FOR the last eight months, cleric in training Naomi Starkey has made Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula her home.

A full-time ordained minister in the Church in Wales, Naomi works in the Bro Enlli Ministry area, which covers the south-west coast of the Llyn Peninsula and takes in six churches, including St. Hywyn, Aberdaron, St. Pedrog, Llanbedrog and St. Cian, Llangian.

Aberdaron is undoubtedly beautiful, but far from her previous home, near Llanidloes.

And becoming a full-time member of the ministry also seems far removed from her previous work in publishing, but the 50-year-old mother-of-three knew the time was right to make the move to Gwynedd, and to the church.

“I had a strong sense that it was time to move from publishing - a field I had worked in for 21 years - to full-time church work and there was a job in Aberdaron that I felt was right for me.

“The area of publishing I worked in was related in a way, as I had been editor of the BRF [Bible Reading Fellowship] for many years, but that’s not the same as leading services and getting out there meeting people.”

Naomi started working for the church as a part-time cleric in Machynlleth and the surrounding villages.

Then a cleric in training post came up in Gwynedd and Naomi made the move in June 2015.

Also in that month, Naomi was ordained as a priest in Bangor. She was previously ordained as a deacon in June 2014.

Naomi says it wasn’t her childhood dream to become a priest - indeed, it wasn’t possible for women to do so at the time - but there had always been a leaning towards the church, as she explained.

“According to my mother I used to line up my teddies and give church services to them like my father, who was a vicar.

“But I never thought of becoming a vicar myself. I didn’t think I could as a women because women couldn’t be ordained at the time. But my mother reminded me that I used to do this when I was about 5 years old, so I guess there’s always been something there.”

Naomi was raised on the Channel Islands and believes growing up there has helped her to fall in love with Aberdaron.

“My father was a vicar on the Channel Islands, on Jersey, and there are so many similarities to the Llyn,” Naomi said.

“It’s almost like being on an island here in Aberdaron and there is some bilingualism, as there is on Jersey. There is also a lot of farming, tourism and, of course, beautiful beaches.”

As a cleric in training, Naomi says she is happy to be learning more about the church, and about the Llyn, and would like to stay in the area if possible.

“It depends if work is available but I have been learning Welsh for six years and I lead services and preach in Welsh, so I would definitely like to be able to use the language in a future post.

“And Aberdaron is lovely, as is the Llyn. I love the beaches on the Llyn in particular, and the mountains.

“It feels such a privilege to live somewhere that people want to go to on their holidays.”

As well as working for the Bro Enlli Ministry and exploring the Llyn, Naomi has also just released her fourth book.

‘The Recovery of Hope’ contains a series of Bible passages, along with reflections on them and some poems written by Naomi. The theme of hope is explored throughout.

“Even if people are not fully paid up members of the church, there is a lot in the Bible that can give comfort, especially in dark times,” said Naomi.

“In the book there are readings and words to encourage, and to help, even if you don’t believe what those words imply.

“Even if you are not a Christian, the Bible is still full of wisdom and that can be helpful.”

She went on: “In the 1960s there was a sense that science would prove everything and religion was for the elderly or the weak.

“Now I think people are more spiritual. There’s mindfulness and gratitude, and faith.

“There’s lots of the Bible that’s hard to understand and to wrestle with and that needs reflection and interpretation.

“Through the book, and my work, I share what I know. I won’t tell you what to believe in, but I will start a conversation.

“I hope that, for those who already read the Bible and go to church, this book might give them access to lesser known parts they may not have read before.

“For others, I think, and I hope, that this book is a gentle way in.”

Publisher: BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship)

ISBN: 9780857464170