On Saturday 27 September, all our Lay Workers, Lay Ministers and Readers joined together to renew their ministries, and support those beginning in these ministries, in a joyous celebration in Peterborough Cathedral.
Celebration of Lay Ministry 2025
The service was accompanied by the worship band from St John’s in Corby who played uplifting and spirit filled songs including ‘Bless the Lord, oh my Soul’ and ‘Here is love, vast as the ocean’.
Bishop Debbie licensed our Readers and Lay Workers as well as commissioning our Lay Ministers and our Wardens of Lay Ministry, including those for whom it was the beginning of their ministry. We gave grateful thanks for their service to their parishes and their communities and prayed that God who has given them the will to undertake all these things, give them also the strength to perform them.
During the sermon, Bishop John thanked all our minsters for their service reflecting that today the very act of serving is counter cultural. He urged them to ‘not be squeezed in the world’s mould, but allow yourself to be transformed in body, mind and spirit.’
We are all invited by God to be the best version of who we can be, to serve Him and the wider church. If you would like to find out more about lay ministry consider attending our Explore Day on Saturday 29 November. See www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/explore to find out more.