This weekend sees the service of celebration for Licensed Lay Ministry on 20 September at Norwich Cathedral at 10.30am.
Seven men and women will be admitted, licensed and welcomed as Licensed Lay Ministers during the services. There will also be a special commissioning, as Helen Grogutt takes up the role of Bishop’s Adviser for LLMs.
Everyone is welcome to come to the service to support, celebrate and encourage the seven people in their roles serving churches and parishes across Norfolk and Waveney.
Please pray for:
- Helen Grogutt, to be commissioned as Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers
Please pray for our incoming Licensed Lay Ministers:
- Rosalind Bingham: To serve in the Waterside Group Benefice in the Deanery of St Benet at Waxham and Tunstead.
- Loretta Freeman: To serve in the Pakefield Benefice in the Deanery of Lothingland.
- Liam Pilgrim: To serve in the Hempnall Team Ministry Benefice in the Deanery of Depwade
- Frances Sanderson-Bates: To serve in the Taverham w Ringland Benefice in the Deanery of Norwich North.
- Lynda Swain: To serve in the Heacham Benefice in the Deanery of Heacham and Rising
- James Watts: To serve in the Great and Little Plumstead, Rackheath with Salhouse and Witton Benefice in the Deanery of Blofield
- Roxanne Rouse: To serve in the Mitre Benefice in the Deanery of Norwich South.
Loretta Freeman has kindly written a few words about why she trained to become an LLM:
“It was thanks to my stepmum wishing to attend Pakefield Church after my father died that I started attending services there. After a while I started helping out and got to know the wonderful community and ministry team . I became an Authorised Worship Assistant in 2020 and had my first experience of leading worship remotely due to Covid. I really enjoyed helping with ministry and felt called to train as a Licensed Lay Minister so that I could widen my theological knowledge and skills for the benefit of others. I work full time so the training and studies have filled almost every spare moment! Training to be an LLM has been transformative and enriched my life not only in the knowledge and experience gained but also introduced me to some amazing people!”
(Main image taken from LLM celebration service 2024. Ben Fiaz and family. Credit: Bill Smith)