What’s in a name? Can I really be a priest, a vicar and now a DAWM? The answer of course is yes, and I am not alone. I am one of five DAWMs, otherwise known as a Diocesan Adviser in Women’s Ministry. Our team is headed up by Bishop Anna Eltringham and we were commissioned at Bradford Cathedral in May last year at a service that celebrated the 30th anniversary of women priests. A proud day!
And now, as we barge into 2025, it’s about the year ahead – what’s coming and what can we all do to spread the Good News.
Our clergy and lay leaders will all have their own plans to meet the needs of their parishes and while women have been in ministry for three decades, there is a dedicated support network to help them make progress. The National Association of Diocesan Advisers in Women’s Ministry NADAWM is made up of advisers from almost every diocese. Each of our five Episcopal Areas is represented by a DAWM (like me) and Revd Catherine Shelley (DAWM for Huddersfield EA) also serves as secretary on the association’s executive committee.
As well as our “day jobs” as ordained women, we understand the needs and challenges that ministry brings and we are committed to help, support and represent women from all backgrounds and contexts. We are passionate about helping them continue to take out the message of Jesus Christ, which is what brought us all into ministry…regardless of our title.
In our diocese, a new Women in Ministry web page for 2025 will host information, resources and contact points as a “one-stop-shop” for those seeking support. Few other dioceses offer such a resource and it is born of our shared goal of encouraging confident Christians by aiding everyone engaged in that work, according to their needs.
That’s surely a New Year’s resolution we can all agree on! May I wish everyone the very best for the coming 12 months and in our worship and our ministry. There is so much we can achieve when we all strive, and rejoice together.
The new page can be found here.