On Saturday 9th October Bishop Mark admitted and licensed twelve lay people at Chester Cathedral. There were nine Readers (Helen Byrne, Elizabeth Cooper-Clark, Simon Eardley, Stephen Eccleston, Alison Hunter Johnston, Lindsay Lawrence, Richard Lewis, Graham Morris and Edward Newman), one Pastoral Worker (Jane Fisher) and two Lay Pioneers (Caroline Bishop and Alice Price).
Seven readers and one pastoral worker were also there so that their licences could be transferred to new parishes, and eighteen readers and four pastoral workers became emeritus.
The day began with a rehearsal, led by Canon Jeremy who is the cathedral’s precentor. This was followed by a service of Holy Communion at which Bishop Sam presided after which there was lunch at the Bishop’s House. It was then back to the cathedral for the candidates to make their declarations before the bishop before the service itself where Bishop Julie preached the sermon. It was good to see the cathedral so full with those who had come to support the candidates including a number of licensed Pastoral Workers and Readers. The day ended with a reception in Bishop’s House for those becoming emeritus where they were presented with their PTO certificates by Bishop Mark.
It was a really super day of celebration. We give thanks for all those who have answered God’s call to a licensed lay ministry and we pray for God’s richest blessings on all of them as they minister in His name and to His glory.