Celebrating 150 years of Reader ministry

Readers play an important part in the life and ministry of the Church of England.  You can recognise them by the blue scarves they wear during public worship.  Readers are lay people, called by God, who are trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.  Their ministry is voluntary, nationally accredited, licensed by their local Bishop and governed by the Canon Law of the Church.  There are over 10,000 Readers nationally.

2016 is the 150th anniversary of the revival of Reader ministry in the Church of England.  Reader ministry in some form dates back to the Apostolic Church, but the office of ‘Reader’ was re-established at Lambeth Palace on Ascension Day 1866.  The revival was prompted by the Church’s inability to cater for the rapidly growing population and the population’s increasing concentration in cities.

In Attleborough and Besthorpe we have been blessed with strong Reader ministry.  Our Bishop is inviting the whole Diocese to come together at the Cathedral on Saturday 3 September for a Eucharist celebrating the work and ministry of Readers.  The service begins at 10.30am.  The Bishop of Sodor and Man will be preaching and we’re very proud that the Choir of St Mary’s will be singing for the service.  Picnic lunches may be eaten in the cloister afterwards.