For Carrie and Yvonne, the Directions course was never simply about finding the next step in their faith. It became the beginning of a shared journey, new friendships and a renewed sense of what church could look like in their community.
Both women have deep roots at All Saints. Carrie, 53, was baptised at the church and grew up attending All Saints and its sister church, St Philip’s. After stepping away from church for a time, she returned a few years ago after taking on the care of a chapel and cemetery, and soon became involved in Sunday school and other activities.
It was through her church that she first heard about Directions.
“I really enjoyed it,” Carrie says. “I’m on a big learning journey and I’m loving it. The Directions course really opened that up to everything.”
For Yvonne, 73, All Saints has been part of her life from the beginning. She was baptised there as a baby, confirmed there and later served as a reader for around 20 years.
But her faith has always been a journey.
“I knew at that point I was still searching and wanted to know more,” she says, remembering her confirmation as a young teenager. “I love learning. I love finding out about things and every day is a school day, because there’s always something you can learn.”
After stepping away from reader ministry, Yvonne found herself wondering where her place in church might be next. Directions appealed because it offered an opportunity to explore new possibilities rather than simply returning to something she had done before.
“I want to look at new ventures and new challenges,” she says. “That was why the Directions course appealed to me.”
“We Found Something Together”
Neither Carrie nor Yvonne knew exactly what to expect from the course. Like many people starting something new, there was some apprehension.
But as the sessions went on, the group discovered that one of the most valuable parts of Directions was hearing other people’s stories.
“We had a lovely little group and everybody stayed together,” Carrie says. “We still have a WhatsApp group.”
The course gave them space to reflect on their own faith journeys while listening to the experiences and perspectives of others.
One exercise asked participants to think about what kind of tree represented their journey. Carrie chose a sapling.
“I’m just growing, and I’m on a long path,” she says. “I don’t really know where I’m going, but I’m finding it all light. The more I find and the more I listen, it’s special.”
For Yvonne, the opportunity to hear different perspectives was equally important.
“It was good to listen to other people’s backstories and to share experiences and listen to where they are on their faith journey,” she says. “That’s what I found fascinating.”
“It Started as Just a Course…”
Perhaps the most unexpected part of the journey has been what happened after the course ended.
The women began a Tuesday evening women’s support group at All Saints, which has continued to grow. They have also expanded their Sunday school provision, including supporting single parents and their children.
“We’ve been pushed to the community side of church, which is what’s needed,” Yvonne says.
For Yvonne, seeing Carrie and others bring fresh ideas into church has been part of that change.
“Carrie has been like a breath of fresh air coming into the church,” she says. “Some of us of my age have had our best times that have gone. Carrie has come with all these new, fresh ideas and different ways of thinking.”
The journey is not stopping there. Having discovered another course, SHAPE, through their time on Directions, the group is now looking at running it at All Saints so they can continue exploring where their faith and gifts might lead them.
And they are already thinking about coming back to Directions.
Carrie says she would consider doing the course again in 12 months to see how much her journey has changed. The others feel the same.
“It would be interesting to come back and redo it 12 months after and have a look at how much your journey has changed,” she says.
For anyone considering taking the first step themselves, their advice is simple.
“Go for it. Go do it.”
“You learn so much,” Yvonne adds. “And being open to other people’s opinions and viewpoints and faith journeys, there are some very interesting stories.”
Sometimes, a journey of faith does not begin with knowing exactly where you are going. Sometimes it begins by being willing to take the next step, and seeing who you meet along the way.
“Now… Where Can I Sign Up?”
The next Directions Course begins at St Andrew’s Church, St Helens, on 8 October, with six sessions running until 19 November. Sessions are 7pm–9.30pm, with refreshments from 6.30pm, and the course concludes with a Celebration service on 3 December. If you’re wondering what God might be calling you to next, or want to explore your gifts and faith alongside others, find out more and book your place via Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/directions-course-autumn-2026-tickets-1984775554111
