The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, admitted eight new Readers to serve in parishes in the Diocese of York, during a service at York Minster on Saturday 24th November.
Readers are lay ministers who lead acts of worship, and help reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ through explaining the Bible and Christian belief. Through their preaching and teaching and in their pastoral work, Readers help others grow through the Gospel message, and share in sustaining the Church’s work of caring for people in Christ’s name.
Those newly admitted on the 24th November have trained with the York School of Ministry which involves both formational training and academic study.
Those admitted as Readers, with the parishes in which they will serve, are:
- Kathleen Brown to serve in Kirk Levington with Picton and High and Low Worsall.
- Jeanne Barton to serve in Walkington, Bishop Burton, Rowley and Skidby.
- John Bestley to serve in Walkington, Bishop Burton, Rowley and Skidby.
- Nicholas Gledhill to serve at Hull Minster.
- April Heywood to serve at St Mary, Lowgate, Hull.
- Jacqueline Moore to serve at Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe.
- Wendy Macfarlane to serve in the Stamford Bridge Group of Parishes.
- Tricia West to serve in Tadcaster, Church Fenton, Kirkby Wharfe and Newton Kyme.
In addition:
- Julie Hay has moved from another diocese and is licensed to serve in Folkton, Ganton, Hunmanby, Muston and Willerby (the Hertford Benefice).
- Patricia Hirst has moved from another diocese and is licensed to serve in Bempton, Flamborough, Reighton and Speeton.
- David Ferguson has moved from another diocese and has been given the Archbishop’s Permission to Officiate in Danby, Castleton and Commondale.
- Peter Oakes received a renewed licence to serve at Hull Minster.
Tricia West is a retired Church Administrator married to Steve (also a Reader) with three grown-up children and two very small grandchildren. She lives in Tadcaster, and will be licensed to serve in the Tadcaster United Benefice, which also includes Church Fenton, Newton Kyme & Kirkby Wharfe:
“I am particularly fascinated by liturgy and how the various parts of any service can join to create a space where we are enabled to meet with God, using all of our senses. I am delighted that, as part of my ministry, I work with teams that prepare and deliver Family/All Age Services and am able to use my skills in that area.
“I also have passion for encouraging and teaching both those who are at the early stages of their faith journey and those who might be more mature in faith, but still want to learn more, co-leading a Nurture Group and a Bible Study group.
“After resisting a call to Reader ministry for a number of years, justifying it because I was supporting Steve through his training, I began the training just over 3 years ago. Despite my previous theology degree and more years than I care to count serving in various churches in different ministries, it has still been a steep learning curve, but one which I count myself privileged to have been called to.”
Diocesan Warden of Readers the Venerable Sam Rushton said, “It’s wonderful to see a member of your own church called to a recognised ministry as a teacher and preacher of the Christian faith; in so many churches a Reader steps back and forth across the thin line between leader and member, and helps to build up the Body of Christ in that place. I’m thankful that so many people of all ages and talents are called to serve God and God’s people as Readers.”