On Saturday 08 October, Bishops Mark, Julie and Sam admitted and licensed 8 new Pastoral Workers and 4 new Readers and licensed one Reader transferring to a different parish, as well as celebrating the ministry of those either applying for the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate or taking on the title of Reader or Pastoral Worker Emeritus.
Revd Jenny Bridgman, who has recently stepped down as Director of Studies for Pastoral Workers, said “It has been a privilege to prepare these women and men for public ministry. Their compassion, energy, wisdom and love for Jesus will be transformative within the contexts they serve”.
Rev Simon Chesters, Director of Ministry, said “It was a real joy to be part of this service, both welcoming new licensed lay ministers after their training and also giving thanks for the long service of those who have ministered as Readers and Pastoral Workers over many years. We continue to be thankful for the faithful and creative ministry of so many lay ministers across the Diocese. We look forward to meeting with these and many other Readers and Pastoral Workers on the community days on November 4th and 5th, which will be a great time to meet together in worship, prayer and learning”.
If you would like to explore a vocation to licensed lay ministry, do look out for the annual vocations event, Called to Serve, which will take place on Saturday 27th January 2024. Bookings will open later this month. The Ministry team always welcome enquiries about licensed ministry, and can be reached by contacting ministry@chester.anglican.org
Eight Pastoral Workers and four Readers were licensed at a special service at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 07 October. The service was led by the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner.
The service can be viewed on the Chester Cathedral YouTube channel
Photos are available on our Facebook page
Those licensed are listed below.
Readers
Anne Joyce: Alsager, St Mary Magdalene
John Hart: Neston, St Mary and St Helen
Nigel James: Great Sutton, St John Evangelist
Berenice Kirwan: Northwich, St Helen
Pastoral Workers
Alex Calvert: Great Meols, St John the Baptist
Anne Conder: Plemstall, St Peter with Guilden Sutton, St John the Baptist
Flo Knowles: Wilmslow, St Bartholomew
Andrew Liston: Great Meols, St John the Baptist
Lesley Morgan: Christleton, St James
Anne Murphy: Pott Shrigley, St Christopher
Elizabeth Rene: Davenham, St Wilfrid
Beryl Smith: Tranmere, St Paul with St Luke
Readers transferring to the Diocese
Mick Boyle: Mottram, St Michael and All Angels
Readers (receiving Permission to Officiate)
Michael Barritt
Mary Daw
John Fenton
Fran Hiles
Barbara Hollington
David Hollington
Roger Howarth
Frances Ireland
John Smith
Lesley Young
Pastoral Workers (receiving Permission to Officiate)
Jenifer Kidd
Sue Mellor