Readers
Welcome to our five new Readers
On Sunday 3 July 2011 at Manchester Cathedral six new Readers were licensed: Doreen Harthan (St Mary, Droylsden), Julie Johnson (St Stephen, Lever Bridge), Bob May (St Andrew, Radcliffe), Stephen Morris (St Michael All Angels, Lawton Moor) Ann Tattersall (St Matthew, Chadderton).
What is a Reader?
Readers are lay men and women from diverse backgrounds who have been authorised by the Church to teach, preach, lead worship and give pastoral care.
This may also include:
- Taking confirmation classes
- Teaching youth and children
- Leading discussion groups
- Preparing couples for marriage
- Visiting the sick
- Conducting funerals.
There are over 200 Readers in the Manchester Diocese. Training lasts three years and is designed to develop theological understanding and practical ministerial skills.
Resources
Download diocesan leaflets on:
Visit the Reader website www.readers.cofe.anglican.org
Visit the Reader Missionary Studentship Association at www.rmsa.org.uk
Click here for the Readers' Digest newsletter.
Reader Conference 2010: Address by Bishop Robert
Reader events
For diocesan Reader events, click here and enter Reader as a keyword.
Some training for ordinands is also relevant for Readers. Training days with (R) in the title are likley to be relevant. Click here for training and formation days.
Reader Chaplains
Each archdeaconry has two chaplains for Readers – one Reader and one ordained – who together with the Warden, Sub-Warden and Deputy Warden, offer a source of pastoral support and advice for Readers in the archdeaconry. Additionally, chaplains interview candidates from the archdeaconry who are offering for Reader ministry and are members of the Reader Ministerial Development Review team.
The archdeaconry chaplains would normally be the first point of contact for Readers seeking pastoral support or advice. This does not preclude direct contact with the Warden, Sub-Warden and Deputy Warden should a Reader have a particular reason for doing so.
Bolton Archdeaconry
Mrs Jane Mann jane.mann13@ntlworld.com 01204 411992
Revd Michelle Thompson michelle.thompson@talktalk.net 01204 845332
Manchester Archdeaconry
Mr Gordon James gordonhj@smartemail.co.uk 0161 248 7142
Revd Bill Raines wraines@btinternet.com 0161 224 1310
Rochdale Archdeaconry
Mr Neil Crane glorianeil@talktalk.net 0161 301 2693
Revd Revd Nick Smeeton nick@smeeton100.freeserve.co.uk 01706 355591
Salford Archdeaconry
Mr Alan Phillips alanphillips476@btinternet.com 01942 677441
Revd Julian Hartley Rev.Hartley@hartley.me.uk 0161 790 2957
Warden of Readers
Revd Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle
Reader Selection
Your first enquiry about Reader ministry should be to your parish priest. At this stage, you may also want to speak to one of your archdeaconry chaplains.
There will be two Reader Selection Days in 2012. 3 March (with a closing date for applications of 31 January) and 9 June (with a closing date for applications of 9 May).
In order to progress the enquiry, parish priests should contact the selection secretary at Church House who will provide the application forms and explain the process from thereon. The selection secretary is Revd Jayne Prestwood jprestwood@manchester.anglican.org 0161 828 1456.
Ministerial Development Review (MDR) for Readers
Click here to download a leaftlet on MDR.
