13 July 2024
Chelmsford Cathedral hosted our Lay Ministry Celebration Service on Saturday 13 July.
Pictured: our new Licensed Lay Ministers with Members of the Bishop's Leadership Team, Warden of Readers Canon Caroline Harding LLM and Formation Tutor Anne Heath LLM.
The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Chelmsford has today led our annual service celebrating all lay ministry across Chelmsford Diocese.
During the service Bishop Guli licensed six new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) and authorised six new Pastoral Assistants.
The preacher at this year's service was Anne Heath LLM from St Mary’s, Great Baddow. Anne has been the Formation Tutor for this year’s cohort of new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs).
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.
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 Guli said:
“It’s a great joy to license our new Lay Ministers and authorise our new Pastoral Assistants. I give thanks for their ministry and the ministry of all those across our diocese who serve God and their church communities in a variety of lay roles. Please join me in praying for them as they begin this new chapter.”
Caroline Harding, Lay Ministry Adviser and Warden of Readers in Chelmsford Diocese added:
“Our Lay Ministry Celebration is a highlight in my calendar each year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all forms of 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.”
Our newly authorised Pastoral Assistants with Members of the Bishop's Leadership Team
Meet our new Licensed Lay Ministers
Our new LLMs who were licensed at the service were
Jacqui Moss
Jacqui Moss will be serving St Gabriel’s with St Peter’s, Pitsea with Nevendon.
Jacqui says:
"Looking back over the last three years of formation and training, I can say that it has been one of my best experiences ever. I feel equipped and empowered to the service of God’s kingdom. And, as I step into the new and exciting season of what God have in store for me, I am looking forward to serving my community, church family and beyond. To God be the Glory. Amen"
Henry Lau
Henry Lau will be serving at Aldersbrook, St Gabriel.
John Philip
John Philip will be serving The Theydon Parishes.
Julie Titley
Julie Titley will be serving the Cross Reach Churches.
Tina Bailes
Tina Bailes will be serving within the Grays Thurrock Team Ministry.
Wendy Borgartz
Wendy Borgartz will be serving the Thurstable and Winstree Benefice.
Meet our new Pastoral Assistants
Our new Pastoral Assistants are:
- Suzie Dodd
- Arthur Dodd
- Radcliff Facey
- Helen King
- Sarah-Ann Robbshaw
- Jenny Pratt
Share your photos
If you attended the celebration service, we would love to see your photos. Share them with us by tagging @chelmsdio on social media with the hashtags #ChelmsdioLLMs and #CelebratingLayMinistry.
Lay ministry in our Diocese
There are a wide variety of lay ministries in our diocese. For more details about lay ministry options, training and resources visit our Lay Ministry webpages or contact Caroline Harding, our Diocesan Lay Ministry Adviser and Warden of Readers.
View our Gallery
Below you can view an array of images from our Lay Ministry Celebration Service on Saturday 13th July.
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Our new Licensed Lay Ministers with Members of the Bishop's Leadership Team, Warden of Readers Canon Caroline Harding LLM and Formation Tutor Anne Heath LLM.
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Time for photographs after the service
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Our new LLMs are presented with bibles by Bishop Guli
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Our new LLMs are presented with bibles by Bishop Guli
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Our new LLMs are presented with bibles by Bishop Guli
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Lay Ministry Celebration Service
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Lay Ministry Celebration Service
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Lay Ministry Celebration Service
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Lay Ministry Celebration Service
