Louise grew up in Lichfield, a city whose cathedral shaped her imagination long before she understood why. As a pupil at The Friary School, she would visit the cathedral every year to dedicate her studies to God. Those visits planted the first quiet sense of calling within her. There was something that drew her into the heart of the cathedral and the altar, but at that time, women were not being ordained, so she dismissed the idea and carried on with her life. For many years, she set aside the thought of ordained ministry, believing it was not a path open to her.
Before ministry training, Louise worked as a dog groomer, building a small business rooted in care, patience and trust. When she finally responded to the long-held call to ordained ministry, she entered training at Queen's Foundation. Because she had been out of the classroom for a long time, she chose the full-time contextual pathway. Louise found that learning in the classroom while serving in a local church struck the right balance, as she is a mature, neurodivergent student. She often jokes that she has gone from dog coats to a dog collar, saying that this is a reminder that God shapes our vocations in unexpected ways, using all that we are. Louise says her journey has been marked by persistence, grace, and a deep desire to serve. For Louise, each step she has taken from Lichfield Cathedral to dog grooming to theological training has helped her become who Christ calls her to be, a person who listens carefully to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who loves God deeply and seeks to serve in God’s kingdom with love, humility and hope.
Louise believes that God is calling her to serve with love and compassion and to be a prophetic voice. She is passionate about the Church being all-inclusive, a place where all can truly flourish and reach our full potential, as Christ calls us to be. Louise sees her ministry as drawing all people to discover that they are seen, loved, and held by God.
Louise says that many people assume ministry training is purely academic, when in reality it is more about formation, personal growth in the understanding of who you are and being called to be.
“I’d encourage people to pay attention to the quiet nudges and to trust the slow work of God. Continue to pray and invite others to pray with and for you, while exploring who Christ is calling you to be, and finally, speak to people who can help them discern the shape of their calling.”