that, getting together with men that you have that kind of friendship with too is also equally as important. Holy friendships are the kinid in which together you shape each other, seeking the best for the other and together journeying to be and do all God calls you too, as you conform more fully to God's image.

None of this may make sense to people, but it makes sense to me. The time away was good for me to re-evaluate friendships and re-remember those friends that I have that kind of friendship with (you all know who you are!). It has also reminded me of my need for them, and without being big headed or anything, their need for me, for friendship is a two-way thing. I think what I realised is that all the stuff that I do may be good stuff, but if I'm not also intentionally taking time to cultivate and maintain those holy friendships then actually my growth is stunted. So that's one of the things that will form my next moves as I come back from placement - making sure my holy friends know how much I value them, and intentionally cultivating time to spent deepening relationships with them.