On Saturday 9th September the annual Reader Celebration Service was held at Coventry Cathedral and led by the Bishop of Coventry. One new Reader was licensed and two transferred into the diocese. Twenty-five Readers were re-licensed, including those with permission to officiate.
Jo King, Warden of Readers, is happy to welcome the new Readers and looks forward to sharing their ministry in the diocese.
Allan Steven
Allan has just been licensed as a Reader. He is a Lancastrian who has spent his adult life working in four English regions. He has two daughters, Elizabeth and Alice, and three grandchildren. Allan is a retired drama teacher, latterly at University College School, London. Since retiring, he has written and published five novels. Training for ministry began in Buckinghamshire. Since moving to Stratford Upon Avon he has worshipped at St. Laurence’s, Bidford on Avon, where he will minister in the Heart of England Benefice. In addition to contributing to services in the six churches, he will seek to be involved in schools and funeral ministries.
Carole Ellis
Carole is looking forward to her newly relicensed role as a Reader serving at St. Nicholas’ Church, Warwick. She very much enjoys preaching and leading worship, which of course, are obvious elements of a Lay Minister’s role. Carole wants to commit quite a lot of the time that she has available to Pastoral Care and visiting, including taking communion to the sick and the housebound when needed.
She shall also support a drop in to church they hold on a Wednesday afternoon and a hot chocolate giveaway the church runs free for children on their way home from school.
Carole is planning on gradually adding to her ministry commitments in conjunction with discussion with her vicar as time goes on.
Martin Lowdon
Martin has moved from Leicester Diocese and is looking forward to developing his ministry in The Revel Benefice.