Deacon Julie Hudson

Before being accepted to train as a deacon in the Methodist Church I worked as a receptionist/secretary in an engineering firm. I trained at the Queen's Foundation for three years, completing my BA. Ordained in 2007 I have served in the areas of Retford, Norwich, St Helens and Prescot.

I have served in market towns and larger post-industrial areas in a variety of appointments that have included children’s and families work, helping churches to find their missional focus, schools chaplaincy and detached outreach work as well as being a Street Pastor and running a Foodbank. Wherever I have worked I have always sought to work ecumenically where possible.

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Applied Theology, University of Birmingham

MA (Merit) in Mission (Pioneer Mission in the 21^st Century), Manchester University

Roles and responsibilities

As tutor for Diaconal Formation I have a role in mentoring our student deacons in what it means to be a member of a religious order as well as ministers in the church. This includes teaching the specific diaconal sessions with my colleague Mel Beaven. I am also involved in the Diaconal Stationing Committee helping students to complete their profiles, representing them at the matching committee and notifying them of the matches that have been made. I am a personal Tutor for both diaconal and presbyteral students.

As both Safeguarding Officer and Wellbeing Officer I have an administrative role in ensuring policies, checks and paperwork are up to date as well as helping the foundation identify risks and dealing with incidents as they arise. Being Wellbeing Officer also involves being available for supporting students and staff in a variety of ways.

External roles and responsibilities

As a deacon, I am a member of the Methodist Diaconal Order, a religious order of the Methodist Church. As part of this I have served on the Religious Order Advisory Committee, District Probationer Committees (both in my own district as well as other districts nationally to represent the wider MDO), been a Wise Senior for probationers and accompanist for Students as well as being the Area Group Secretary of two district groups.

For the wider church I have served on the Candidates Selection Committee and panels to discern with ministers of another church or connexion whether their calling is in the Methodist Church of Great Britain.