Six new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) have been commissioned and three existing LLMs welcomed to the Diocese of Norwich at a service celebrating lay ministry across Norfolk and Waveney. Furthermore, thanks were given for long service, with ten people giving a collective 330 years of service to churches in the Diocese.
The celebration was held on Saturday 19 September at Norwich Cathedral.
Phil Bloom, Jim Channel, Tim Francis, Jo Hayward, Toby Perks and Cheryl Lowe were admitted and licensed to serve in the diocese. Three existing LLMs, Margaret Hartley, Celia Donald and Jean Archdeacon, were also formally welcomed to the Diocese of Norwich.
Following a period of theological study, practical formation and discernment, Licensed Lay Ministers are admitted and licensed by the bishop to share in the Church’s ministry through preaching, teaching, pastoral care and leading worship.
Helen Grogutt, an LLM and the Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministry said:
“This service was a wonderful celebration of the ministry of Licensed Lay Ministers across Norfolk and Waveney. We give thanks both for those beginning their ministry and for those marking decades of faithful service. As a largely rural diocese, we are deeply blessed by the dedication of these volunteers, whose preaching, pastoral care, worship and everyday witness make an invaluable contribution to the life, mission and ministry of our churches and communities.”
The ministry is voluntary, and many LLMs combine their ministry with paid employment, family life and other responsibilities, serving alongside ordained clergy and other lay ministers.
The Cathedral service also celebrated the remarkable contribution of Licensed Lay Ministers who have given decades of voluntary ministry to the Church of England in Norfolk and Waveney. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, thanked them for their faithful service.
Among those recognised was Colin Willis, who has given more than 50 years of ministry in Scarrowbeck.
Carol Bennett was thanked for more than 45 years of service in Great Ellingham and Shellrock, while Peter Worby was recognised for more than 40 years of ministry in Swardeston. Tim Harle and Joy Smith were each thanked for 35 years of ministry, serving in Cringleford and Gayton respectively.
Five more people were recognised for 25 years of service:
- Alan Cranshaw, serving in Dersingham, Anmer, Ingoldisthorpe and Sherborne
- Andy Mash, serving in Swaffham and Sporle
- Alison McTaggart, serving in the Flegg Group, Martham
- Kevin Mitchelson, serving in Colegate and Tombland, Norwich
- Pauline Simpson, serving in the United Benefice of St Benedict
Together, these ten people represent more than 330 years of voluntary lay ministry, serving churches and communities across Norfolk and Waveney.
The celebration brought together those at the beginning of their licensed ministry with others who have served for several decades, highlighting the enduring contribution lay people make to the worship, mission and life of parish churches across the Diocese of Norwich.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Licensed Lay Ministry should speak to their local vicar in the first instance and then contact Helen Grogutt, the Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers, at the Diocese of Norwich via email: helen.grogutt@dioceseofnorwich.org
Photos from the day
