8 June 2026
The Diocesan Lay Ministry Celebration Service is taking place on Sunday 5 July at 3.30pm in Chelmsford Cathedral.
The service is an opportunity for us to gather as a Diocese and celebrate the variety of Lay Ministries in our places of worship, communities and schools across Essex and East London.
The service will see the licensing of a new Licensed Lay Minister and the authorising of Pastoral Assistants and Spiritual Companions. We would like everyone who leads services as a lay minister to come and join the celebration.
Canon Caroline Harding, Warden of Readers and Diocesan Lay Ministry Adviser says:
“The ministry of lay ministers is part of the lifeblood of our Church, and without the vital part they play, the Church could not carry out God’s Mission: to make the Gospel known through our words and actions, and to help realise the Kingdom of God here on earth.
“Our Diocesan Lay Ministry Celebration Service will be a wonderful opportunity to come together and pray for all lay ministries, giving thanks for the dedicated service of so many volunteers.”
If you feel God is calling you to lay ministry within the Church of England, find out more information below.
For more on vocations in our diocese follow @ChelmsDioVocations on Instagram.
This article is taken from the latest edition of We Pray.