Two Future Workshops for Readers and Readers-in-Training

The Director of Training, the Revd Ulla Monberg, has written to Readers and Readers-in-Training in the diocese to announce two workshops to be held in the near future.

Workshop on Preaching: This will be held from 4 pm on 18 November 2009 until after lunch on 20 November at St Columba’s House, Woking, Surrey, England. The speakers include the Revd Canon Mark Oakley, formerly the Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe, and myself. The cost will be in the region of £150. The workshop will cover various aspects of the craft of preaching and is open to all who presently exercise the ministry of Reader or who are in training for that ministry. Space for this workshop is limited to 24 people. St Columba's House is a short taxi ride or 20 minute walk from Woking railway station. There are good links from Heathrow and Gatwick airports to Woking.

Workshop on Funeral Liturgy and Bereavement Ministry: This will be held from 4pm on 24 February 2010 until after lunch on 26 February at the Casa Diocesana de Espiritualidad, Málaga, Spain. The speakers will include the Revd Peter Moger, the Church of England's National Worship Development Officer, and the Revd Canon Hugh Broad, Priest-in-Charge of Costa Almería / Costa Cálida and Area Dean of Gibraltar. The cost will be in the region of 110 Euros. The workshop is for Readers who conduct funerals or Readers-in-Training who may do so in future. The Casa Diocesana is a short ride from Málaga airport.

Licensed Readers are able to apply for financial support from the funds held for Continuing Ministerial Development. Readers-in-Training are encouraged to approach their parish clergy to see whether funding support can be arranged locally. A registration form has been sent to Readers and Readers-in-Training, and is also available from the Ministry Team Administrator Margaret Jeffery. Margaret's e-mail: margaret.jeffery@europe.c-of-e.org.uk.

Readers are lay ministers of the Church of England. They are theologically trained, and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work. The period of training is usually 3 years. The numbers of Readers is growing fast in the Diocese in Europe. The Director of Training reports that about 40 men and women are presently in training. They come from all parts of the diocese, particularly Spain, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Gibraltar, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. (Frank Megginson from St Paul's Monaco, pictured here, was licensed as a Reader last November). There are already over 100 licensed Readers serving across Europe. This is an increase of 50% in the last five years. The Church of England Readers' website is here.

These two workshops for Readers and Readers-in-Training are sure to be popular events. I encourage any interested persons to register soon!