Publications

‘Breaking the Mould – Learning to Thrive as a Ministry Mum’ published by SPCK in Feb 2020

You really are a breath of fresh air.’ If Rev. Jules Middleton had a penny for every time she’d heard that, she’d be able to hire someone else to put on her kids’ birthday parties! Even as a compliment its message is clear: you’re different to what we expect. 

Jules is one of hundreds of mums in ministry across the Church today, and yet against a predominantly white, middle-class, male-dominated history, they can still be something of an anomaly. Bringing together stories from all different walks of life – Pentecostal to Methodist, single mums to adopters, RAF chaplains to disability advisors and everything in-between – Jules maps the highs and lows ministry mums may face as they seek to ‘break the mould’ and challenge the ‘shoulds’ and stereotypes that surround both roles. 

From identity and expectations to prayer and prosecco, this book will inform, entertain and ultimately encourage women that though you may not be able to ‘do it all’ perfectly, by God’s grace (and the help of some good friends and gin!) you can learn to thrive as a ministry mum.

You can order Breaking the Mould from SPCK priced £9.99 or other good bookshops and online retailers!

Reviews of Breaking the Mould:

Church Times >>

BREAKING THE MOULD is a timely book, written about the experience of mothers who are ordained as they pioneer a new way of priesthood; but it has the potential to be of much wider interest in our changing times’.

Inspire Magazine >>

Breaking the mould could inspire you to consider your own story of ministry. It is refreshing and bright, a tonic, and not just for ministry mums’.

Emma Louise blog >>

‘…I’m not the target market for this book, but there were so many places that I felt were speaking directly to me, to the point where multiple times I had to put the book down and just sit and think about what I’d just read’

Rachel Newham blog >>

‘Whether you’re a stay at home Mum, work full time, study full time or a mixture all of your own, I highly recommend “Breaking the Mould” – especially if you’re relatively new to the wonderful world of the ministry mum life’

Bits & Bobs Blog >>

‘…this book was a goldmine.’

Faith At Work Blog >>

‘I would commend this book to all potential and present ‘ministry mums’, as well as to other clergy and ministers, especially perhaps those in senior positions who might have oversight within a church context.  I would also commend the book to those who are not clergy or church ministers but who see their work as a vocation whatever their occupation’.

Sue’s Trifles Blog >>

‘Surprisingly, when I had finished reading it hubby picked it up and is finding it very interesting and readable, proving the point that this is a book which is attractive to a wide readership.

Highly recommended!’

Jayne Manfredi in ‘Outlook’WATCH magazine >>

‘Written in a style that is warm and wise, honest and humble, reading it is like setting down for a chat with an old friend… Her candid and vulnerable telling is comforting to those of us who are travelling this path as well’.


A Short Guide to Surviving ‘The Discernment Process’ in the Church of England.

A free to download guide to exploring vocation in the Church of England. Originally published in 2015, this latest update 2020.