On Sunday afternoon, we celebrated Reader Ministry at Manchester Cathedral. Bishop Matthew Porter admitted ten new Readers and entitled four as Reader Emeritus.
We give thanks for all Licensed Readers and everything they contribute to our diocese.
More of the official photos from the day are available over on our Flickr.
These photos are free for parishes to share as they wish.
Those who were licensed as Readers:
Angela (Angie) Byrne - Turton Moorland Ministry
Alisdair Cole - Blackrod, Daisy Hill, Westhoughton and Wingates
Susan (Sue) Hampson - Radcliffe, St Andrew
Margaret (Maggie) Jackson* - Didsbury, St James and Emmanuel
Gill Morrell - Rossendale
Clare Myring - Old Trafford, St Bride
Susan (Sue) Ransley* - Wythenshawe
Christopher (Max) Robinson - Heywood, St John and St Luke
Valerie Skinner* - Turton Moorland Ministry
Mark Vermes - Didsbury, St James and Emmanuel
*To be licensed both as a new Reader and entitled Reader Emeritus.
Those who were entitled Reader Emeritus:
Christopher (Chris) Martin - Didsbury, St James and Emmanuel
Avril Scott - Gorton and Abbey Hey
Raymond (Ray) Shaw - Didsbury, St James and Emmanuel
Melda Taylor - Cadishead, St Mary the Virgin
What is a Reader?
Readers are lay people trained for ministry and licensed by the bishop to preach and teach, lead worship, and assist in the pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work of the Church in the parish or area where they are licensed. They work in a variety of contexts, including parishes, schools, prisons, hospitals, hospices and more, and are sometimes described as lay theologians.
If you are interested in becoming a Reader or would like to find out more, please visit the Readers section of our website.