Around 30 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) gathered at Holland House over the weekend for fellowship, prayer, and to study the bible together.
The group spent some time studying the book of Proverbs with the Revd Robin Parry, worshipped together and took time out to socialise, sharing their experiences of the role. After the final session on Sunday morning, they were joined by Bishop John who presided at a Eucharist in Holland House chapel and commissioned the Revd Phil Bradford as Co-Warden of Readers alongside Kath Davis
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Kath said: “It’s been a great and really inspiring weekend. We leant a lot about wisdom and a lot about folly and how to use both wisely! Readers can be quite isolated in their different parishes and it’s important to get together as a group, to know what others are doing and build friendships. Being a Reader is both challenging and rewarding and I would encourage anyone considering if they might be called to this ministry to come and talk to me!”
Tracey Skidmore, Reader in the Brierley Hill Team said: “It’s been an incredible weekend. I wasn’t sure about looking at the book of Proverbs, but this weekend has really brought it alive and helped to give a deeper understanding of our faith. It’s also great to meet with those who understand the trials and tribulations of Reader Ministry and have similar experiences. We don’t get the chance to do this often enough!”
Charles Morgan, Reader in the Halas Team in Halesowen said: “The weekend has been very good, quite challenging at times, but we’ve learnt such a lot. I would encourage all Readers to come along to these weekends – it’s not only what you learn, but also meeting together with other Readers, building relationships and understanding how they approach different tasks in their parish.”
