This weekend, family, friends and supporting clergy gathered for a service at Manchester Cathedral to celebrate the authorisation and commissioning of Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs). Over 70 ALMs were commissioned at the service led by Bishop David; 36 newly authorised ALMs and 35 reauthorised ALMs, including a number marking their 10th year anniversary as ALMs!
Authorised Lay Ministers are lay people who take an active role in church life, and have a particular gift, vocation or calling to lay leadership. They take part in a training programme, coordinated by Jamie Mackenzie, Local Ministry Officer, and are authorised by the Bishop of Manchester to carry out a mutually agreed ministry role back within their local parish context. An ALMs authorisation lasts for three years after which time it can be reviewed, updated and renewed.
The Rt Revd Dr Matthew Porter, Bishop of Bolton, preached at the service and it was great to see so many in attendance with some fantastic pictures being taken after the service on the Cathedral lawns.
If you like to know more about becoming an ALM and find out about next year’s courses, please see: https://www.manchester.anglican.org/development-and-training/alm/
More photos are available here ALM Authorisation Service | Flickr