In late 2020, after experiencing breast cancer, I sensed God urgently calling me out of my long-standing career in public health and into a radically new life fully oriented toward His plans. While I didn’t know what this really meant or what it would look like, I did know with real clarity that if I didn’t listen, I was in danger of losing my own soul! So, I left my government role and began to create more space in my life for God to move. Increasingly I listened to God and connected with community and church - volunteering in a local rest home, supporting Te Hāhi ministry in Upper Hutt, and supporting LaddersUp, a hope filled personal development programme for women. 

In late 2022 I fully gave up my public health career despite many temptations to continue, and told God that I trusted Him to lead me wherever he wanted. From that moment the road ahead opened up and the ordination word also began to pop up from various quarters – rather uncomfortably. I started studying theology and clinical pastoral education primarily from a desire to ‘do no harm’ and soon I also began taking church services at a local rest home.  As I led my first communion service, I had a deep sense of peace and joy and knew with certainty that I was exactly where God wanted me.  It was an experience like no other – serving in community and extending God’s loving welcome to all people - particularly those who feel far away from God’s love. Somehow, being a priest in and for community is what I feel called to. I am blessed to be part of the supportive and challenging worshipping community at St Mary’s Silverstream and now am extending God’s welcome to the tāne and wāhine of Rimutaka and Arohata prisons in my role as a Prison Chaplain.  

The Ordination Service for Helen Topham will be on Saturday 23 November at 2 pm at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.