08.09.2026
A Very Strong Inward Nudge – The Revd Esther Simpson Reflects on Call to Ordination
In June 2026 two new Deacons were ordained to serve in Dublin and Glendalough. The Revd Cennis Chikezie is serving as Curate Assistant in the Parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla with the Revd Colin McConaghie. The Revd Esther Simpson is serving as Curate Assistant in Rathmichael Parish with the Revd Sean Hanily. Here, in the early days of her curacy, Revd Esther reflects on her call to ordination and her hopes for her new ministry. You can also read Revd Cennis’s story on our website.
Hello! I’m Esther Simpson. Mum of four, mum–in–law of two, Nana of one, and also ordained.
It is always a little intimidating when someone asks you to sum up how and why you chose something – especially when it feels more like the something chose you! And yet, here I am, newly licensed as Curate–Assistant in Rathmichael Parish, and getting used to not only a new rhythm to ‘work’ patterns, but also navigating a new domain.
I grew up in London as part of a committed church–going family so have known of and loved Jesus all my life. At 18 I moved to Belfast to study with no intention of staying for too long but ended up staying for 35 years. It was in Belfast that I met my husband, raised my children and found vibrant church families in St Donard’s and Willowfield parishes.
Ten years ago, I felt a very strong inward nudge to apply to train as a Diocesan Reader which instigated my first journeys to Braemor Park and the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Shortly after commencing those studies, my husband very suddenly died, but after reflection and the wise input of many friends, I continued and was licensed as Lay Reader in 2019.
I was sure that was where my theological training would end. However, after about 40 different people over four weeks kept talking about ordination (with firm rebuttals every time), I really felt God ask the question, “What if it’s me who’s asking?” You can keep saying “No” to God but there came a point where I knew that is what I was doing. It took a further three years of discerning and wrestling, and a global pandemic, to find me beginning my MTh studies in 2022. A large part of that discernment was submitting to the process of diocesan and national selection boards, coming to agreement in community.
Being based in Belfast, all my placements were local and I had no expectations of moving particularly far afield come curacy. Over the course of the curacy process, with generous invitations from incumbents, including my now–training rector, it became increasingly clear that God might, yet again, be asking something more of me than I had imagined. So here I am, working through the administrative minefield of moving jurisdictions, excited to get to know Rathmichael and its people, and expectant to see what God has in store.
I am passionate about God’s Word, not only in understanding it but in allowing it to shape our lives, to become our daily bread. I also love working with children and young people as their honesty – perhaps especially about the hard things – confronts some of our easy answers. I’m not convinced that church is supposed to be ‘comfortable’.
I look forward to working with Sean and many others in this parish and community to see people reached with the never–ending love of God in Christ and to come to the realization that they are beloved by their Father and he waits to welcome them home.
The Revd Esther Simpson
Curate Assistant Rathmichael Parish