1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Heather Scott.
I am 66 years old, married for 38 years to Richard and I have 3 daughters, Jess, Grace and Abbie and now 5 grandchildren.
I qualified as a doctor in 1983 and worked for 41 years.
The last 27 years were as a GP in Cliftonville covering quite a deprived part of Margate. I poured myself into my family and into my work. I was very involved in the local community and served as a GP Partner with special interest in Substance Misuse, Mental Health Care and Care for the elderly frail. I had also worked abroad for > 6 years as a medical missionary.
I retired 18 months ago and felt God was calling me away from rushing around serving in my own strength to be much more aware of His heart for all those I had been so very concerned and exercised about helping. It was revelatory and an enormous weight of “responsibility” was lifted from my shoulders. I was deeply involved with my local church throughout all my working life and began to see that God was calling me away from medicine in my retirement to be involved in healing in HIS way.
2. What first drew you to study at St Mellitus College?
I set off on a long solo Pilgrimage from Iona (west coast of Mull) to Lindisfarne (Holy Island off east coast of Northumberland) 300 miles over 20 days. I simply walked and listened and processed and prayed, all on my own. The time to contemplate was really precious and rare for me. I wild camped a bit too and slept out under the stars!
I felt that possible ordination was the next step, and God opened a series of doors in my life really quite fast and it became clear that studying at St Mellitus was the next step, with supported discernment.
3.Can you share a moment or experience that was particularly meaningful or transformative for you?
I have had to humbly consider whether I am simply extending my medical tendency to want to “make people better” and really be a gentle pastoral guide towards the ultimate Healer and Restorer God Himself. This has been formative and profound for me personally.
4. Theology at St Mellitus is academically demanding. Can you share a moment when you were stretched intellectually—and how that challenge shaped you?
Honestly, I have not found the studies too overwhelming compared with the flat out and exhausting challenges of medicine and then General Practice, but the support and challenge of the discernment process has been very helpful to look honestly and critically at my possible “calling” and to be “grilled” in the best possible sense to consider and explain my reasons for considering ordination.
From an academic point of view, the Biblical studies in the first year have been particularly interesting and I have delighted in listening to some truly excellent lecturers. The assignments we have been called upon to do have been directed towards helping us with the various assessments we have faced. The most challenging of which was the two-day residential Stage 2. My advice facing this would be remember that it is to help us to discern our calling and quite simply answer honestly as yourself and trust that God has you and your future in His plans however this works out. Saying goodbye to some friends at this point has been poignant and sad but we trust that God is leading them in His plan for them still.
5. Can you tell us about the formation side of studying at St Mellitus College?
The formation groups and colleagues have been so lovely. I really really like all the other folk on the Elizabeth Pathway from all sorts of back grounds, many still working, and it has been inspirational and helpful to discuss and debate with all of them. Obviously, we hold varying views on issues and to listen sensitively and openly to everyone has been, and is, very formative. True friendship and support have also been built up over the first year.
6. Why does theological study matter beyond the walls of a college or church, and how has your time here shaped the way you engage with the world?
Theological study outside of the church is crucial to be able to interact with the wider world and many of the concepts and teaching we have been given really find their fruition when put into action and tested out in real life. Perhaps like passing a driving test and then really learning to drive well with experience over the years!
7. What tips or advice would you give to someone thinking of studying theology or joining St Mellitus College?
I would advise anyone considering this path to take time very intentionally to pray it through quietly and personally with God either by walking, like me!, or perhaps a retreat.
Ask those who know you, both in church and out, for their thoughts too. Listen to everyone even the critical! Then maybe go to some open days to see which college seems to resonate best with you, prayerfully entering each option with a truly open mind. There are very different “flavours” of learning out there.
8. In three words, describe your time at St Mellitus College. Why those words?
- Jesus centred. Really good prayer and worship times at the beginning and end of each day.
- Thought provoking. Good lecturers and Forge sessions that expand on ideas and studies.
- Friendly. Wonderful friendships and supportive tutoring.
