Vicar-in-training Nic Long joined us as part of his social placement earlier this summer. We asked Nic some questions about his time with us at Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve:
First of all, tell us a bit about yourself, what you’re doing and your life before theological college.
I’m a first-year ordinand (trainee vicar) at Ridley College, an Anglican theological college in Cambridge. I started there in September 2023. Before that, I worked as a software developer.
What were the highlights of your time spent at Foxearth Meadows?
Seeing a Kingfisher on the final day – its bright colours and poise as it dived repeatedly for fish. Also, meeting so many inspiring and wonderful people. I am especially grateful to Andy and his family for their hospitality during the week. And finally, the damselflies and dragonflies that I saw whilst being shown around the reserve by Sarah, on one of the few sunnier days in an otherwise very rainy week!
What prompted you to choose the placement at Foxearth Meadows?
Ridley has had a connection with A Rocha UK and Foxearth Meadows for several years. When I chose it for a placement I had very little knowledge of A Rocha but was attracted by the opportunity to work outside and to develop my appreciation of nature and how creation is connected to discipleship and mission.
What did you find yourself involved with during the placement?
So many things! Helping on the reserve with school visits and for the National Meadows’ Day event; bird ringing, meeting volunteers and others connected to Foxearth Meadows, and joining a sponsored walk in Sudbury with a local charity.
Has the placement changed or expanded your perspectives in any way?
In particular, my time at Foxearth Meadows has caused me to reflect on Sabbath – specifically, the way that nature can draw us into Sabbath life. Through creation, we can learn a healthy humility – things continue without us, God’s creation is much wider than our activity. We can also experience more of God’s goodness as we wonder and delight at what he has made. Mystery is a word that captures both this humility and joy in creation and is, I think, a good word to embrace in our own faith journeys. Nature does not encourage simple answers, binaries, absolutes, or other forms of exclusive and dominating thinking. Creation is both shadow and light. God is bigger and better than we can imagine. Discipleship necessitates continual movement and growth.
What are your hopes and plans? Are there any things from the placement you’d like to carry over into the future?
My hopes are to continue at Ridley for another two years of further formation and study. Theological teaching is something I feel called to and Cambridge is a wonderful place to develop that gift. I will carry over so much from this placement, whether the theological readings and reflections I did in preparation and during the week, or the relationship with Foxearth Meadows, its people and the wider A Rocha family, which I hope will bear fruit in parish ministry through Eco Church or otherwise. I am so grateful for the experience and the hard work put in by Andy and Sarah to make it happen.
Here are some prayer pointers for those who pray.
We give thanks for:
- Several successful school visits including one school visiting for the first time.
- Our amazing volunteers who make our activities possible.
Please pray for:
- More volunteers to come forward
- Foxearth Meadows to inspire others to take action for wildlife.
