22/09/2023
A Celebration of Lay Ministries Service led by the Archbishop of York on Saturday 23 September at 11.00am in York Minster is to mark a new chapter in recognising the ministries of lay people in the Diocese of York; Bishop of Doncaster Sophie Jelley, the Church of England's national lead bishop for Lay Ministries, will preach.
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:
- an affirmation and welcome for those who have previously been called Recognised Parish Assistants and who will now be designated Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs). Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) are lay people active in church life, who have a particular gifting, vocation or calling to lay ministry.
- the admission and licensing of five new Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) and three LLMs transferring into the diocese from elsewhere. The ministry of all serving LLMs (Readers) will be celebrated, and long-service certificates awarded to LLMs whose ministry has continued for many years. Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) are lay people who represent the church in a public, representative and leadership role.
- the licensing of two new Church Army Evangelists who are commissioned by the Church Army. Their Evangelists share the gospel with those on the margins of society, and help to communicate God’s love in word and action with those who would rarely step inside the doors of a church building. The Church Army is a mission community of people with a passion for evangelism who are transforming lives and neighbourhoods throughout the British Isles and Ireland; its Evangelists live and breathe God’s love in creative and pioneering ways.
Warden of Lay Ministry for the Diocese of York, Lynn Comer, said, "It's a joy to celebrate the wealth of lay ministry taking place across the diocese and exciting to see people taking up these newly-reimagined lay ministry roles. We are continuing to explore what the future of our church in the Diocese of York will look like as part of our commitment to Living Christ's Story here, and today's service shows just a few strands of the many ways that God calls us all to be part of that plan."
Those new to Licensed Lay Ministry (Readers) are:
- Allison Ward - to be admitted and licensed to the parish of St Barnabas, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough
- John Alastair Wordsworth - to be admitted and licensed to the benefice of Great and Little Driffield (held in plurality with Langtoft with Foxholes, Butterwick, Cottam and Thwing)
- Sharon Ruth Wordsworth - to be admitted and licensed to the benefice of Great and Little Driffield (held in plurality with Langtoft with Foxholes, Butterwick, Cottam and Thwing)
- Sarah Ann Clarke – to be admitted and licensed to the parish of Nether with Upper Poppleton, York
- Stephen Percival - to be admitted and licensed to the benefice of Wilberfoss with Kexby
Two Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) will be licensed to parishes in the Diocese of York having transferred from other parts of the country:
- Kevin Philip Boak - to be licensed on transfer as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) to the parish of Scalby
- Helen Anne Jackson – to be licensed on transfer as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) to the benefice of Emmanuel Bridlington and Barmston with Fraisthorpe
Two people are to be licensed as Church Army Evangelists:
- Joanne Milns – to be licensed as Licensed Lay Worker (Evangelist) ministering in the parish of Withernsea with Owthorne
- Kia Macpherson – to be licensed as Licensed Lay Worker (Evangelist) ministering in the benefice of Marfleet, (Hull)
Around 100 of those newly re-designated as Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) will be present, to give thanks for their ministry to date as Recognised Parish Assistants and to affirm their calling and commitment to their new role in parishes across the Diocese of York.
Six Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) will receive long service awards:
With over 50 years’ service as of December 2023:
- Mr David Jefferson – Beverley Minster
With over 40 years’ service as of December 2023:
- Prof David Ferguson – Benefice of The Moorlands
With over 25 years’ service as of December 2023:
- Mrs Olwyn Cooke – New Marske
- Mrs Pam Dean (recently retired) – Pocklington and Owsthorpe and Kilnwick Percy
- Mrs Christine Hill – Wilton (focal minister)
- In her absence as she cannot attend the service: Miss Liz Donaldson – St Alban, Hull
