I have felt God calling me throughout my life, even as a child . After my gender change, I thought God was crazy in still calling me. "It’s impossible," I said to God, "but I will answer your call." And, amazingly, God has brought me home to where God wants me to be.

Being outed was painful. Things have calmed down, but I do now carry my gender change around with me, whereas I had forgotten about it before. [It took place ten years ago.] It’s hard having my medical history in everyone’s mind.

Whoever I meet in the town knows, and that makes it a bit more of a live issue. That has certainly added to my load. But it has helped a lot of people to know that you can be accepted in the C of E even if you have an unusual gender background.

There is more to life than a label. But my gender change is an issue I am more happy to talk about since February [when the news became public ( News, 4 February)]. I went on the BBC’s Heaven and Earth Show: I felt I had nothing to lose.

I have received lots of supportive emails, texts, and letters — although I am sure there are people in the Church generally who would be unhappy.

I had always been open and honest about my situation when considering ordination. But I’ve always felt there was a difference between secrecy and privacy. I had wanted to keep my personal circumstances private, but they were not secret from everyone.

Becoming a priest means being drawn more closely into the work of God — living more and more for my creator and for God’s creation. I was priested last Saturday in Hereford Cathedral, and presided for the first time at St Mary’s in Ross-on-Wye the next day.

I see myself as a parish priest, although I am attracted to certain aspects of chaplaincy. I read psychology at university, and I am a musician. It would be good if I could use my psychology skills in ministry, and still keep playing music in my spare time.

The parish and local people have been fabulous. They have taken me as I am with my gifts and my shortcomings, and decided that labels such as "sex-change" hide the truth rather than illuminate it.

The Ross Team Ministry, with its 14 churches, is a great place to be a curate. There are four team priests and a whole host of retired clergy. There are Readers and lay people involved in ministry, as well. I learn from them all. Each church has a different feel to it; so I learn from each congregation, too.

The only downside is that on Sundays I am often rushing off to another service. You can miss the moment for those important conversations, which cannot always be followed up another time.

I am single; so I have a circle of friends as my immediate family. As a child, I wanted to be a priest or an army officer or a musician.

The most important choice I have made is to try to say yes to God each day of my life. My biggest regret is the fact that I am not good at keeping in contact with people; but I find that it takes all I have just to keep going and to be here for the people I am currently with. I am trying to get better.

I would like to be remembered for being a good disciple and a good pastor. If it’s not asking too much, I would like to be remembered as a writer of good songs as well.

Where women get treated as chattels by men, or where enemies are destroyed — in the name of a loving God, of course — these are my least favourite parts of the Bible. I love the Gospels.

Spiritually, the Society of Mary and Martha at Sheldon has been very important. The people are insightful and hospitable, and the rolling Devon hills are beautiful.

I am a songwriter and I play in a band. We have just launched our third CD, which is entitled First Person Plural [details on www.bluebearmusicdemon.com] It’s all original material, with a folk-acoustic feel to it. We aim to tour a couple of weeks a year. It’s great fun, and we work to professional standards.

Sarah Jones was talking to Rachel Harden.