A celebration of Licensed Lay Ministries took place at Truro Cathedral in October.

Those present celebrated the life, witness, and service of our Readers and Pioneers and expressed gratitude to God for their ministry among us.

The service saw The Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, admit and license five new Readers (also known as Licensed Lay Ministers LLMs): Gillian and Julian Barritt who will serve in Maker with Rame, Millbrook, St John and Torpoint; Janet Fisher who will serve in the Camelside Benefice; Norman Mallard who will serve in the Benefice of Trelawney, and Anthony White who will serve in Probus.

Two others, Jeff Moon who will serve in Maker with Rame, Millbrook, St John and Torpoint, and Janis Windslade, who will serve in the Falmouth Benefice, were re-licensed. There was also a warm welcome given to Caroline Bailey who has moved into the diocese and will serve in the Bodmin Team Benefice.

The service also noted the remarkable contribution of a number of Readers who have served for many years.

Geoff Cox, Kathryn Hill, Ann Kerridge and Denise Pascoe were all recognised for their 20 years of service. Don McQuillen-Wright, Philip Tremain and Diana Piper were highlighted for giving 25 years. Graham Downes was congratulated for achieving 30 years and amazingly, Chris Tylor was thanked for giving 60 years of service!

There was also a first for the diocese with Bishop Hugh licensing Lindsey Morgan-Lundie as a Pioneer Licensed Lay Minister (PLLM). See Lindsey’s story here.

Readers and Pioneers are called to serve the Church of God and to work together with clergy and other ministers. Readers (LLMs) are called to be community theologians who teach, preach, and enable everyday faith. By this we mean that Readers are ministers who are deeply rooted in the teaching of Scripture and the traditions of the church, and who can communicate these truths in ways that support people in their church and community to live as disciples in their ordinary everyday lives. Pioneers (PLLMs) similarly are deeply rooted in Scripture, and through gifts of creativity and imagination their ministry helps the church beyond the walls, following the Holy Spirit, joining in with God’s mission in community life, looking outwards, creating stepping stones for people to find ways to begin their journey of faith in Christ.