5 minutes with Celia ...

- What's your favourite bible passage & why?

Eph 2:10 has been a passage that continues to remind me that in Jesus I am a new being with a new identity and a new way of life. I love the way Paul describes us as “God’s workmanship”. It reminds me that in frailty I am still a masterpiece created by the master of all created works.

- How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

When I was a little girl it was common practice that we were taught memory verses in Sunday school and singing Christian songs. As an adult I still find myself coming back to these verses of scripture and music as great reminders of the truth of who Jesus is. Quite often I will be singing inwardly “Jesus loves me this I know” or “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”.

- What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

One thing I have benefited from is that God has plans for us and they are good. Often I find women want to know - and struggle to know –the ”best” way to serve God. To be content we need to believe that there is not a “best”, but lots of good ways to serve him.

- What's one thing that you love about your local church?

It is messy! Our congregation is made up of people who are suffering from addictions to those who are tertiary educated, from socially awkward to pastorally strong. Even though this makes Sundays more difficult when we are gathered, it reminds me that God calls everyone to know him – not just those like me!

- What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?

My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease simulataneously from the time I was 14. For many years during my growing up she was present in body but absent in cognition and as a mother. When she died almost 12 years later I was confronted by many questions about the reality of heaven and why God had let her suffer so much (and our family in the process). At a point where I thought I was ready to throw in Christianity I remember thinking that if God was who he said he was, then I had to take his sovereignty seriously – even if I couldn’t understand why certain things took place.

- What are you passionate about?

I despair to see the inequality of resources that are spread throughout the church globally. Even though there are many needs everywhere, it is clear that there are less reached people and less resourced churches that we as a Christian community need to care for as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

- What do you enjoy doing when you rest? I am a musician and so apart from playing (bass guitar and piano), I love listening to music, and singing. and using these abilities to relax and serve at my local church.