WHAT IS A READER The office of Reader

WHAT IS A READER?

The office of Reader • Voluntary • Nationally accredited • Episcopally licensed and governed by Canon • Over 10, 000 Readers in Anglican Churchmen and women numerically equal • Lay people

Training of Readers • • Nationally authorised ……BUT Organised on a Diocesan Level Moderation Continual Ministry Development (CMD)for Licensed Readers

HISTORY OF READER MINISTRY • Biblical root of Reader ministry is traced to Jesus’ reading in the Synagogue- Luke chapter 4. • People reading in Christian worship. Colossians 4 : 16; Revelation 1: 3.

The early Christians take up the mantle. • Justin Martyr-c. 100 -165 AD-”Lectors” • Tertullian-200 AD-”Lectors of Established Church Ministry” • Evidence from c. 200 AD-400 AD of unordained worship leaders in Asia/Europe leading worship, burying the dead, -BUT NOT PREACHING

The Elizabethan Era(c. 1570) • Matthew Parker-Archbishop of Canterbury created office of Reader in Church of England • Duties: Reading Morning and Evening Prayer from Cranmer’s 1549 BCP in clergy -less parishes • short term measure

Victorian Era-Why was Reader Ministry re-introduced? ? • Grave shortage of clergy • Population explosion

Victorian Era-How was Reader ministry re-introduced • 1850 s-Convocations of Canterbury • The Select Committee of Bishops and Clergy on Reader Ministry for MEN • Reader Ministry to be under Canon Law regulation………. . led to …………………. .

1866 -READER MINISTRY IS REINTRODUCED • Read Lessons at 1662 BCP Morning and Evening Prayer at the Chancel Step • Say BCP The Litany at the Chancel Step • Teaching and pastoral work • Preach in pubs, clubs and meetings outside church • Wear a Readers Medal

1884 Regulations of Canon Law • Readers permitted to read Morning and Evening Prayer, except the Absolution, at the Chancel Step.

THE TWO TIER READER MINISTRY • 1882 CANTERBURY CONVOCATION – suggested that there should be : • Lower Class Assistant Parochial Readers • Upper Class Diocesan Readers………. . • Principles adopted under 1904 Canon Law Regulations • 1941 -ALL Readers licensed to both Diocese and Parish

1904 Regulations of Canon Law • Two tier Reader System introduced • Allowed to preach in consecrated buildings at the Chancel Step for BCP Morning and Evening Prayer but NOT at Holy Communion

1941 Regulations of Canon Law • Two tier System abolished-All Readers licensed to Diocese and Parish • Readers allowed to preach in a pulpit-but NOT at Holy Communion • Readers allowed to wear robes

1969 Regulations of Canon Law • WOMEN ALLOWED TO BECOME READERS • Allowed to preach at Holy Communion • Readers Blue Scarf introduced to wear with/instead of Readers Medal

1979 Regulations of Canon Law • Allowed to conduct Funerals and Cremations • Allowed to conduct the Churching of Women

1988 Regulations of Canon Law • Readers permitted to administer the consecrated elements of Holy Communion without any further authorisation of the Bishop being regularly sought.

2008 Reader Upbeat • General Synod Report currently being debated • Every Reader in England being asked their opinions in their ministry, both good and bad ( Sheffield –Questionnaires) –what is the future? • Recognising that Reader ministry varies widely from Reader to Reader, Parish to Parish, Diocese to Diocese • Eg Who robes? ? What is Reader Ministry?

2008 Reader Upbeat (contd) • Thirty Recommendations in report including : • allowing Readers to Baptise • Giving Readers authority to look after some churches • Re-naming Readers “Local Lay Ministers” • Recognising Unique Role of Readers • Still being debated at Diocesan/National Level in 2015

READERS TODAY-THE ROLE OF THE READER • A member of parish staff team expected to fully share in the life of the parish • Where staff meetings form part of church life , Readers should be included and involved.

READERS TODAY-DUTIES OF A READER • Canon E 4 states the role of the Reader can include : • Pastoral visiting • Preaching • Preparation of candidates for Baptism and Confirmation

READERS TODAY-DUTIES OF A READERS (continued) • Leading worship • Assisting in the administration of the Sacraments at Holy Communion • Taking Holy Communion to the sick • Conducting funerals and cremations • All the above and other pastoral duties at Incumbents wish

READERS TODAY-CONTINUAL MINISTERAL DEVELOPMENT • VITAL • Conducted at a Diocesan and Parochial level • Readers Website: • www. readers. cofe. anglican. org/

READERS TODAY-CONDITIONS OF SERVICE • • • Bishops Regulations for Readers(Canons) Ministry Agreements Records of Service Episcopal Reviews Outside engagements

READERS TODAY-CONDITIONS OF SERVICE(continued) • • Membership of PCC Robing Diocesan Readers Executive/Website Central Readers Council/The Reader Magazine

BEING ADMITTED AND LICENSED. • Declaration of Assent and Presentation of New Testament • Admittance of a Reader (Canon E 5). • Licence of Reader. • Oath of Canonical Obedience to The Bishop and Minister of Cure

READERS IN 2015 • • • Reader Ministry influenced NATIONALLY by: -Central Readers Council The Reader Magazine Central Readers AGM Bi Annual Conference National events eg Ordination of Women Bishops ? ? • New Badge/Emblem introduced

• READERS IN 2015 CONTD READERS IN 2013 CONTD • Diocesan Reader Ministry is changing. . • -EACH Diocese is becoming more independent of it’s neighbours in it’s ministry AND differing programmes following Reader Upbeat • Eg Are we Readers( Sheffield) or • Local Lay Ministers ( Oxford) ? ? ? • Ways of responding to Reader Upbeat

SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN READERS-2015 • Following Bishop of Sheffield’s “Strategy for Sustainable Ministry 2012 presentation • -suggested that parishes form local clustersincluding sharing Readers in the clusters/being licensed to a cluster rather than a parish • Aim for younger Reader base ( Bishop of Sheffield’s Key Note talk at 2012 Diocesan Readers AGM) by encouraging young people in our churches to look at Reader ministry

SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN READERS 2015 • • Readers Website Diocese of Argentina Readers link with Sheffield Diocesan Readers 175 Celebrations 2016

ANY QUESTIONS? ? ?