From Chinese State Circus to Reverend!
THE new curate for Macclesfield’s rural areas will be able to throw herself into the role – she is a former member of the Chinese State Circus.
Reverend Steph Morris, 47, will serve the parishes of Sutton, Bosley, Wincle and Wildboarclough after she was ordained last month.
In her previous role she travelled the country and - although not a performer - has picked up some unusual skills such as making candyfloss and speaking a few words of Chinese.
But she left her circus job to help look after an ill family member and then decided to follow her faith having been religious since childhood.
Steph said: “I studied performing arts and when you have just come out of drama college the chance to go with an internationally renowned circus is amazing. It
wasn’t a glamorous role I was selling tickets, candyfloss and popcorn but it was incredible travelling round the country - I met interesting people and learned new skills.
“I was quite shy at that point in my life and going to the circus brought out my personality.”
Having attended church regularly with her mum since she was a youngster, Steph embarked on the path to become a curate in 2012.
She found herself taking on greater responsibilities in church, until one day she couldn’t ignore the call to the priesthood any longer.
Steph, who lives in Congleton with her husband and two daughters, then completed a three year diploma in mission and ministry with Durham University.
Her background of growing up in Cheshire and an attraction to a more rural parish meant Sutton, Bosley, Wincle and Wildboarclough was a natural choice for her first position.
She said: “I am slowly learning my way round and getting to know people. I want to work with schools and rural schools tend to be church schools – that appealed to me.
“I am really looking forward to it, we are designing a website and starting up a Facebook group. I am very excited.”