Lay ministry throughout the diocese was celebrated on Saturday.
At the 1130 Cathedral Eucharist, four Readers received certificates acknowledging 25 and 40 years of service respectively.
Bishop Michael presented to Dorothy Clayton (of Pendeford St Paul's) and Andrew Farrow (Little Aston) and also noted Helen Gallagher (Shelton & Oxon) and Ruth Bull (Doxey) who were unable to be in the cathedral who all completed 25 years as readers this year. That was followed by admiration and certificates for Elizabeth Corbett (Brownhills with Ogley Hay) and Philip Smith (Hartshill, Penkhull and Trent Vale, Draycott-le-Moors with Forsbrook) who completed 40 years as Readers.
Then in the afternoon around 70 took part in the Renewal of Commitment to Ministry before seven new Readers were admitted to their ranks.
The joyful service included testimony from three readers:
- Mary Rose was licensed a year ago and talked of how the new Lay Ministry programme results in new Readers being licensed more swiftly and gaining more support in the early years of their ministry.
- Canon Debbie Parkes recounted the happenings and horror that set her into discovering her calling to Reader ministry five years ago. And finally,
- Dennis Abbot spoke of finding his path: disappointment when turned down for ordination followed by satisfaction in Reader ministry. He noted it is often a privileged position, leading to long-term service in one place. He noted he's seen three incumbents come and go in his parish and, with a wry grin at Bishop Michael, a similar number of diocesan bishops!
In his sermon, Bishop Michael once again emphasised his belief that priestly and lay ministries complement each other rather than one being in any way inferior, with different roles and relating to congregations and communities in different ways. He thanked Harvey Gibbons, Warden of Readers for his support for this ministry as well as the diocesan staff of the Ministry Dept, in particular Jeanette Hartwell and Ben Care who have significant responsiblities for developing and encouraging lay ministries.
The new Readers are:
- Richard Brinck-Johnson (Walsall St Martin)
- Sharon Hodgetts (Walsall Wood)
- Debra Tickell (Alstonefield)
- Julia Podmore (Bagnall with Endon and Horton)
- Louise Davies (Bucknall Team Ministry)
- Vanessa Patrick-Wood (Leek Area Team)
- Denzal Evans (Cheswardine, Child Ercall, Hales, Hinstock, Hodnet with Peplow, Sambrook and Stoke-on-Tern.
Images from the day, including new Readers before the servie and their sponsors/paparazzi(!); Ben Care leading them into the cathedral; moments of presentation to the bsihop, the Admission, presented with Bibles (Old and New Testaments at once, unlike deacons' ordinations) and gathering outside after the service.
Anyone wishing to explore ministry (lay or ordained) is encouraged to first talk to their own parish clergy, or in a vacancy the rural dean. With the support of their PCC, enrolement on the Chad Foundations programme of study is often the next step - see the website or contact Revd Ben Care.
Further photos from the day are available to view and download on our Flickr album.