Around 120 Readers from across the Diocese of Lichfield came together at Yarnfield Conference Centre near Stone for their annual gathering.
Last Saturday's event was hosted by Warden of Readers, the Ven Paul Thomas, Archdeacon of Salop. The morning opened with worship, followed by a Bible Study on John 17 on the theme of Unity, led by the Ven Megan Smith. Archdeacon of Stoke.
The keynote speaker was the former Archbishop of Wales, the Rt Revd John Davies, who examined the theme ‘What’s the point of preaching?’.
Clare Whitney, diocesan Lay Ministerial Learning and Development Officer, closed the event by thanking the speakers, and voicing the diocese’s appreciation of Readers for their vital lay ministry. Clare gave an update on exciting new developments in the training pathway for future Readers in the diocese; she also encouraged everyone to "notice, nudge and nurture" the potential Readers in their own congregations to explore vocation to this ministry.
"Reader ministry is just one of the ways in which we, as lay people, can serve God in our churches. In many parishes, particularly rural ones, the collaborative ministry of clergy, Readers and other lay ministries are forming the shape of a ‘mixed ecology’ of church leadership, ministry and mission," said Clare.
If you would like a conversation about training for Reader Ministry, please contact Clare.
To book a place on a Notice, Nudge & Nuture workshop on encouraging all forms of lay ministry within parishes on Friday 21 April or Wednesday 26 April, both from 10am-12noon on Zoom, please complete the booking form.
Pictured, from left: Archdeacon Paul Thomas, the Rt Revd John Davies, and Clare Whitney.