[Office of the Archbishop of York] A Celebration of Lay Ministries Service took place Sept. 27 in York Minster to recognize and affirm the ministries of lay people in the Diocese of York.
The Eucharist service celebrated the breadth of lay ministries across the diocese. It included the authorization of Authorized Lay Ministers, the admission and licensing of Licensed Lay Ministers and Licensed Lay Workers, as well as a recognition of those who are taking on other forms of lay ministry. There also was an acknowledgement of the Licensed Lay Ministers who have given long service.
Authorized Lay Ministers are lay people active in church life who have a particular gift, vocation or calling to lay ministry, i.e. those called to work collaboratively alongside their wider ministry teams with a focus on growing, nurturing and serving the wider parish community.
Licensed Lay Ministers are lay people who represent the church in a public, representative and leadership role. Expressed in a wide variety of ways, their ministry is focused in three main areas: teaching the faith, enabling people in mission and being leaders in church and society.
The service also celebrated people who had been commissioned by their parishes as Mustard Seed Community Ministers – people who are leading and serving in mission in the low income communities of the Diocese of York.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell presided at the Eucharist, and the sermon was given by the Rev. Ian McIntosh during his last service as diocesan director of mission and ministry.
David Boddy, who was licensed as an LLM, said, “The formation journey toward becoming an LLM has been an enormously enriching one for my faith and discipleship, deepening my understanding of scripture and theology, and getting to know the diverse traditions of the Church of England from the hugely supportive peers and mentors I’ve encountered. I’m looking forward to continuing on this journey, sharing the Gospel and taking part in God’s mission for the church in my home parish and at work.”
Emma Peers, also licensed as an LLM, said, “The past year has been one of learning, but also of listening – tuning in to the still small voice and the nudges, discerning where God is calling me to serve.
“I am eager to serve God in new and creative ways, supporting existing initiatives, building on past experiences, and exploring new ministry opportunities among a new and evolving team. I am learning to trust God’s timing and seasons, and I look forward to this next chapter, continuing to listen closely for his guidance in directing my steps for the growth of his kingdom. My prayer remains: that God will take me, shape me and make me his own in ministry.”
Lynn Comer, warden of lay ministry for the Diocese of York, said, “I’m so glad we’re able to celebrate the huge variety of lay ministry we have in our diocese, and it’s wonderful to see so many people saying ‘yes’ to God’s calling on their lives. Our lay ministers play an essential role in the life of the church, so it’s great to have this opportunity to recognize their skills, gifts and commitment to serving their communities.”
The service also recognized five people for their long service as readers: Clive Jackson, 65 years; Les Bingham and Michael Sargent, 40 years; and Jean Faulkes and Jane Shaw, 25 years.