A Celebration of Lay Ministries Service will be held on Saturday 27th September at 10.30am in York Minster to recognise and affirm the ministries of lay people in the Diocese of York.
This Eucharist service will celebrate the breadth of lay ministries across the diocese. It will include the authorisation of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs), the admission and licensing of Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) and Licensed Lay Workers, as well as a recognition of those who are taking on other forms of Lay Ministry. There will also be an acknowledgement of the LLMs who have given long service.
As the body of Christ in the Diocese of York, its people and church communities will give thanks for the rich gifts of those who serve in a variety of lay ministries, all of which are a vital part of the ministry of the whole people of God as participants in God’s mission to the world.
The service will include:
- the authorisation of Authorised Lay Ministers. ALMs are lay people active in church life who have a particular gifting, vocation or calling to lay ministry, i.e. those called to work collaboratively alongside their wider ministry teams with a focus on growing, nurturing, and serving the wider parish community.
- the admission and licensing of 17 new Licensed Lay Ministers, and three LLMs transferring into the diocese from elsewhere. Long Service Awards will be presented to three LLMs whose ministry has continued for many years. Licensed Lay Ministers are lay people who represent the church in a public, representative and leadership role. Expressed in a wide variety of ways, their ministry is focused in three main areas: Teaching the Faith, Enabling People in Mission and Being Leaders in Church and Society.
- A celebration of people who have been commissioned in their parishes as Mustard Seed Community Ministers – people who are leading and serving in mission in the Low Income Communities of the Diocese of York.
David Boddy, who is being licensed as an LLM, said, “The formation journey towards becoming an LLM has been an enormously enriching one for my faith and discipleship, deepening my understanding of scripture and theology, and getting to know the diverse traditions of the Church of England from the hugely supportive peers and mentors I’ve encountered. I’m looking forward to continuing on this journey, sharing the gospel and taking part in God’s mission for the church in my home parish and at work.”
Emma Peers, also being licensed as an LLM, said, “The past year has been one of learning, but also of listening – tuning in to the still small voice and the nudges, discerning where God is calling me to serve.
“I am eager to serve God in new and creative ways, supporting existing initiatives, building on past experiences, and exploring new ministry opportunities among a new and evolving team. I am learning to trust God’s timing and seasons, and I look forward to this next chapter, continuing to listen closely for his guidance in directing my steps for the growth of his kingdom. My prayer remains: that God will take me, shape me, and make me his own in ministry.”
Lynn Comer, Warden of Lay Ministry for the Diocese of York, said, “I’m so glad we’re able to celebrate the huge variety of lay ministry we have in our diocese, and it’s wonderful to see so many people saying “yes” to God’s calling on their lives. Our lay ministers play an essential role in the life of the Church, so it’s great to have this opportunity to recognise their skills, gifts, and commitment to serving their communities.”
Archbishop Stephen will be presiding at the Eucharist, and the Revd Canon Dr Ian McIntosh will be preaching – his last service with the diocese as Director of Mission and Ministry.
Those being admitted and licensed as Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) are:
Cleveland Archdeaconry
- David Boddy – the Benefice of North Thornaby
- Tricia Frith – Benefice of Osmotherley w Harlsey and Ingleby Arncliffe (held in plurality w Cowesby, Felixkirk w Boltby, Kirkby Knowle, Leake w Over and Nether Silton and Kepwick)
- Mark Sutcliffe – the Benefice of Ingleby Greenhow, Bilsdale Priory & Kildale with Kirkby-in-Cleveland
East Riding Archdeaconry
- Jill Barton – the Benefice of Hull, St Cuthbert
- John Dixon – the Benefice of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe
- Nicky Goforth – the Benefice of Great and Little Driffield (held in plurality w Langtoft w Foxholes, Butterwick, Cottam and Thwing)
- Chris Huggins-Manners – the Benefice of Sutton in Holderness, St Michael (held in plurality with Bilton-in-Holderness)
- David Sadler – the Benefice of Scarborough St Columba and St James with Holy Trinity
York Archdeaconry
- Sharon Beanland – the Benefice of Aberford w Micklefield
- Enid Bramley – the Benefice of Riccall, Barlby and Hemingbrough
- Joan Foster – the Benefice of Riccall, Barlby and Hemingbrough
- Alan Johnston – the Benefice of Copmanthorpe (held in plurality with Askham Bryan & Bolton Percy w Colton)
- Daniel Khan – the Benefice of Copmanthorpe (held in plurality with Askham Bryan & Bolton Percy w Colton)
- David Marles – the Benefice of Rural East York
- Emma Peers – the Benefice of Acomb St Stephen
- Rachel Reid – the Benefice of Acaster Malbis (held in plurality with Appleton Roebuck w Acaster Selby and Bishopthorpe)
- Ursula Warrington – the Benefice of York St Michael-le-Belfrey
Being admitted and licensed as a Licensed Lay Worker:
- Hannah Smith – the Bishop’s Mission Order known as ‘G2 York’ (York Archdeaconry)
Those being licensed on transfer are:
- Cathie Hallsworth – the Benefice of Bridlington Christ Church with Bessingby and Ulrome (East Riding Archdeaconry)
- Sue Sherwin – the Whitby, Coast & Moors Primary Care Network (Cleveland Archdeaconry)
- Petronella Spivey – the Benefice of Pickering w Lockton and Levisham (Cleveland Archdeaconry)
List of Long-Serving Readers
Readers with 65 years’ service
- Clive Jackson
Readers with 40 years’ service
- Les Bingham
- Michael Sargent
Readers with 25 years’ service
- Jean Faulkes
- Jane Shaw
