Bishop Rose with all the Readers
On 26 September at Canterbury Cathedral, the Diocese of Canterbury welcomed five new Readers and celebrated the ministry of all Readers in a special service.
Addressing the Cathedral’s congregation, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, said: “Being a Reader is not about being dressed in beautiful robes. Being a Reader is about being engaged in the life of the mission of the Church. You are engaged in mission, because what we are doing is enabling the wider community to experience something of the glory of God. What you are doing is offering worship in the life of the community and we should never think any less because it is not the Eucharist. We should never apologise. You ministry is unique, it is different. So do your ministry and do it well.”
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lay Ministries Adviser & Pastoral Secretary Nigel Collins said, “Our service last year had to take place online, so it was wonderful to be able to hold this joyful and uplifting celebration of lay ministry as part of the worshipping life of our Cathedral. It was indeed an inspiring and memorable occasion as we recognised the valuable and unique contribution of Readers as ministers of the Word in the life of our diocese.”
During the service, Tracy Williams was admitted and licensed as a new Reader and Becky Clifford, Lisa Nissen, Alan Gostelow and Deborah Waller were also licensed as readers in Canterbury Diocese, having transferred from elsewhere. Additionally, Bishop Rose affirmed the ministry of a cohort of Readers who were admitted online last year:
Margaret Bowers
Ann Harrison
Isobel Legg
Sharon Paine
Peter Roberts
Graham Snellin
Anne Loat
Angie Daniel, Bob Kinnear, Norman Fowler and Frances Ventham were retiring and therefore granted the status of Reader Emeritus.
Click here for the full video of the service
Click here for photos from the annual Celebration of Readers