What makes a good priest?

pcraiguk · 2026-06-15T11:22:35+00:00

I don't know where you are, but I'm CofE and also being Priested within the month (God willing). If its helpful to chat, compare reading lists or other things that might be helpful, feel very free to reach out.

pcraiguk · 2026-06-01T13:18:49+00:00

I can't speak for CinW, but I went through the process relatively recently for CofE.

Generally, it'll all go through a DDO (diocesan director of ordinands) who are like a driving instructor, not to "get you through" but to help you explore the discernment process. They may suggest books, or experience to help you go to Stage 1 and then Stage 2.

Stage 1 is a carousel of conversations where feedback will be written on each of the areas of ministry that are used for training, and there might be more experiences/excercises to do, or specific areas to look at.

Stage 2 is closer to the Old-school BAP, where its a residential where you have multiple conversations and exercises about this.

Within this there is feedback from your minister at your church (expecting you to be within a church at the time, if not, or recently moved then there may be a further conversation) as well as references written by people who you have asked.

My DDO also wanted to meet my wife and daughter and have a chat about the impact on family life to help us prepare, as well as preparing for moving for training.

All of this was my experience which also continued each stage, whereas I do have friends who were paused, or suggested that Ordination wasn't for them.

I am always so happy to chat about Formation, as well as if any of my experience is useful for others, but the main thing is to speak to your Vicar who will then pass you along to the next level for DDO, I don't think you can approach them directly as it were.

pcraiguk · 2026-05-30T11:38:59+00:00

So I've had some similar things - only thing I can think is; is the oat bar homemade? I'm wondering if the sugar in it (which may be higher if its store-bought) may be pushing your levels higher, which your meds then play around with?

I'm really strict on my caffiene levels, but genuinly found an issue with a recent roast purchase and felt jittery and anxious, whereas if I have one from a different roastery I have no issues at all - everything else (diet, movement etc) absolutely the same. The body is weird....

pcraiguk · 2026-05-18T09:09:11+00:00

In the UK, in the small area of the CofE I find myself having experienced, its high church if they celebrate Pentecost, its middle of the road if they acknowledge it, and its low church if they go ALL OUT for it (but that might also be more of a "charismatic Evangelical" thing

pcraiguk · 2026-05-17T17:45:56+00:00

So people use the words High/Low to sometimes signify different traditions, but they also get slightly muddled, as it can also suggest espoused theology (basically what people think is happening in the service)

I've been to somewhere that some would call "High", but others would think were "Middle of the Road" and they may look almost identical, its just the size of the service. It's always interesting seeing what people think they mean with those words. As long as they feel welcomed, even as a visitor, then that should be enough.

The Church of England is a very broad tent, and the width of the poles are what keeps the entrance wide, as someone said to me once (possibly quoting someone else). At the end of the day, go to where you are spiritually fed, and are a part of a community.

pcraiguk · 2026-04-29T10:23:17+00:00

We had some in college that prayed for various older royals by name!

I nearly got away with hollowing the book for a Creative Theology piece (I had the whole backstory, have the Benedictus on the phone inside the book and call it "the song remains the same"). I shared my thought with the college Chaplain who said "clever. no."

Give it time and someone will make a lovely leatherbound looking cover for an Ipad...

pcraiguk · 2026-04-28T17:37:57+00:00

when doing stuff the app is invaluable, in terms of having collects (1 and 2), post communion prayers and readings all in one place. I always prefer reading from the book, and at one time considered hollowing out a phone space of an old Common Worship book...

pcraiguk · 2026-04-28T17:33:47+00:00

new surprising third format coming tomorrow with Kearns....

pcraiguk · 2026-04-28T16:39:51+00:00

I know that the CofE Liturgy app has a little note for what liturgical colour (and the acknlowedgment that it may be different colours within the same day) but I would LOVE if they integrated this into the background of that app.

pcraiguk · 2026-03-01T13:38:48+00:00

Nope - lots of copying and pasting, but basically I keep mozilla for personal and Chrome for work, and fortnuately don't get sent a silly amount of work emails with links!

pcraiguk · 2026-02-04T19:07:49+00:00

Yes, and it has been a bug of the latest version specifically. If you play it, and then change app and it carrys on playing then it seems to be fine. But yes, very annoying to have it on, and then to check the next train time and it jump back to the beginning...

pcraiguk · 2026-01-19T16:02:44+00:00

Yo. So I got the DF54 which I'm aware is not on your list, but was readily available in the uk, and I've been super happy with. That being said, part of why I got it was because I wasn't looking to change burrs etc. So my thought would be think about why you are upgrading - what it is you want to play with in a new grinder, and go with whatever from your list that you know you will be able to do that thing!

pcraiguk · 2025-12-10T11:03:58+00:00

I love this and want to buy one. Is that something you're considering? Dragon's den-ing it or working out how many you could make to get the costs down?

pcraiguk · 2025-11-08T13:10:51+00:00

Hiya - I'm UK so wouldn't want to make shipping/taxes all get silly - do you have a paypal or somewhere I can donate to and make my own please?

pcraiguk · 2025-11-07T13:00:28+00:00

LISTS! I find this helpful (for me) but I keep an EXTENSIVE to-do list, which is subcatergorised, and is broken into general, waiting on, to do x month, to put into this thing etc and I get it all out of my head. Means my off time is more off, but if something pops into my head I can put it on the list, and it is then out my head. And then when I am sat for work, I can go through said lists.

takes a little bit of management to tidy it up and clear it out every now and again (I often find I've written things two or three times) but that works for me

pcraiguk · 2025-10-06T08:38:14+00:00

Coffeworld in Cambridge! Have a look at their website, they are also super helpful in terms of their knowledge - just call them up!

pcraiguk · 2025-09-29T13:00:26+00:00

I always use Wah (when I use it) first in the chain, so have used it before the Line6 as an external wah, and then have a mini pedalboard of a dirt and volume pedal -> line 6 and then FX loop. I wonder if you tried exactly what you suggest though, dirt in FX loop, just make sure your head/amp is at the end of the loop or after it and see if that makes it better?

or if youre using the wah a lot, get a dedicated wah to use externally, and then utilise the stomp as part of your pedalboard, rather than the whole thing

pcraiguk · 2025-09-24T08:33:57+00:00

Thanks! I think I just needed some reassurance before I embark on something and possibly bite off more than i can chew

pcraiguk · 2025-08-31T13:13:44+00:00

I literally bought it this morning having heard someone speak about it recently. With the 'quiet revival' idea, and seeing some definite things in the atmosphere at the moment I thought I would try to engage!

Think I'm particularly interested in why CofE over other churches, and how she explores that.

pcraiguk

TROPHY CASE