Easter 2016
Lay Ministry Matters
The Church of England calendar sees Easter as a season, rather than the weekend that is now over, so this mailing comes to you after the busy-ness and build – up of Holy Week and Easter Day, and I hope you will find time to read it.
Last week many of you will have been involved in the extra events in your parishes, and in a Holy Week where the rush hour in Brussels brought such terrible violence, the reality of God entering our suffering even to the cross, was a timely reality for us to ponder, and to proclaim the hope of the Resurrection.
Myaim of sending these mailings periodically is to keep you informed, encouraged and inspired by what is happening in the Diocese. There are also dates to note, and important issues such as safeguarding to be aware of. (I know that features in every newsletter, but it is important – please do read the page).
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every church in England to join a week of prayer this Pentecost, from 8-15th May —let’s pray for every Christian to receive new confidence and joy in sharing this life-transforming faith.
If you haven’t yet done so – check out the website for this The Diocese of Rochester features in the resources – a film of Matthew Buchan talking about prayer events in his parish of Leybourne, and deanery of Malling. There are a range of prayer ideas on the website, including elements of the prayer pack which Susanne Carlsson and her network have put together.
Has your church got plans for this yet? All clergy had a letter from the Archbishops, but they might have been waiting to think about it after Holy Week and Easter Sunday.As Bishop James reminded those of us at the Residential in January – it is prayer which is the key to our ministry.
The time between Christmas and Easter has been about as short as possiblethis year, but they have been an eventful three months. At the end of January a mixed group of Lay Ministers spent a weekend together at the Emmaus Centre. The theme of the weekend was “Running with perseverance the race marked out before us” and our speakers on the Saturday were Andy and Margaret Wooding Jones – described by someone afterwards as “thought provoking, and challenging, but at the same time very affirming”. Bishop James joined us for Saturday evening, and updated us on both national and diocesan issues which are current.
I was encouraged by the weekend in many ways – and was pleased to read Roger Laing’s blog “evangelistcryinginthewilderness”in which he wrote:
Now the weekend in many ways was a celebration, because it was the first residential weekend that was open to all authorised lay ministry members collectively, be they either Pastoral Assistants (PA’s), Evangelists, Readers or the newly created Licenced Lay Ministers (LLM’s). And so I was very proud to be part of that change to the training ethos, and look forward to the diocese building on those changes in the future, so that we can all work more closely together to further God’s kingdom.
Three of the first cohort of Licensed Lay Ministers (licensed last May) were with us for the weekend, and it was encouraging to hear from them how their ministries are developing, in different ways for each of them, as they respond to their callings in their particular circumstances.
This May we have twice as many LLMs being licensed, as the number will be increased by PAs, Evangelists and Readers who have applied to transfer. Twenty five prospective LLMswere at Ashburnham at the end of February, and each of them had a one to one meeting with Bishop James to discern the direction their ministry is taking. Please do pray for them as they are licensed on 21st May in the Cathedral and as they continue their training, and exercise their ministries in a whole range of different contexts.
Vocation! Vocation! Vocation!
I hope you will be aware of the Vocations Day – “Called to be - Exploring the breadth of calling and vocation” on 23rd April at St Andrew’s Paddock Wood. The speakers are Canon Jean Kerr and Bishop James. There will be workshops on young vocations, women in ministry, licensed lay ministry, vocation and minority ethnic groups, mission, community engagement, healing and wholeness, spirituality, ordination, music and ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and working with children and young people.
One of our callings as Lay Ministers is to encourage other lay people into ministry, and here is a great opportunity for people in your parish to begin to consider how they might serve God. It might also be an opportunity for you, as an established Lay Minister, to explore whether God is calling you into new areas of ministry.
Last year we opened up the possibility of training for funeral ministry to Pastoral Assistants and Evangelists – provided the lay minister concerned has the backing of their incumbents.
Elaine Almond (PA at Borough Green) and Ann Critchley (Evangelist at Rainham) joined the group of trainee LLMs and licensed Readers who signed up for the bereavement and funeral ministry module of the new course.
Both Ann and Elaine are now authorised by Bishop James to conduct funerals, and I asked them how their first few months of exercising this ministry had been:
"When my Vicar initially suggested I join the funeral ministry I was very reluctant. But it was Alison Callway who said to me that as Christians our faith should be strongest at the point of death, and that's true. Leading a funeral service is an enormous privilege. I usually do 2 a month depending on the workload. It is an opportunity to be a strong voice, a warm smile and a comforting hug to those who have had little or no experience of church people. Prayer is vital. I pray for the bereaved,the funeral directors and the crematorium staff.I have met some lovely people through this work and have been asked 2 theological questions which I was able to answer!" Ann
“Whilst I undertookfuneral trainingas part of LLM training, I had thought for some time that I would like to be involved as the PAin the parish who looks after end of life needs (along with incumbent and others of course!). The training was really comprehensive as it entails bringing all one's pastoral skills together with leading worship and speaking in a public context - so challenging, but a great privilege to be with people at this time of need, sorrow and often questioning -people who would not necessarily come to church or who I would not meet any other way. I am currently taking about one funeral a month, but from April when our vicar retires I think thismay increase! Numbers go in waves... I do it gladly and pray to be of support and make the most of this God-given opportunity to share God's loving concern.” Elaine
If you think that you might be called to funeral ministry in addition to your current role as a Lay Minister, the first thing to do is to talk to your vicar.
If he/she agrees, you need to register for the “Bereavement and Funeral Ministry” module. This will next happen in the Autumn.
The training is held on 2 Saturdays and a couple of weekday evenings – exact dates to be confirmed. Please contact (or phone 01634 560000) if you would like to know more or to register an interest.
The modular design of the Lay Training course means that there is the possibility of experienced Lay Ministers taking other modules for CMD. The Healing and Wholeness module takes place this May and June, and there is a small number of places available. The aim of the course is to cover the practical and theological aspects of developing the Christian healing ministry within the church and wider community.
Also in June and July this year we are offering some places on the “Nurturing Faith in Children” module. The module will cover topics including:
- biblical theology of children and the church
- the nature of contemporary childhood
- children’s spirituality
- child development and faith development
- learning styles and programme planning
- pastoral issues in children’s work
- engaging with children and their families outside the church
- belonging, participation and discipleship of children within churches and other community groups.
Joining either of these courses include completing the work set for the module – writing the assignments required. Val Butler has details of both for anyone interested.
This year’s CMD Inspiration Day Conference is on 9th July at Christ Church Orpington. The day is on Hearing God’s Voice (in the midst of turmoil), and the speaker is Elaine Storkey.
In addition to Elaine’s input, there will be workshops and displays by some of the local Retreat Centres. One of the recurring themes from LMDRs has been that many Lay Ministers are aware that they would benefit from a Retreat – this is an opportunity to put that outcome into action.
Don’t forget that we have the offer of a £50 grant for CMD – available if you want to book a specific course or event which has to be paid for. If the cost of a Retreat is hindering you, please contact me because the grant could help fund a Retreat for you. When the money has gone, that will be it until next year, but equally if nobody claims any this year it might not be put into the budget at all for next year, so please ask.
On Saturday 23rd April at St Matthew’s Wigmore (ME8 0NX), Bishop Dominic Walker (Retired Bishop of Monmouth) is leading a Julian teaching day on Contemplative prayer, from 10am – 4pm. The cost of this day is £10 including drinks (please bring your own lunch). To book for this day please send a cheque for £10 (payable to Ann Echlin) and a SAE to Michael and Ann Echlin, 10 King Street, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6QT For more information please contact on 01732 845550.
On 21 May, Paula Pearce, a lay Franciscan, is leading a day - 10.00-3pm -at the Hospice in the Weald Maidstone Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4TA.
The day will be a study day on Franciscan Spirituality with time to reflect, including:
• The beginnings of the Franciscan movement.
• Certain characteristics of the Franciscan charism.
• Aspects of Franciscan spirituality especially relevant today.
To book contact Rev Susanne Carlsson, , 07795167603. (Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided.)
Lay Ministry Day
Please make a note of October 8th in your diary, when we have a day for all Lay Ministers at St Andrew’s Paddock Wood. Bishop James will be with us that day and we will be thinking about how our ministries can extend beyond the church community –whether formally in chaplaincies, or informally as we live our lives at work and in the community. More details about the day will follow later in the year.
On the move
Sometimes God calls us to new places, and this offers all sorts of new opportunities to serve him. Iain Ambler, pictured in the centre of the photo here, moved from Bromley to Rochester last year, following his appointment as Diocesan Office IT Manager. Iain had attended St John’s Bromley all his life, but he was keen to join a church where he could most usefully serve God, and following discussions with Vic Twine, one of the Deputy Wardens of Rochester Archdeaconry, and Sharon Copestake, vicar of St Francis Strood, I was pleased to be able to present Iain for relicensing by Jean Kerr (on behalf of Bishop James) on Palm Sunday.
Later that day Iain reflected:
“Leaving the church family you've been a part of since before you were born is a hard thing to do. All of the lovely people at St. John's Bromley are incredibly missed: many of you have become my extended family. I wasn't sure where I would end up worshipping and serving in Medway and I thank God that his answer to my prayer of "Here I am; send me" was to call me to St. Francis, Strood. The Ambler Family already feel well and truly part of the Church Family at St. Francis, and following my licensing as Reader this morning I look forward to sharing a journey with Christ Jesus alongsideSharon CopestakeandGill Martin.”
Several Lay Ministers moved out of the Diocese at the end of last year – Peter Brookes (formerly a PA at Paddock Wood) is now settled in Northiam, Audrey Bernardi (formerly a PA at Riverhead) moved to Horsham some time ago, although she is still a Lay Chaplain at the Cathedral, and Sarah Hassall (Reader in South Chatham) is now in Eastbourne.
This weekend we welcomed Shirley Rogers to Hoo St Werburgh where Bishop James re-licensed her as a Reader. Shirley began her ministry in Worcester Diocese, and has come to Rochester via Southwell and Kenya.
Rochester Archdeaconry
All Lay Ministers in Rochester Archdeaconry should be aware of the Celebration of Lay Ministry at St Justus, Rochester on 14th May. Our keynote speaker is Brian Draper, lunch is provided (but MUST be booked – please contact Tricia if you haven’t done so yet), and in the afternoon Simon Burton Jones will lead us in worship together, and we will have the opportunity to re-commit ourselves to serving God in our various ways.
Several people have asked if family or friends can come. They are welcome to join us for the service at 2pm, but I’m sorry we can’t extend that welcome to lunch.
PTO & PTM
Thanks to all of you who have returned your applications to have permission renewed. All Lay Ministers in Rochester Archdeaconry have been invited to the Archdeaconry Celebration of Lay Ministry at St Justus, Rochester on 14th May. (If you haven’t yet contacted Tricia to tell her whether you can attend – please do that asap)
Lay Ministers over the age of 70 in Tonbridge and Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconries also need their Permissions renewing, and in due course you will be invited to afternoon teas in where your Archdeacons will thank you for your continuing ministry. For your diaries – these will be on 8th June in Hildenborough for those in Tonbridge Archdeaconry, and 15th June at Christ Church Chislehurst for Bromley and Bexley Archdeaconry.
This is very important...
.. especially important if you always skip the sections of this letter which refer to safeguarding, and I know that some of you do that, because otherwise I wouldn’t receive emails saying “I didn’t know I had to do this....”
February’s General Synod amended canon law, and this might affect YOU. If you have read the sections about safeguarding training in previous newsletters, or emails from Tricia, you will know that we have been telling you that all active Lay Ministers are required to undertake safeguarding training and there are 2 courses, and both have to be done.
The “Five Diocesan Policies” course has been running since 2012, and should be repeated every 5 years, so if you have done this course at all, you are not required to repeat it yet. The CCPAS “Facing the Unthinkable” course needs to be repeated every 3 years. That comes around very frequently and some of you have been surprised that your training is out of date because it doesn’t feel like more than 3 years!
Nevertheless, the consequence of the decision at February’s synod is that Bishop James will NOT renew licences, authorisations, commissions or permissions if you are not up to date with safeguarding. BUT for those of you whose renewals are due this May, if your training is incomplete, you will be given a 1 year renewal on the basis that you complete the training you need in that year. If you do, your licence, authorisation, or commission will be extended to 5 years (for those under 70)or if you are ministering with permission your permission will be extended to the full 3 years. If you do not attend the required training in the year given you will cease to be an authorised Lay Minister.
There are extra sessions of both safeguarding courses being provided this year.
The Five Diocesan Policies training is available on:
Saturday 2nd July 9.30am – 12.30pm at Christ Church, Chislehurst
Saturday 21st May 9.30am – 12.30pm at Hextable, St Peter
Tuesday 4th October 9.30am – 12.30pm at Diocesan Office, Rochester
Saturday 19th Nov 9.30am – 12.30pm at Rochester St Justus
There are 3 extra CCPAS training sessions:
These will be on:
Thursday 9th June 9am-1pm – St Barnabas, Istead Rise.
Wednesday 19th October 9am-1pm –Diocesan Office
Thursday 1st December 9am-1pm – St Barnabas Istead Rise.
To book any of these sessions please contact Jill Oxland at the Diocesan Office on 01634 560000 or email Jill at
If you want to check when you last did the training please contact Tricia Cliffe.