Join the Everyday Faith conversation in Bidston

Ian Gould-Jones, St Oswald’s, Bidston, Birkenhead Deanery.

Ian is Head of Scheduling for the University of Law, which has campuses across the country and oversees. He is open about being a Christian, “I have a big team in India and its very multi-faith, in that particular city Hyderabad, there's a section of Christians, Hindus, and Muslims and so spirituality in that country is more like a given. So, your spiritual life and who you are is more to the fore. And so in a strange way, I have been more able to be more of a spiritual person in that context because they understand more. As a manager I still have to make some hard decisions, and I'd like to think that people know that they weren’t done out of malice. When we've had to shrink the team or complete different organisational changes, I've always felt I could do that with a clear conscience because there's been a reason why I was needed to do that. So, I think maybe in that context, I'm allowed to be more of a Christian than when you are making decisions at a secular university in the UK. Having said that we have a prayer society in the UK university and we meet once a week. It's full of other lectures and we have great conversations. We pray for 30 minutes together on a Teams meeting. We also did a Christmas concert so people in the university know I’m a Christian and some have commented about me being a man of faith. Ian was brought up in Bidston and is still committed to serving this community and the surrounding areas.

Suzie Williams, St Mary’s Liscard, Wallasey Deanery. Royal Navy Officer, social worker and musician.

In retirement, Suzie moved to Mariners Park in Liscard, a community for all seafarers. “I try to be a good neighbour. I live in a community were there are some elderly and lonely people who just need a hand from time to time. I love being the one that can be there and do that for them. They are all gorgeous with such stories to tell. I just find myself warming to all of that.” Suzie’s intent is to be obvious about why she does things, being plain about her Christian faith. “At the moment I’m dressed in shorts and t-shirt and fly around the estate but on a Sunday, I dress up for church and they all say, wow where are you off to? They know really but it gives me chance to say, I’m going to church. Do you want to come?” When Suzie was working in a care home, she had an opportunity to share how her faith influences her. “My faith has enabled me to have love for people, even people who are quite difficult to love. There’s also the deep, deep certainty that at one point you will be with Jesus in a better place. I had a tumour on my ovaries, and I had to have it removed by a radical hysterectomy, there was a possibility that it might be cancer and that it had spread all over my body. The night before I was on watch, I was working in a care home, and the girls were all crying and I’d said, stop crying and I said if I die I'm going to be with Jesus and that'll be lovely and if not I will be back working with you soon. They asked how I could be so cool and I said it’s because I deeply believe that heaven is a reality, and I know that’s where I’m going. I know I'm not perfect, you know I'm not perfect but I'm as good as I can be and Jesus will welcome me into heaven.”

Sarah Bishton, Church Administrator, Christ Church, Moreton, Wallasey Deanery.

Sarah came to faith after her daughter expressed an interest about knowing more about Jesus. “Lucy was coming home asking me questions about Jesus and God and religion and faith and I didn't have any answers for her because at that point I’d never had any faith. My dad was an atheist, my family aren't very religious. I've always tried to give Lucy the answers that she wanted but religion is not really something you can Google! She went on and on for a few weeks until it was relentless and one Sunday morning she'd asked me again and I just thought it's Sunday morning there'll be a church service on and they’ll be someone there she can ask. So we just turned up and I marched her down the aisle in a mini temper of frustration because I didn’t now the answers to her questions. I didn't have any preconceived ideas, I was just trying to be a good mum and to get her the answers. I told Jane who welcomed us that I don't really buy into all this but I want to get some answers for Lucy and they were lovely, really welcoming. Lucy loved it so we went back time and again and slowly as I sat there and listened to every sermon and every verse in the Bible, I had a realisation that this is what was missing in my life. Life made sense for the first time.”  From that time on Sarah didn’t really leave! She is now the church administrator, serves on the PCC and is a valued member of the church family at Moreton.

Ian Fair, Holy Trinity Church, Spital, Wirral North.

Ian is a professional musician based on the Wirral. He is primarily a viola player in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra but is sometimes seen elsewhere playing the violin and electric bass! In addition to performing, Ian also teaches violin and viola and occasionally works as a sound engineer and producer. Ian’s faith was rekindled after being asked to join a church choir as a student. Within a month he was playing the piano after the organist left and shortly after that the organ. The vicar at that church was hugely influential to Ian in how he lived day to day. “He modelled faithful behaviours like walking the streets and delivering 50 plus weekly sheets which was a struggle with his MS. Seeing people who are willing to put others first, put what they think is important, hearing about Jesus, before their own material comforts was admirable to see. The spirit brought people in and he kept the church serving the people in a difficult area with a lot of challenges and problems by rolling up his sleeves and doing God’s work.” He reflected further on how people have opportunities to observe how he lives out his everyday faith whilst he is at work. “Playing in an orchestra means that you have lots of time with people during the rehearsals. I lift share with other musicians who live close to me. The interesting thing about being in the car is that you have a captive audience but one that you don’t have to make eye contact with. I find this really useful if you need to have a deep conversation! On a concert day we actually have two hours before a concert starts after our rehearsal time. So we will go for a meal as a group, I’m always myself and so openly talk about my faith if asked and don’t join in with gossip and things like that, those clear practical ways of living out your faith can be observed by others.”

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