It’s never too late…

Published on: 22 August 2022

“Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised," reflects Elizabeth Hargest who was commissioned as an Authorised Worship Assistant (AWA) just last year, “because leading worship is in my DNA.”

Her father was a priest and her grandfather a bishop and she’d wondered in the past about licensed lay or even ordained ministry, but family commitments were always the stronger call. Newly aware of AWA ministry, however, the call came again. More strongly.

A youthful 79, full of energy and enthusiasm, Elizabeth now regularly leads weekday Morning Prayer (pictured) as well as Sunday Services of the Word across the North Walsham benefice. She is part of the Lay Chalice Assistant team, oversees a weekly hour of silent prayer and takes the reserved Sacrament to people in their homes. “That was such a humbling step,” she says, “and part of what I love most about this role – making simple connections between God’s Word and people’s everyday lives.”


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