Saturday (October 14) was a red-letter day for Readers across the diocese.

Readers joined family, friends, clergy and congregation members in a celebration of Reader Ministry and to witness Bishop Chris license seven new Readers.

Nina Batley, Jane Darlington, Becca Greenough, Sally Piper, Sheri Sturgess, Jeffrey Terry and Keith Waters all gained their blue scarf.

Bishop Chris presided but Readers took a full and active part in the service with Margaret DuPlessy as Assisting Minister. Molly Brown read the Old Testament and William Hazelton the New Testament lessons. The intercessions were written and read by Liz Davies and Jane Osborne. The seven newly licensed Readers together with Carrie Tucker, Secretary to Readers, acted as Communion assistants – and not forgetting David Watson who preached a wonderful and thought-provoking sermon concluding: “But it is not too late. To trust him completely with our lives. To hear his voice! So why don’t we do just that? Right now.”

During the service Bishop Chris acknowledged those Readers whose Permission to Officiate Licence (PTO) was renewed before presenting Paul Baker, Geoff Cox, Liz Davies and David Elliot with their first PTO Licences.

All Readers stood and reaffirmed their dedication afresh to the service of Christ, as heralds of his gospel and ministers of his grace.

Trigg Minor and Bodmin Deanery Choir together with the serving team from St Michael the Archangel, Newquay assisted in making the service such a success.

New Reader Nina Batley said: “It was a special day for me and my family.”

Archdeacon of Cornwall, the Ven Bill Stuart-White, said: “It was an excellent service, most affirming of Reader Ministry and encouraging of its valuable place in the life of the diocese.”