Introduction
I have been a Reader in the Church of England since 1979. My wife has been a Reader since 1994. Our diocese recently decided that, while we are all admitted to the office of Reader, the title “Licensed Lay Minister” should be used. Since we are both too old to be licensed we normally just call ourselves lay ministers.
We are both based in the parish church where we have worshipped since getting married over 49 years ago. It has a good congregation and a reputation as a very friendly and welcoming church. The building is Norman altough, like many others, it was extensively refurbished by the Victorians. Two extensions were built in the 1970s and 1980s to provide a hall, meeting rooms, kitchen and toilets. Before Covid-19 these were well-used during the week by both church and community groups.
We used to have eleven services in our church every week, not counting baptisms, weddings and funerals. We are gradually feeling our way to a new normal following the lockdowns. We currently have eight weekly services. At 10:30 on Sunday mornings we hold two services, one a traditional service of either Holy Communion or Morning Prayer and the other “Sunday Special” which is designed for for young families. Every weekday we hold a service of Morning Prayer at 08:30 and at 10:00 on Wednesdays either Morning Prayer or Holy Communion. The traditional service on Sunday mornings is recorded and shown on YouTube later.