Pictured with Bishop Chris (from left) are: Margaret Sylvester-Thorne (St Germans), Roy Holmes (St Breoke & Egloshayle in Wadebridge), Denise Turner (Illogan), Margaret DuPlessy (Redruth), Marcus Jones (St Budock) and Steven Brown (Illogan).

 

Supported by a large congregation of family and friends, six new Readers were admitted and licensed by Bishop Chris in Truro Cathedral on Saturday 5 October.

In his sermon, based on Luke 17.10-24, Bishop Chris reflected on the fact that Jesus chose to share his work with others during the second half of his ministry. He pointed out that the same applies to everyone engaged in Christian ministry today. “We are trusted with God’s work,” he said.

He pointed out to the new Readers that their licensing was “a beginning and not the destination”; and that he had been surprised, through his own experience, how God weaves all our past into our present. “In his ‘economy’, nothing is wasted. All that we have and all that we are, God will use,” he added.

“Thank you for responding to God’s call, by giving yourselves to Reader ministry. You are ‘champions’ of collaboration in parish ministry. We as a diocese need you and are delighted you serve us.”

Closing his sermon, Bishop Chris referred back to the returning 70 disciples mentioned in St Luke’s Gospel. He said they were clearly excited and surprised at their achievements − small things but significant victories in Jesus’ eyes.

“Rejoice in the sight of who you are in the eyes of God,” he said. “All Jesus’ ministry grew from the knowledge of who he was. May that characterise all our ministries. We are sons and daughters of the Living God, called to serve as the people of God.”

 

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