Readers
Rejoice! We have six new Readers
On Sunday 12 July 2009 at Manchester Cathedral six new Readers were licensed: Abayomi Akinade (St Edmund, Whalley Range), David Barron (St Clement, Spotland), Margaret Irwin (St Luke, Halliwell), David Kendrick (Astley, Tyldesley & Mosley Common), Susan Nangle (Bacup & Stacksteads Team) and Barry Wild (St Martin, Castleton).
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
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Download diocesan leaflets on:
Download the Reader Work-Training Agreement
Visit the Reader website www.readers.cofe.anglican.org
Click here for the Readers' Digest newsletter.
Reader events
The last Readers trained on the Manchester-based Reader and OLM training course.
For diocesan Reader events, click here and enter Reader as a keyword.
John Bell is coming in 2010
There is to be a major diocesan worship day at Manchester Cathedral on 16 October 2010. This will include John Bell from the Iona community, and a number of different workshops, and hopefully will attract Readers as well as people involved in the musical life of our churches. Planning at an early stage at the moment.
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 0915
Revd Bill Raines wraines@btinternet.com 0161 224 1310
Rochdale Archdeaconry
Mr Neil Crane glorianeil@talktalk.net 0161 301 2693
Revd James Read revjames.read@btinternet.com 0161 652 3090
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 chris@bracegirdles.co.uk 01204 840430
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.
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.
Selection days for those offering for Reader ministry will be held at Church House on 13 February 2010 and 5 June 2010.
Ministerial Development Review (MDR) for Readers
A programme of MDR for Readers will be introduced in early 2010. Further details to follow in a mailing to Readers.
