A more personal ministry by Mark Nam

A more personal ministry by Mark Nam

My father died in hospital during lockdown and his funeral was held three days before I was ordained at Bristol Cathedral. We had not seen each other for several months because of Covid-19. Grief has marked my transition into ordained ministry and his absence at my ordination was deeply felt on what ought to have been a joyful occasion. It is this culmination of sadness and joy, death and life that impresses on me the privilege of becoming a priest. As the late Michael Ramsey (Archbishop of Canterbury 1961-1974) observed, ‘No one will be nearer to the darkness and to the light than the Christian Priest today.’

The first sermon I preached following my ordination was from Joshua 1, where God encourages Joshua shortly after losing his own father figure, Moses. Before his death, God took Moses up Mount Nebo to view the land his children would inhabit, but he himself would not enter. Whilst my father never made it to my ordination, I believe the Lord showed him where his only son was headed, to serve in the Church of England, an invitation my father declined 25 years ago over concerns that the colour of his skin would count against him.

Honouring the memory of my father has helped me work through my grief. This has since prompted the creation of The Teahouse (www.theteahouse.org) which supports ministers of Chinese heritage and recognises the positive contribution they make to the life of the church.

More about The Teahouse 
The 12 Chinese-heritage clergy whose photos are displayed on the website met in person on 16 August 2021. We celebrated Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral, followed by a walk to China Town to Dim-Sum and ‘drink tea’.

I honestly believe that this is a significant moment in the life of the church. It is the first time that Chinese-heritage clergy have come together like this in the UK, and given the influx of 300,000 people from Hong Kong to British shores in the next three years, it is timely.

AUTHOR Revd Mark Nam 甄英深 is curate at St Anne’s Church in Oldland and United Church in Longwell Green, Bristol and also champion for the Diocese of Bristol’s Minority Ethnic Vocations.

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