CAPTION: The new Licensed Lay Ministers will be based at parishes across Devon
Celebrating ‘Unsung Heroes of the Church’ as New Lay Ministers are Licensed at Exeter Cathedral
The Bishop of Plymouth has licensed seven new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) to serve in parishes across Devon.
The ceremony took place during the annual Licensed Lay Ministry celebration service at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 7 October at which LLMs (historically known as Readers) from across the county were gathered, wearing their distinctive blue scarves.
Nine LLMs were also re-licensed after transferring to new parishes and new Church Army Evangelist, Heidi Lewis, was also officially welcomed to the Diocese after being commissioned in Sheffield.
New LLM Alison Fisher with her husband and grandson
It was the first time the Rt. Rev’d James Grier has presided over the service since he became a bishop just over a year ago.
He said afterwards “It was an absolute privilege and honour to license our new LLMs and those transferring to Exeter Diocese from elsewhere.
“LLMs are some of the unsung heroes of the church. They and their families sacrifice so much for them to be able to train alongside all the other demands of daily life.
“They then go on to give so generously and faithfully to the life of the church. All I can say is thank you and that we don’t celebrate our amazing lay leaders enough. Saturday was a truly wonderful occasion.”
Licensed Lay Ministers work alongside clergy in mission communities in a voluntary capacity. The role is a broad one and can involve leading worship, teaching, preaching, taking funerals, pastoral visiting, leading community outreach, fresh expressions of church, children and families work and more.
“Our LLMs are focal ministers, service takers, study group leaders, wise interpreters, pastoral carers, local encouragers; their deeply-valued ministry is rooted in their local context but informed and enriched by their nationally recognised theological training.” Ven. Andrew Beane, Warden of Readers
The new LLMs trained for three years at the South West Ministry Training Course (SWMTC). They are: Steve Bunce, from Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple, Jude Carter, who is a Community Chaplain in Cranbrook, Alison Fisher, from the Totnes Mission Community, David Harwood, from the Christchurch Paignton and St Paul’s, Preston, Mission Community, Mariska Minter, the Families and Outreach Worker at St Pancras Church in Plymouth, Ruth Morley, from the Tiverton St Paul and St George Mission Community, and Chloe Axford and Mackenzie Robinson, from the Ashburton and Moorland Mission Community.
LLMs gathered for the annual celebration service from across Devon
Alison Fisher, whose family, including her baby grandson, were there to support her, said “The service was a joyous celebration. It was a culmination of wondering, prayer, learning and friendship to get to a day that felt completely ‘right’ in the midst of uncertainties and questions.”
Mackenzie Robinson said he had a real sense of history as he stood before the altar to make his promises.: “The Christian faith is like a great rolling wave that has been moving forward for over 2000 years now, and at our licensing it reached us, and lifted us up… It was a powerful feeling,” he said.
Ruth Morley said she felt grateful for all the people who had trained, prepared and supported her for her new role, while David Harewood said it was a “transformative and privileged experience.”
“So many people at the Sunday morning service the next day were congratulatory, that was humbling,” he added.
The sermon was preached by John Dunster, an LLM from the Sid Valley Mission Community
“Even though we do not usually robe up they all asked if I would as I was taking the morning service!”
There are around XX LLMs serving in Devon’s churches.
The Diocese Warden of Readers, the Venerable Andrew Beane, who oversees licensed lay ministry, said ” I am deeply grateful for all our LLMs, many of whom quietly work behind the scenes, but so often making an incredible difference in the lives of those around them.”
“The Annual Celebration and Licensing Service is a wonderful opportunity for our amazing band of LLMs to gather together as a community and for us as a Diocese to celebrate their enormous contribution to the life and ministry of of our parishes, mission communities and chaplaincies.
“Our LLMs are focal ministers, service takers, study group leaders, wise interpreters, pastoral carers, local encouragers; their deeply-valued ministry is rooted in their local context but informed and enriched by their nationally recognised theological training.
“It was a delight to see our latest cohort complete their training and receive their blue scarf.”
You can find out more about training for Licensed Lay Ministry here.
