At only 24 years old Jude Davis has become the youngest priest in the UK. This tenacious young woman knew exactly what she wanted when she was only 17. You know, kind of like when you hear a five year old little girl convinced she’ll be a doctor just like mommy. Yeah, well exactly like that but instead of a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a physiologist or a teacher; Jude decided she wanted to be a priest and join the clergy so she studied Theology.
A very brave, respectable choice if you ask me, I mean can you imagine leaving all the fun things 24 year olds do? But just like any other path or career or vocation whatever as you might want to call it; it becomes a big part of who you are and what you do for the rest of your life as an individual and a human being part of a society.
Good to know Davis enjoys the different roles of her job:
My favorite part of the job is probably when people come to us for the occasional things such as weddings or funerals.
And just like the rest of us that choose to do something in life we ¨enjoy¨this comes with great deal of difficulties sometimes. Jude who is originally from Sheffield, Yorkshire was forced to go through a nine-month interview process to ensure she was right for the role all this at 19 years old.
She undertook years of training before becoming a curate, and in the second year of her curacy became a priest.
‘It’s a very rigorous selection process – you have to go through a series of interviews with different people, both locally and nationally.
When she was 22 she began preaching from her Parish in Yorkshire, after she was ordained into the Church of England two years ago but before that she studied Theology at Cambridge University for three years.
Wondering what other tasks young Jude performs?
She supports support local schools and colleges and help youngsters who may be facing tough challenges in their lives.
She takes every opportunity to talk about her faith to others and to tell them about God and Jesus; since she says is rare people gives you the opportunity without abusing people trust.
Jude was raised into in a Christian household attended a Church of England School and was always encouraged to follow her faith. In her way of life she combines both her faith and that she always knew she wanted to work with people.
Jude has become famous for being the youngest in the Church of England Clergy right after Canon Dr Paul Shackerley; in fact the statistics say she is jus one of 11% of full time priests under the age of 40 in Britain.
Although she recognizes younger priests have less experience she says points out a great advantage since they can relate to younger people easier.
D you think we’ll be seeing more of this trend of young people joining the clergy? Do you know of someone like Jude?
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