Six people from parishes across the Diocese were admitted to the office of Reader on Saturday in Worcester Cathedral. The Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick, conducted the service, licensing the individuals to minister in the parishes they have been called to serve.
Readers are trained and licensed lay ministers in the Church of England who offer a ministry of preaching and teaching in parishes that is complementary to ordained ministry. All those being licensed have completed two years of training through the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham. After being licensed they carry out a wide range of tasks within their parishes and beyond, especially helping others to reflect on their faith and how it relates to their daily lives.
Those admitted and licensed were:
- Tony Bill, serving in Kidderminster East
- Helen Black, serving at Hampton w Sedgebarrow & Hinton on the Green, Evesham
- Sue Cousins, serving in Kidderminster West
- Claire Darnborough, serving at Great Malvern Priory
- Robbie Porter, serving at St Martin in the Cornmarket, Worcester
- Kathryn Trinder, serving East Vale & Avon Villages, just outside of Evesham
Bishop Martin said:
“Lay Ministers play a very important role in our churches, sharing their faith with others and serving them in God's name. My father was a Lay Minister, so I grew up knowing how valuable that lay voice is as God’s word is opened and explored in our worship and lived out in daily life. I was delighted to be able to license and welcome these six people to this very important role.”
The service took place in Worcester Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.
Quotes from the Candidates:
Claire Darnborough (Malvern Priory)
I was brought up as a Christian and felt God calling me at age 16, but in the end took a different route and became a professional classical singer. When I was 35, following a traumatic, life-changing event, I again felt God’s call, and after moving to Malvern I began thinking about Reader ministry. It’s been a 17-year journey since then, but the Lord has his own time, and this is definitely the right time for me now. I am thrilled to be able to serve the Lord as a Licensed Lay Minister.
Helen Black (Hampton w Sedgebarrow & Hinton on the Green)
Reader training has been a wonderful and thought-provoking experience, during which my faith, knowledge, and confidence have grown significantly. I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to journey alongside new friends as we discovered more about the Bible, applied academic study, and spent time on placement in a different Parish. Although the course has been hard work and at times challenging, it has been incredibly inspiring, and I look forward to developing my ministry within the Benefice and local communities that I serve.
Kathryn Trinder (East Vale & Avon Villages)
During the two-year training to become a lay Reader, I have experienced times of stress while writing an assignment and seeing the submission date looming closer, but there have been many more times of joy. I loved discovering the detail and order of the creation story, which is then reflected in the Psalms and New Testament writings. I have learnt how to see and follow the movement of God’s plan through the bible, finding the interlinks and flowing from one book to another, and this has been both revealing and confirming. I am beginning to see his plan for me, while being aware that there is more to know and much to implement.
Robbie Porter (St Martin in the Cornmarket, Worcester)
I have thoroughly enjoyed training to become a Reader. It has been thought provoking and challenging and it was great to understand how the theology could be applied practically. I am looking forward to taking Morning Prayer in my parish and offering pastoral support to other people.
Sue Cousins (Kidderminster West)
My vicar suggested considering becoming a Lay Reader and as I’ve always wanted to explore ministry, this seemed like the right opportunity at the right time. I’m proud to have completed the course and it has given me more confidence to talk about my faith with others. It will be a privilege to work alongside and support the experienced clergy team in Kidderminster West.
Tony Bill (Kidderminster East)
For a long time I have felt God nudging me! Becoming a Licensed Lay Minister feels a very daunting undertaking and very humbling. My career was as a teacher and I worked with children with special needs for over 20 years. I’m now exploring funeral ministry as I think that will be a good fit with my skills.
See all the photos from the service:
