The new curate at the Martlesham with Brightwell Benefice has just completed his first six weeks in the role – and says it’s ‘the greatest job in the world’.
The Revd Rob Allinson, who was ordained on June 29, is settling into his new role in the clergy, having previously worked as an insurance broker.
The Benefice represents three churches in the area - St Michael and All Angels in Martlesham Heath, St Mary the Virgin in Martlesham and St John the Baptist in Brightwell.
Rob, a father-of-three, said he was loving his new role and the opportunities it brings to talk about Jesus and to make a difference in the community.
"One of the big lessons I have learned in my first few weeks is getting used to being ready to be approached - to be available” he said. "It’s a useful part of the job, wearing the dog collar, as many people know instantly what it represents. Although, on the odd occasion I’ve worn it to the supermarket it, you can’t help but feel yourself being looked at a lot more. Many people will want to come and talk to you, often about nothing specific but sometimes about some pretty deep stuff. Sometimes it’s chit-chat, other times it will be about things they are really struggling with.”
An avid football fan, and lifelong Liverpool supporter, Rob plays seven-a-side football every week and enjoys playing video games, board games and listening to sermons in his spare time.
He said it had been a whirlwind leading up to his ordination, which took place at The Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.
“As you lead up to your ordination there’s a lot of excitement from family, friends and the congregations,” he said. “It’s like your wedding day – with everyone looking at you. And when you go to church the first time after ordination the welcome you receive is incredible. The church I’m in has not had a curate for a while, so they seem very happy I’m here. But you need to stay humble – this is not about you. I believe God has called me here, so I cannot boast in my ordination. We are here to serve the community, but, ultimately, to talk about Jesus.”
Rob will be mainly based at St Michael and All Angels, a relatively modern church which sits next to the village green and pavilion in Martlesham Heath.
It offers a host of activities and community services, including an after-school youth group on Tuesday evenings and a monthly breakfast church event, as well as twice-monthly Wednesday communions and live-streamed Sunday communion.
The church also hosts the popular ‘Runway Café’, which opens from 9am-12pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
Rob said being a curate was the ‘greatest job in the world’.
“To be living it is brilliant,” he said, “I have to remind myself every day to be grateful to God for calling me do it. It’s the greatest job in the world. It’s superb, you are there, representing God during people’s highest moments of joy but also at their lowest. Part of my training was at Ipswich Hospital where I visited people who were very unwell and some as the end of their life approaches. I also talked with scared and worried families. It is something I will never forget. There’s a mix of emotions doing that role – it doesn’t mean you can’t be emotional, but you have to remember you are there to do a job, to be there and offer pastoral support for all of them. But even in these difficult situations, it is such an incredible privilege to be able to talk about the hope we have in Jesus.”