Lessons on Love and Family from Mill Grove for an Ordinand and Theological Educator

Abstract An integral part of theological education for ministry is placement experience. How that learning impacts current and future practice varies widely. In this article I explore a placement undertaken as part of ordination training at Mill Grove, a witnessing ecclesial community which has been a home for over 1,000 children over the past 113 years. I discuss a range of issues relating to placement learning. In exploring the context and then using a version of the pastoral cycle I identify a range of insights and implications for my future practice both as a theological educator and a priest particularly focused around the theme of love.