Minister

Hello,

I’m Ruth and am Minister to the 3 churches that make up the North Enfield Pastorate of United Reformed Churches; Bush Hill Park URC, Christ Church URC and Lancaster Road URC.

This is my first pastorate after being ordained in September 2023. I trained at Westminster College in Cambridge which is one of the URC Resource Centres of Learning which is part of the Cambridge Theological Federation. This allowed me to learn and worship alongside other denominations giving a greater sense of God’s church working together despite our denominational differences.

Before coming into full time ministry I have had the opportunity of having jobs that have prepared me for my present role. I left school and went straight into my training to be a nurse. I qualified as a staff nurse in 1989, which seems an awfully long time ago now! I enjoyed a very varied nursing career but left the profession after 12 years. I decided that any jobs moving ahead, had to fit around my children- something I realise I was extremely blessed to be able to do. These new roles included being employed by Citizens Advice Bureau where I specialised in disability benefits, being a childminder, working in a chemist shop and being a classroom assistant as well as the many roles I volunteered for within the church. I have been an Elder, co-led youth clubs, run toddler groups, prepared and led intergenerational services and had pastoral oversight of church members and the wider community.

In terms of life experiences, my father suffered a massive stroke when I was 2 which left him with mental and physical disabilities and unable to speak. I was orphaned at 15 and lived in the care of a family friend. I have been divorced, a single mum, remarried (for 28 years to my husband Stuart), been a carer for an elderly aunty and mother to 2 daughters, who are now grown up. I was brought up in church because my father, up until his stroke, was also a minister but didn’t ask Jesus to come into my life until 16. I needed him because I’d lost so much! My life has been bumpy at times and it’s at these times that I have been especially aware of God’s presence. My faith is in a God who is alive and very real, who turns up in extraordinary ways, who reminds me that I’m loved despite being imperfect, loud and grumpy at times (well probably more times than I’m happy to admit!) My heart is for people to have this relationship with God too. He’s someone I can turn to in the darkest hours of the night when I can’t sleep. He was there for me when I had a cancer scare recently, and held me together when my youngest daughter nearly died. He is my strength when I’m just bone wearily exhausted both physically and mentally. He’s all that he promises to be – my safe place and strength and He wants to be yours too.

In my spare time I love quizzes and gardening (when my husband’s done all the hard labour of digging!!!!) Oh and having a really good laugh – one of the many glorious gifts God has given us!

God Bless and you will be very welcome to come and meet the church family at any time.

Rev. Ruth.