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- Welcome to our new Readers!
Sixteen new Readers were licensed in York Minster on Saturday 15th November.You can see all the pictures from the service here.
Archbishop
Sentamu said: “People often see vicars and bishops as the face of the
church, but the reality is that the church is built on the thousands of
lay people, like Readers, who give so much in service to their
congregations and communities. It’s wonderful to see sixteen people
being licensed to this wonderful ministry, and I give heartfelt thanks
to God for their service!”
Steve West, from Tadcaster, is one of
those who will be licensed at the service. He said, “I’ve been a
Christian for over 40 years, and work in the construction industry as a
Quantity Surveyor. Building sites are not the sort of place where God
can easily be seen. They are tough places to work and one needs to be
broad-minded to accept some of what is seen and heard. But there are
people who want to talk about life events and concerns over issues which
affect them and they welcome an opportunity to look at things from a
faith-based perspective. I have had some deep conversations with
colleagues – they are often surprised to learn of my faith and of my
training as a Reader.
“My training to be a Reader has been awesome! I never realised there
was so much I didn’t know. It was strange being given encouragement to
question why I believe what I believe and how my faith has shaped me
into the person I am. I look forward to continuing my ministry in the
worship life of the Benefice of Tadcaster and to being involved in
serving the wider community.”
Graeme Wrightson will serve the
churches in Riccall, Barlby and Hemingbrough. He said, “I am an
Assistant Headteacher at a high school in Bradford, where most of our
students are British Asian Muslims. As an Assistant Headteacher and a
Christian, it is crucial to support colleagues and students, but
sufficiently challenge them as well. Faith brings to me the ability to
be a more rounded leader and very often my moral purpose is inextricably
linked to seeing it from my neighbour's standpoint.
“I also play
cricket for Guisborough Cricket Club, and I played semi-professionally
for 8 seasons and have 20 years 1st team experience as well as 2nd XI
for Essex County Cricket Club. Within a cricketing sense, the honesty
amongst teammates and desire to win is essential, but my faith sets out
boundaries - there are certain standards I won't compromise on such as
cheating or harassing officials. We play hard but within the rules of
the game!”
Jane Robson will serve the parishes of Christ Church,
Eston and St George, Normanby. She said, “Wherever I have lived I have
been an active member of my local church. But as the Clinical Pharmacy
Manager at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust most of my time has been
spent studying various post graduate qualifications for pharmacy. In
2010 I decided I would like to investigate studying theology and whilst
praying about this I heard the call to be a Reader. My friends and my
Rector confirmed it and in 2011 I commenced the Reader training
programme.
“The last three years have been a combination of
stress, fun, challenge, opportunity and bewilderment as I discovered
unknown talents such as preaching, new skills which I can use at work as
well as church and a better understanding of the richness to be found
in the wider church. In addition my walk with the Lord has deepened.”
Lynn
Comer, Director of Reader Studies in the Diocese of York said, “Through
their preaching and teaching and in their pastoral work, Readers help
others explore the Gospel message, and share in the Church’s work of
caring for people in Christ’s name. Readers lead acts of worship in the
church, and they help the good news of Christ come alive through
explaining the Bible and Christian belief”.
The people licensed as Readers were:
- Michael Bailey - Parish of All Saints, Shiptonthorpe
- Elaine Bannister - Parish of Christ Church, Bridlington Quay
- Judith Dean - Benefice of Seamer with East Ayton
- Sylvia Eadington - Parish of St Mary, Scarborough
- Jean Fowler - Parish of Bridlington Priory Church (St Mary)
- Jill Gillanders - Deanery of Mowbray
- Dot Hicks - Parish of St Mary, Strensall
- Carol Holdsworth - To be licensed subsequently in Durham diocese
- David Hobman - Parish of All Saints, Pavement, York
- Elizabeth Moreland - Deanery of Scarborough
- Jane Robson - Parishes of Christ Church, Eston and St George, Normanby
- Keith Shaw - Benefice of Sherburn in Elmet w Saxton
- Susi Strang Wood - Benefice of Easington w Liverton
- Stephen West – Tadcaster United Benefice
- Graeme Wrightson - Benefice of Riccall, Barlby and Hemingbrough
- Kenneth
Whiteway - Parish of St Barnabas, Linthorpe having transferred from
Connections international group of churches affiliated to the
Evangelical Alliance
The following people transferred to Reader ministry in the Diocese of York:
- Diane Craven - York Minster
- David Crosby - Benefice of Clifton, York
- Peter Higson - Benefice of Middle Esk Moor
- John Milner - Reader in the Diocese of Manchester to be granted an
additional licence to minister in the benefice of Whitby with Ruswarp
Gerald Edmondson-Jones from Easingwold was made Reader Emeritus.
Go to Reader pages