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Lay Readers
Click here to register for the Lay Readers' Conference Lay Reader News The Blue Scarf - March 2010 edition Chris Yeomans (February 24th) Diocesan Event The Blue Scarf - March 2010 edition. The quarterly newsletter for diocesan lay readers More... Contact Info of 2010 Lay Reader's Executive (February 24th) find and contact your local rep! More... Clergy, Lay Reader, & Theological Student Discounts Laura Morrison (November 24th, 2008) New Clergy, Lay Reader, & Theological student Discount at The Church Bookroom More... Lay Reader Events Executive Meeting April 10th, 10:00 AM Executive Meeting June 5th, 10:00 AM Lay Reader's Summer School July 6th - 9th Executive Meeting September 11th, 10:00 AM Executive Meeting November 6th, 10:00 AM Annual General Meeting November 20th, 10:00 AM A Lay Reader's Personal Prayer Almighty God, thank you for the honour and joy of being called to your service as a Lay Reader in your church. Renew me with your Spirit, that in worship and in service I may be faithful to your call. Give me enthusiasm to share the task with those you have called to serve in other ways, that together we may proclaim your great salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen INTRODUCTION: Lay Readers are persons who have made a specific commitment to their Bishop, Parish Priest and Churchwardens to use their existing and developed gifts in ministry to the glory of God and for the benefit of the church (people), particularly in the conduct of public worship, giving instruction in the Christian faith, evangelizing, providing pastoral care within their community and other such duties as requested of them. Authority is given by the Bishop in the form of a bishop's license after a probationary period of training. The duties will vary according to Parish needs and Lay Readers must give prayerful consideration on how best to reconcile the concept of their vocation and the whole-hearted cooperation with and support of the Incumbent. Typically Lay Readers perform such functions as reading lessons, administering the chalice, leading the Prayers of the People, sharing leadership in and planning for public worship services, including giving the homily or sermon. When appropriately trained, Lay Readers may be called upon for more extensive ministry such as preparing and conducting services of Morning or Evening Prayer in their own or another parish, taking leadership roles in parish events, committees, training sessions and sacramental preparations or taking the Reserved Sacrament to the sick or shut-ins with a special Episcopal permission. In order to begin as a probationary Lay Reader one is approached by or approaches their parish priest who with the approval of Parish Council then approaches the Bishop. The Bishop usually sends a letter to the new Lay Reader initiating the welcoming process with a copy to the the Warden of Lay Readers. For more detailed information see the Diocesan Lay Reader Training Curriculum. Further to Canons, the executive of the Association consists of the Bishop, as Patron, Warden(s) as appointed by the Bishop, Bishop's Appointees, and two Lay Readers from each Region (Deanery) (elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association). A chairperson, and secretary is selected from the executive. The taking of minutes of meetings currently rotate between the various regions. The Bishop's Executive Secretary keeps a list of all Lay Readers holding the Bishop's Licence and assists, as required, in preparing a list for Synod Journals. An Annual Meeting is held at a date, time and place determined by the executive and a corporate Eucharist is held periodically. All Lay Readers are encouraged to attend. For more information about Diocese of Ontario Lay Readers see the Following: ABOUT THE LAY READER'S ASSOCIATION SOME HISTORY OF DIOCESE OF ONTARIO LAY READERS Canons (Canon B9 Pertains to Lay Readers) OTHER RESOURCES, CONTACTS' ADDRESSES Warden of Lay Readers The Rev. Canon Karen Freake and deputy, The Rev. Brad Beale Chairman of Lay Readers Association Association is Paul Trenhaile with others serving on the executive. Bishop's Secretary and Registrar for Lay Readers, N. Anne Patterson This page and related links were written by Tom Dukes.
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