Jeri-Lee Jones |
Student Minister Introduction
Hello! My name is Jeri-Lee Jones and I am the Student Minister here at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge. I have lived in Estevan for the last 10 years with my Common-law husband Mike, and together we have two children Maxwell and Elianna.
My participation within the United Church began before I can even remember. I was brought up within the United Church, however I strayed as a teenager and young adult. I found my way back once I had become a mother. I enjoy the community that is offered within the walls of the church here at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge that has become my home; as I have formed some amazing friendship here.
When I found my way back to the church a few years ago, I finally felt at peace with my soul which is something that I don’t recall ever having felt before. I quickly felt the urge to get involved with the leadership of the church, it spiraled from there with me pulling off Vacation Bible School within 6 weeks in the summer of 2015, to becoming the Sunday School Director, to become the Christian Education Director of the Leadership Committee, to signing up for the Licensed Lay Worship Leader program, to joining Twin Valleys Presbytery, to starting my discernment process by the winter of 2017. All of these things although it all happened relatively fast, it felt good to be doing positive volunteer work within the community, and to be growing spiritually.
My call to discipleship began when I was a teenager, however I did not except this call in my youth as I truly did not comprehend then ‘the call’ like I do today. My journey over the last few years of this whole process began while discerning enrolling in the LLWL program, and has continued to be emotional and soul searching process. Through my recent LLWL program I have found myself continually becoming more excited about theology as well as my understanding of the process I have been guided into and I have felt that this was truly something that I was meant for.
In the spring of 2018 I meet with the Saskatchewan UCCan Interview Committee. This committee approved me to start my formal training as a Designated Lay Minister, and to find a part time minister position. A short time later I found out that I had been accepted into St. Andrew’s College DLM program and that I had been appointed to St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge as the Student Minister. In September 2018 I began the three year Designated Lay Ministry program. I started my position as the part time student minister here in October.
Never did I expect a year ago, that today I would be here in St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge, in a paid accountable Ministry position, as the Student Minister. One year ago, my hopes and dreams, lay in front of me and I put them all in faith to God. This last year has been a whirlwind of doors opening as I knocked, God’s people telling me that they believe in me, that God has found favor in me. I am still in disbelief that through the miraculous wonders of God, a team of people found it a fit to leave me here in Estevan, to continue to let me grow here.
Having faith that God would put me where I needed to be, I was on a faith journey, patiently waiting for the answer. This has been a remarkable journey, trusting God to lead me where I would follow. When I found out that I had been placed here, at my home, again I cried. I was not flying solo, I had a team, my team, my friends, my family. To me this seems unreal, it was supposed to be nearly impossible to get a job in your home church. God has left seeds here for me and now I know there will be many more to pick up and plant, right here.
Through my prayers I am continually asking God to point me in the direction that is planned for me. Today I know through the nudges of the spirit that I am on the right path as doors keep opening when I knock. I know God wants me to be out there working with the church to bring the message of Jesus to those who need and want to hear it.
Hello! My name is Jeri-Lee Jones and I am the Student Minister here at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge. I have lived in Estevan for the last 10 years with my Common-law husband Mike, and together we have two children Maxwell and Elianna.
My participation within the United Church began before I can even remember. I was brought up within the United Church, however I strayed as a teenager and young adult. I found my way back once I had become a mother. I enjoy the community that is offered within the walls of the church here at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge that has become my home; as I have formed some amazing friendship here.
When I found my way back to the church a few years ago, I finally felt at peace with my soul which is something that I don’t recall ever having felt before. I quickly felt the urge to get involved with the leadership of the church, it spiraled from there with me pulling off Vacation Bible School within 6 weeks in the summer of 2015, to becoming the Sunday School Director, to become the Christian Education Director of the Leadership Committee, to signing up for the Licensed Lay Worship Leader program, to joining Twin Valleys Presbytery, to starting my discernment process by the winter of 2017. All of these things although it all happened relatively fast, it felt good to be doing positive volunteer work within the community, and to be growing spiritually.
My call to discipleship began when I was a teenager, however I did not except this call in my youth as I truly did not comprehend then ‘the call’ like I do today. My journey over the last few years of this whole process began while discerning enrolling in the LLWL program, and has continued to be emotional and soul searching process. Through my recent LLWL program I have found myself continually becoming more excited about theology as well as my understanding of the process I have been guided into and I have felt that this was truly something that I was meant for.
In the spring of 2018 I meet with the Saskatchewan UCCan Interview Committee. This committee approved me to start my formal training as a Designated Lay Minister, and to find a part time minister position. A short time later I found out that I had been accepted into St. Andrew’s College DLM program and that I had been appointed to St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge as the Student Minister. In September 2018 I began the three year Designated Lay Ministry program. I started my position as the part time student minister here in October.
Never did I expect a year ago, that today I would be here in St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge, in a paid accountable Ministry position, as the Student Minister. One year ago, my hopes and dreams, lay in front of me and I put them all in faith to God. This last year has been a whirlwind of doors opening as I knocked, God’s people telling me that they believe in me, that God has found favor in me. I am still in disbelief that through the miraculous wonders of God, a team of people found it a fit to leave me here in Estevan, to continue to let me grow here.
Having faith that God would put me where I needed to be, I was on a faith journey, patiently waiting for the answer. This has been a remarkable journey, trusting God to lead me where I would follow. When I found out that I had been placed here, at my home, again I cried. I was not flying solo, I had a team, my team, my friends, my family. To me this seems unreal, it was supposed to be nearly impossible to get a job in your home church. God has left seeds here for me and now I know there will be many more to pick up and plant, right here.
Through my prayers I am continually asking God to point me in the direction that is planned for me. Today I know through the nudges of the spirit that I am on the right path as doors keep opening when I knock. I know God wants me to be out there working with the church to bring the message of Jesus to those who need and want to hear it.