My name is Jane Carter, the new non-stipendiary member of the Provincial Board. I am currently minister at East Tytherton and Swindon Moravian Churches in the Western District and for the past 18 months I have served on the British Mission Board, more recently as the Chair.

I was born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire and apart from attending a Church of England primary school I had very little religious attachment. When I left secretarial college in 1979 my family moved to Daventry in Northamptonshire and there I began my association with the Moravian Church when I started attending Priors Marston Moravian Church in Warwickshire.

I became an active member of church committee and minute secretary for the Eastern District Conference. When I became a local Circle Leader for the Moravian Women's Association some very persuasive sisters suggested I might make a good secretary on the MWA Executive which eventually (after more persuasion) led me to become President. My work with women was extended when I served on the steering committee for the Women's Consultation, and I am currently on the steering committee for the European Women's Conference. These long associations mean I have many friends all over the Province and indeed the Unity which is a great blessing.

When Priors Marston Church closed I became a member at Ockbrook. It was during these years that I began to feel a much stronger sense that God was calling me to a life of some kind of service. It took a few years and many encouraging conversations for me to discern that ordained ministry might be the shape of that call. At the time I had been working for the same roofing company for 23 years in various roles (administration not labouring!), but I happily walked away knowing that my life was in God's hands. I started my training in 2010 and moved to Manchester.

After successfully graduating from Northern College my first call was to the churches in Royton and Salem and I was ordained in 2016. Moving to Lower Wyke and Wellhouse I was subsequently consecrated in 2019. My most recent call was last year taking me back to my southern roots but this time in Wiltshire. I love my congregations and live happily in East Tytherton with my cat Bernie, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of village life.

My call to serve on the British Mission Board has given me more opportunities for travel within the Unity which I love. I have recently been to India, Nepal, Tanzania and America and am looking forward to Unity Synod in South Africa. In my spare time (ha!) I have a love for all kinds of needle crafts including sewing, knitting and crochet. I rekindled my love of dressmaking when I realised how limited female clergy wear was and so started making my own. I now have an extensive mix of styles (and a considerable fabric and yarn stash!).

My nomination and subsequent election to the Provincial Board was another time of discernment and persuasion. It often takes the observations of others to help us realise the gifts and talents that we may possess. I am grateful to those who persisted and indeed to those who had the confidence in me to vote for me at the recent Synod. Serving on the PEC for the next year is a challenge I am looking forward to embracing.

So, that is my story so far: as the next chapter unfolds I would ask for your continued encouragement and prayers, not just for me but for the whole Province as we move forward in faith and unity.

Sr Jane Carter
Provincial Board