FOUR young people in the diocese of Hereford are being invited to spend a year trying out ministry in the Church to see whether that is what they want to do. The scheme is called "Discover", and the four will live together in a shared house in Hereford, and receive a weekly allowance from the diocese.

The Rector of the Ariconium Group, the Revd Neil Patterson (pictured looking over applications with Laura Johnson, the Young Vocations Champion), is in charge of the scheme.

"If you are wondering whether going in to the Church is for you, or whether working in a parish is what you want to do, then this is a chance to test it out in a rural area," he says.

The free accommodation in Hereford will enable the participants to have their own space and relax away from their parishes, and they will have regular visits to provide support and updates on any issues that may arise in the parishes.

"The central part of the year is the placement in a particular church, where they will be able to help with worship and other parish work," Mr Patterson says. "They could be involved in schoolwork, or community groups, and possibly with christenings and wedding couples. They might also have individual projects to develop over the year."

For their theological study, those taking part will be enrolled in the teaching programme of the West of England Ministerial Course, which takes place in Ludlow each week.