The Cathedral was filled with joy during the annual Called Together Service on Saturday afternoon (7 June) as people came together in prayer and thanksgiving for lay ministers across the diocese.
Every year this service celebrates the incredible variety and contribution of lay ministers in the Diocese of Leicester. It also gives us the opportunity to pray for the new ministers and encourages all of us to consider our own gifts and calling.
During the service, Bishop Martyn licensed three new Associate Ministers - Clare, Eunice and Richard – and relicensed a number of existing Associate Ministers and Readers.
The Cathedral was filled with lay ministers and their families, friends, colleagues, and church communities, as we lifted them up to God in recognition of the work they do in roles such as Pioneers, Pastoral Assistants, Readers, Evangelists and Associate Ministers.
The Called Together service is traditionally held at Pentecost to mark the Holy Spirit appointing the first lay ministers to be sent out.
Those who were licensed received a Bible as their guide to living as disciples of Jesus and made a commitment to continue in lives of prayer and service.
The gifts offered by Associate Ministers are as varied as they are themselves and their ministries may look very different, but they hold a few characteristics in common; they offer spiritual leadership, enable mission and deepen faith in others.
Lay ministers fulfil a huge variety of ministries in our churches and worshipping communities, often unseen or unnoticed, committing their time, service, and love.
They also do incredible work making connections to the church, ministering in places such as prisons, hospices and hospitals, visiting care homes, running Messy Churches and foodbanks, mums and tots’ groups and outdoor church, and living out their faith in their workplaces.
We are hugely grateful for the lay ministers in our diocese and their lives of loving service to the world.
Speaking after the service, Bishop Martyn said: “It was a wonderful occasion of rejoicing in all those who offer lay ministry in our worshipping communities in their various ways, and an encouragement for other people to consider their own vocation and ministry within the church.”
Our new Associate Ministers are:
Clare Gough
I live and worship in the benefice of St Mary’s Anstey and All Saints’ Thurcaston. I have loved getting to know people by being part of the monthly breakfast team at All Saints’ as well as developing the growing community for the All-Age services at St Mary’s. People ask what sort of things I will do as an Associate Minister - I think much will continue the same and other things will develop through God’s prompting and leading. The words of St Clare of Assisi are a daily reminder of how to live life for me: ‘Love God, Serve God; everything is in that’. I work full-time as a specialist tutor at university, supporting students across a range of degree courses. I also complete diagnostic assessments for adults and children with dyslexia. I am married to Matthew and am a very proud mum of three daughters.
Eunice Hayes
I was appointed as the first employed Children's Leader at St Wilfrid's, Kibworth in 2003, which was an utter delight and I still help run children's services. In 2010 I became a Licensed Evangelist. I am now being licensed as an Associate Minister. As we enter discussions towards joining a Minster Community I wish to continue to be involved in the church's mission to young families and children, and also to the wider community in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
Richard Hedley
I live in Harby in the Vale of Belvoir. I am married to Jenny and we have a son who is currently at University in Bristol, Tennessee, USA on a golf scholarship. A lawyer by day (and a Judge since 2012), I have been involved in Church music as a singer almost all of my life (including 20 years at St Luke’s Chelsea in London, which is where I met Jenny). I moved to Harby in 1996 and am currently Musical Director of the Vale Choir, which sings services in a number of different churches in the local area. Although the musical genre at Church is traditional, I also direct the music for our local panto group which involves rather different opportunities! I was authorised as a member of the local lay ministry team back in 2008 and have been leading worship in our local churches since then. I am looking forward to growing my ministry further now.
Associate Ministers moving to new benefices:
Phil Harper to All Saints with Holy Trinity, Loughborough
Trevor Lake to Kibworth with Smeeton Westerby and Saddington Benefice
Anne Scott to Holy Trinity Leicester
Associate Minister Renewals
Susan Essex Syston
Matt Long Diocese of Leicester
Don Peacock Burbage, cum Aston Flamville
David Spencer Barrow & Wolds Group
Reader Renewals
Paul Ainge Ab Kettleby and Holwell with Asfordby
Members of the Lay Ministry Council
Shayne Ardron
Elaine Smith
Shobha Gosa
Fiona Brant
Anne Clow
Mel Rowley
Richard Hedley