Writing
Sometimes, I wander over to other places to write as well. Here are some of my favourite links…
DFID - https://dfid.blog.gov.uk/2014/08/01/youthforchange-if-you-care-you-commit/
Threads - https://www.threadsuk.com/writtenby/nell-goddard
More Precious - http://www.moreprecious.co.uk/blog/2016/07/13/lamentations
Thorns and Gold - http://tanyamarlow.com/when-christians-cause-the-suffering-nell-goddard/
If you’re not satisfied with mere blogs, however, you’re in luck. My first book, Musings of a Clergy Child: Growing into a faith of my own was published by BRF in June 2017. It’s made up of both re-worked classic blog posts and brand new material, and you can get yourself a copy here: https://www.brfonline.org.uk/9780857465467/
Here’s a taster…
Vicarage life can be exciting, hilarious, scary, surreal and delightful... and that's just one day! Nell Goddard writes honestly and openly about the ins and outs of growing up in a Christian home, from her experience as the daughter of two vicars. With hilarious anecdotes, tough lessons and spiritual reflections from wrestling with faith, this book charts what it's like to live in the goldfish bowl of a vicarage, grow up in the shadow of your parents, lose your faith and find it again. With both rewritten blog posts and brand new material, this collection of tips, letters and musings will appeal not just to clergy children and their parents, but also to teenagers growing up in Christian homes, and to those who want to know what it's like to live a life of ministry you never really asked for.
And, just in case you need more convincing, here’s what some other people have said about it…
Nell Goddard’s first book has it all – biography, poetry, theology, therapy, philosophy. It will have you laughing, crying, wincing and sighing aloud. It’s wonderful. Her book, so filled with grace, will do good to your soul
SIMON PONSONBY, PASTOR OF THEOLOGY, ST ALDATES CHURCH OXFORD
I love this book: it’s like a box of sweets that you can dip into for wisdom, encouragement—and lots of belly laughs. Essential reading for clergy kids, families— and everyone who wants to support them.
EMMA SCRIVENER, BLOGGER AND AUTHOR OF A NEW NAME (IVP, 2012)
Nell Goddard’s first book is just like Nell Goddard herself: funny, caring and wise. She faces up to the challenges of family life in ministry honestly but without bitterness, which makes the book moving, and she shares its hopes and joys, which means that it is deeply inspiring.
SEAN DOHERTY, TUTOR, ST MELLITUS COLLEGE
Nell Goddard takes the lid off vicarage life and reveals the life of a clergy child to be anything but a sheltered one. With tenderness and insight she describes the rich and rare mix of holy, human experience which shaped her growing up. Her faith journey so far has been remarkable, painful, joyful, very much her own and shot through with instances of how God and life, in her words, ‘intersect in the most beautiful of ways.
ROSEMARY LAIN-PRIESTLEY, ARCHDEACON FOR THE TWO CITIES
