The Bishop of Lichfield will licence 26 new lay ministers during a special service in Lichfield Cathedral next week. Four of the new ministers are existing Lay Readers transferring to this diocese after moving to the area from other dioceses; but the other 22 are being newly licensed for the first time.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, said: “The licensing of new ministers is one of the most exciting things about being a bishop; and I pray that God will use these faithful servants to bring blessings to their local communities.”
In addition to licensing new ministers; the service will also recognise seven Lay Readers who will receive Long Service Awards to mark 25 years of authorised ministry.
Fifteen of the new ministers being licensed this year will be Lay Readers, which is the traditional role for lay ministry in the Church of England. Lichfield Diocese has long recognised alternate forms of authorised lay ministry and those being licensed include five Pastoral Care Ministers; a Community Links Minister and a Spirituality Minister.
The new ministers have been supported by their parishes and endorsed by their Parochial Church Councils. Their calling to ministry has been tested in the diocese and they have undergone a period of training for their new roles.
The Revd Pauline Shelton, Principal of Ordained Local Ministry and Reader Training in the Diocese, says: “This cohort has been very special because of their openness and the mutual care and support they’ve offered one another – as well as the sheer amount of fun we’ve had together during their training.
“It is wonderful to see this vibrant, lively committed group of people offering themselves for ministry. They’ve been transformed during their training and will go out from the Cathedral to transform their workplaces and neighbourhoods, growing God’s kingdom throughout the diocese.”
The new ministers are:
- Susan Ammann
Reader
All Saints with Christ Church, Burton on Trent
- Julie Atkins
Reader
Basford, St Mark
- Andrea Beech
Reader
Penn Fields, Wolverhampton
- Andrea Beeston
Reader
Penn Fields, Wolverhampton
- Lynn Brough
Reader
Bucknall Team Ministry
- Suzanne Burgon
Pastoral Care Minister
Tamworth, St Francis, Leyfields
- Alan Causer
Pastoral Care Minister
Ocker Hill, St Mark, Tipton
- Karen Davies
Reader
United Benefice of Criftins with Dudleston and Welsh Frankton
- Marlene Ferns
Reader
United Benefice of St Peter, Caverswall, St Andrew, Weston Coyney & All Saints, Dilhorne
- Nicola Grey
Reader
Benefice of Uttoxeter Area
- Stephen Hammersley
Reader
Brereton and Rugeley Team Ministry
- Philip Harper
Reader
Codsall
- Elizabeth Hobbis
Community Links Minister
St Michael and All Angels, Penkridge with St John, Stretton
- Jeanne Hughes
Reader
United Benefice of Criftins with Dudleston and Welsh Frankton
- Valerie Jones
Pastoral Care Minister
St Chad with St Mary and St Alkmund, Shrewsbury
- Elizabeth Parker
Pastoral Care Minister
St John the Baptist, Wetley Rocks and Werrington
- Olly Passant
Reader
Cheswardine, Childs Ercall, Hales, Hinstock, Sambrook and Stoke on Tern
- Karen Peach-Robinson
Reader
St Mary and St Luke, Shareshill
- Gillian Sims
Spirituality Minister
Bucknall Team Ministry
- Vivienne Skidmore
Pastoral Care Minister
Penn Fields, Wolverhampton
- Christine Tough
Reader
Perton
- Janine Wright
Reader
Penn Fields, Wolverhampton
The Lay Readers transferring to Lichfield Diocese are:
- Susan Gibson (Newcastle)
to Shawbury, Moreton Corbet and Stanton upon Hine Heath
- Ian Host (Coventry)
to Brewood and Bishopswood
- Joy Leathers (Derby)
to Alton, Bradley-le-Moors, Denstone, Ellastone, Stanton and Mayfield
- Clive Lilley (St Edmundsbury & Ipswich)
to Meir Heath and Normacot
Long Service Awards will be presented to:
- Keith Garner
Reader at St Martin, Talke
- Margaret Hulstone
Reader at St Lawrence, Biddulph
- Dennis Ing
Reader at St Thomas, Aldridge
- Barry Lowe
Reader at Christ Church, Burntwood
- David Pierce
Reader at St Michael and All Angels, Lilleshall; and St John the Evangelist, Muxton
- Carole Taylor
Reader at St Lawrence, Biddulph
- John Underhill
Reader at St Peter, Norbury; Christ Church, Knightley; St Michael and All Angels, Adbaston; and St Mary, High Offley
The special service - A Celebration of New Ministry with the Admission, Authorisation and Commitment to Ministry of Lay Local Ministers – takes place in Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire, at 2.00pm on Saturday 4th September 2010.