On Saturday 12 October, 14 Pastoral Workers and 7 Readers were licensed at Chester Cathedral. The Bishop of Birkenhead, Keith Sinclair conducted the service in front of hundreds of well-wishers, friends and family.
Bishop Keith says: “Readers and Pastoral Workers play an important role across the Diocese of Chester and both are vital to the life and mission of the Church. Their ministries are different but complementary to each other and to the priests alongside whom they will serve.
“It was a joy to be part of the service at Chester Cathedral and to license each person into their ministry. As they return to their parishes, I pray that through their everyday lives they can confidently share with others the joy of the Gospel and the hope that is found in Jesus. May God bless them in their ministry.”
Bishop Keith greeting the Reader Emeritus at Chester Cathedral
To become a licensed Pastoral Worker or Reader, candidates must first complete theological training, including the diocesan Foundations for Ministry course, followed by two further years of training.
Reader training includes Old and New Testament studies, preaching, worship, mission and discipleship. Pastoral Worker training includes different elements of pastoral care with listening being a key skill.
Readers lead worship, preach and make connections between faith and everyday life. They work to pioneer new opportunities for mission, bring God into conversation and teach the faith. Some take communion to the sick and do other pastoral work.
Pastoral Workers visit those who are ill and take communion to the housebound. They support the bereaved and prepare people for marriage and baptism. They run craft groups, lunch clubs, prayer meetings and home groups and do much more besides. Pastoral Workers also lead teams and support and enable others who work in pastoral ministry.
Those licensed Pastoral Worker:
Linda Ackerley
Julie Brown
Mary Harris
Marney Hearn
Jane Holland - Ahead of her licensing, Jane shared her faith story. Read it here.
Lesley Irvin
Stewart Jackson
Iain MacInnes
Margaret Papworth
Lynne Percival
Gillian Povey Robins
Colin Roberts
Clare Russell
June Willis
Those licensed Reader:
Gaynor Bracey
David Fidal
Alan Fryer
Christopher Gascoigne
Deborah Moores
Christine O’Neill
Karen Wilson
View photographs from the service on our Facebook page.
Are you sensing God’s call on your own life? Come and join others to explore your calling at Called to Serve, a morning event for all those interested in exploring Reader, Pastoral Worker, or ordained ministry in the Diocese of Chester. Find out more.
