My name is Rob Coupland and I have been the Pastoral Assistant here at St Matthew’s since October 2011. Fitting in with what seems to becoming a new tradition for St Matthew’s… I am a Northerner! I was born and raised in North Yorkshire; living in a lovely rural village named Sowerby.
Since leaving school I’ve studied various aspects of the umbrella term ‘Childcare and Development’ and have worked in three different childcare settings, spread across three years – for a nursery school, a home-based childminding business and for the Sure Start Children’s Centres of Thirsk and Sowerby.
“So, why are you working for St Matthew’s?” You may be asking…
In the later years of my adolescence I came to faith and have since been exploring and discerning God’s calling on my life. This exploration and spiritual attentiveness has resulted in an awareness of an ever-deepening sense of call to the ordained ministry of the Priesthood. God has taken me on an astonishingly exciting expedition into his will for me and has given me so many wonderfully exciting and awe-inspiring opportunities - such as this placement! I’ve had tea with Bishops, lunch with Archbishops and prayed with foreign Primates (bishops… not apes!)
Rob Coupland
As you hopefully can tell; I am experiencing a very exhilarating period of my life! Living in the heart of Westminster I can gain so much insight, understanding of and connections within the Church of England and its varied ministry. It’s not a bad thing having Westminster Abbey for my front garden either!
This placement is not only beneficial for my spiritual discernment and development, but, also my personal one; as I have never lived away from home before! London offers some of the finest and wackiest life experiences! I’ve been very daring trying Sushi for the first time!
I am very excited to see what the rest of the year has to offer and to what God brings to me. I look forward to becoming more immersed into the life and work of St Matthew’s Westminster and hope to see you there!
