17 June 2023
On Saturday 17 June Chelmsford Cathedral hosted a special celebration of Lay Ministry.
Chelmsford Cathedral hosted our Lay Ministry Celebration Service on Saturday 17 June, 2.30pm.
The Right Reverend Lynne Cullens, the Bishop of Barking, and The Right Reverend Roger Morris, the Bishop of Colchester, led the service celebrating all Lay Ministry across Chelmsford Diocese. The preacher was Kate Green, Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) from St Mary the Virgin, Stebbing.
During the service Bishop Lynne licensed five new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) and an LLM who is joining us from another diocese was also welcomed at the service.
LLMs are theologically trained, and their role involves working alongside ordained ministers and other lay leaders in their church community. They have a clear leadership role and can use their leadership skills in a variety of ways, as an adult educator – training or mentoring other lay ministries - focusing Christian nurture or as someone who attends to the connection between faith and daily life.
The service also saw the authorisation of five new Pastoral Assistants, conducted by Bishop Roger. Pastoral Assistants offer pastoral care in the church and wider community. They are people who have a passion for communicating the message of Christ to others through caring action.
Speaking ahead of the service, Bishop Lynne said:
“It’s a blessing for our diocese that people offer themselves in service to God in lay ministry and leadership and to our church communities. It is a joy to see such lay ministries thrive here. Please join me in praying for our new Licensed Lay Ministers and Pastoral Assistants as they start this new chapter in their ministry.”
Bishop Roger commented:
“The Lay Ministry Celebration service reminds us that every baptised Christian is called to some form of ministry. In this service, we celebrate the particular ministries of Licensed Lay Ministers and Pastoral Assistants, and we thank God for those who are embarking on this ministry for the first time. We also pray that God will continue to stir up his people and encourage each one of them in their own ministry”
Caroline Harding, Lay Development Adviser in Chelmsford Diocese added:
“I really look forward to our Lay Ministry Celebration, it’s wonderful to celebrate all lay ministry in our diocese and give thanks for the gifts and talents people offer in serving their parishes and worshipping communities across Essex and East London.”
Meet our new Licensed Lay Ministers
Our new LLMs are:
Alyson Davies - Grays Thurrock and Chadwell St Mary
Ayo Olunloyo - Stratford, St John with Christ Church
Sandra Wood - Blackmore and Stondon Massey
Katherine Garner - High Ongar with Norton Mandeville
Christine Rose - St Luke’s Cranham Park
Welcomed from the Diocese of St Asaph’s in the Church of Wales:
Brenda Smedley will be serving at St Andrew with Holy Cross, Basildon
Photos from our Celebration of Lay Ministry
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New LLMs with Bishop Roger, Bishop Lynne, Caroline Harding(Lay Ministry Adviser) and Kate Green (LLM preacher)
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New Pastoral Assistants with Bishop Roger, Bishop Lynne, Hazel Kempton (Pastoral Assistant Training Co-ordinator) and Kate Green (LLM preacher)
Watch the service
The service was live streamed on the Chelsmford Cathedral Facebook page and can be watched below.
Lay ministry in our Diocese
There are a wide variety of lay ministries in our diocese. More details about lay ministry options, training and resources can be found on our lay ministry webpages or contact our Lay Development Adviser, Caroline Harding.