Sarah Stevens says she can remember the exact date at Diocesan School for Girls that she first thought of becoming a priest - but it took a decade for her to follow that calling.

"It was August 17, 1996. I was Chapel Prefect that year and I led the prayers in a service to celebrate the Chapel Festival which the Old Girls and seventh formers attended," says Sarah, who is an Old Girl of the independent all-girls Auckland school.

"Anne Moody was presiding at the Eucharist. Reverend John Paterson, Bishop of Auckland, said how wonderful it was to have an Old Girl return to the school to preside. He said: 'Wouldn't it be great to see some more Old Girls ordained?', and I heard his comment as though it had been spoken directly to me."

Although the idea of being ordained kept returning to Sarah over the next 10 years, she put it to one side while she explored other vocational options and struggled to cope with the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which plagued her during that time.

After leaving school and completing a Bachelor of Science at Auckland University, she considered options including teaching and doing post graduate work in Development Studies but ruled them out because she was worried she would not have enough energy.

Instead she decided to follow a dream to become a journalist - figuring she could fit freelance writing around her fluctuating energy levels.

"I knew it would be good to have something I could do to support myself, even if I could not get out of bed or out of the house."

After training as a journalist then working for Waikato Regional Community Newspapers for a year, she quit her job because of her health and planned to write a book about living with CFS.

"While I was preparing to write the book, I ended up on a faith journey and felt increasingly drawn to life within the church. At the same time friends and family began asking me when I was going to do something about ministry and, more pointedly, what exactly I was waiting for."

When Sarah's sense of calling became too loud to ignore, she sought the discernment of the church and, in February 2007, was accepted for three years of training at St John's College in Meadowbank.

Sarah, who has also completed a Bachelor of Theology degree at Auckland University, was ordained along with 11 other people at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on November 28. She took up the position of Deacon Assistant at the Cathedral the following day.

One of the best things about her training was the privilege of being able to study her faith full time as she was on full scholarships as a residential student of St John's College.

"Living in the multi-cultural environment of the college has also been wonderful. There are Maori and Pakeha students from around New Zealand as well as students from all over the Pacific and Africa.

"It has been a rich environment in which to deepen my understanding of myself and others - to see how, as much as we are all culturally different, we are all children of God and have more in common than our differences."

Studying in the University of Auckland's School of Theology, where Sarah did a double major in biblical studies and practical theology, provided an ecumenical environment where she could learn about other denominations and their expressions of faith.

Her training has also included practical experiences in preaching, leading and organising services as well as studies in mission and evangelism, self care and Te Reo.

One of Sarah's real joys during her training has been to find full health after suffering from CFS for nearly 10 years. Sarah says this is the result of the Lightning Process training course she did in March 2008.

"The Lightning Process has been the most remarkable gift. I no longer struggle to get through each day. I am able to live abundantly knowing that I have the energy to do anything I want to do." Sarah is now able to live out her dream of working full time in ministry.

"Knowing the love of God is the most remarkable gift. I hope that, through my ministry, others might come to know that gift for themselves in new and deeper ways.

"The Gospel message has so much to say to our world and our society. I hope to help people to see that the Bible and the Church have a great deal to offer us all as we search for answers to life's big questions and to make sense of our everyday experiences."