Joyful service of licensing and celebration at Gloucester Cathedral

On Saturday, Gloucester Cathedral hosted a joyful service of thanksgiving and dedication where 200 people gathered to witness the admission of two new Readers and to license a third Reader along with the licensing of seven Lay Funeral Ministers.

Two new Readers were admitted and licensed and one licensed to serve locally.

Elizabeth Emberson was licensed to the South Cotswold Team Ministry, serving in Kempsford with Whelford

Karen Czapiewski was licensed to the Kemble, Poole Keynes, Somerford Keynes with Shorncote, Coates, Rodmarton and Sapperton with Frampton Mansell Benefice, service in Kemble.
Alison Reynolds came to us from another diocese and was licensed to serve in Barnwood.

Readers often lead worship and can be easily identified by the blue scarf they wear. They also preach and teach; in fact the name ‘Reader’ is a reminder of their core calling: to speak aloud God’s Word in the community. Some have particular roles and gifts for serving in the wider community; some in schools, in work-place chaplaincy or as pastoral visitors. Some are specially trained to take funerals and in caring for the bereaved. Others are in pioneer roles, seeking to bring the Gospel to people beyond the familiar boundaries of the Church.

All the people who were licensed to serve across the Diocese of Gloucester as Licensed Funeral Ministers had an area that they would particularly serve, listed below.

Philip Bowlder, St Catharine, Gloucester
Shelley Everall Hoban, Alderton, Great Washbourne, Wormington and Dumbleton.
Nicholette Flatman, Tidenham with Beachley and Laucaut
Richard Leatherdale, Longlevens
Michele Maund, Tetbury
Anne Price, Parkend and Viney Hill
Sandie Reeves, St James and All Saints and Christchurch, Gloucester.

These seven newly licensed funeral ministers are now qualified to lead funerals and offer bereavement care. The candidates completed their training through the Funeral Project, which consisted of 11 training sessions about leading funeral services and offering pastoral and bereavement care.

Nick Partridge, interim warden of Readers and Diocese of Gloucester funerals lead, said: “It was a wonderful day, demonstrating the importance of licensed Lay Ministry.

“Bishop Robert spoke at the service, saying that Lay Ministry is crucial to the diocese, and will continue to be over the coming years.”