Last month a breadth of ministry was honoured at Coventry Cathedral during our Celebration of Lay Ministry service.
The service started by licensing three people as Readers for the first time and then relicensing those who were recommitting to their Reader ministry. The congregation then applauded those who have completed Pathways to explore and deepen in a particular ministry area, all giving freely of their time and energy both to completing the Pathways and in living out their ministry. The service finished with an assortment of nominations for people that covered a multitude of ministries, giftings and skills, including many that often go unseen.
Anna Naish, Lay Learning and Training Lead, commented:
“We are so aware of the value of our lay people and all that they give in their ministries, it was a privilege to hear their experiences, see the variety and share doughnuts together to celebrate!”
Anthony Rich, one of the new Readers, said:
“it was both a privilege and a pleasure to be licenced by +Sophie. In particular, I felt reassured and renewed that the wider Church discerned my call to Lay Ministry in the same way as I had perceived the Lord’s call. The task is now to go out, refortified by that support, to find where and how God is wanting me to serve and in what ways. I think I know where He is calling me just now, but I must be ever vigilant to hear His call to any other work He has for me. For His vineyard is ripe for harvest, but labourers are few.”
Another new Reader, Debbie Rumsby, said:
"The service for me marked a point of completion - of all the training and courses and also the exciting start to this new ministry ahead. Something happened spiritually when I was given my blue scarf. It was very moving and I felt very blessed."
Bishop Sophie commented:
“It was a glorious celebration of the whole people of God, as lay and ordained are working together to promote the gospel and bring in the kingdom across the diocese of Coventry.”
If you are involved in church leadership, do be thinking about who you might nominate to be celebrated at the service next year.