On Saturday 28 September two new lay ministers will be admitted and licensed in Salisbury Cathedral by Bishop Karen as Warden of Licensed Lay Ministers, and many more will renew their promises, as they do each year in a service that celebrates this essential ministry.
Our new ministers-in-waiting share some of their journey so far:
Caroline Wehlau will be licensed to the benefice of Lilliput, where she has been serving as a Lay Pastoral Assistant and also Parish Administrator. She writes: ‘God really is full of surprises! I’ve been a member of my current church, The Church of The Holy Angels, in Lilliput for 28 years and involved in many aspects of church life, but when my incumbent, the Revd Louise Ellis, asked if I’d ever thought about exploring becoming a Licensed Lay Minister, I think my initial reaction was that I was too old. Nevertheless, I began the discernment process and a few months later found myself beginning my training at Sarum College. I remember being told by the Dean of Ministry, the Revd Paul Burden, that our training at Sarum College was a gift and indeed it was. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, particularly the tutorials and residential weekends, which gave us the opportunity to meet together with others preparing for ministry, both lay and ordained. Despite often raising more questions than providing answers, the formation process has encouraged me to reflect theologically and to delve deeper into my Christian faith. As I prepare for my licensing, I look forward to the beginning of the next stage of my journey of faith knowing that whilst “nothing will be impossible with God”, nothing is possible without God’s help and strength.
Surprise is also a theme of Barbara Luscombe’s reflection. She is a retired Early Years teacher and lives in West Wiltshire with her husband Steve. They have 2 grown-up sons and 4 grandchildren. Barbara has been a Lay Worship Leader in the Upper Wylye Valley Ministry Team for about 6 years, and is also a Lay Chaplaincy Volunteer at Erlestoke Prison. She has followed a one-year pathway through training, to take into account her existing theological qualifications: Barbara writes: ‘Eighteen months ago, I never thought I would now be licensed as an LLM, but God really is a God of surprises! I have also learnt that God can call us into new paths of service and discipleship, whatever our stage of life. I regard it as a great privilege to lead worship, to preach and teach the Scriptures to enable others to grow in faith and discipleship. I believe that God has called me to this ministry, and I look to him for his guidance and leading, both in prison chaplaincy and the benefice.’
Bishop Karen writes, ‘We rejoice with those who are to be licenced as LLM and welcomed into the diocese this year. As enablers of mission, teachers of faith and leaders in church and society, they have a key role in making Jesus known as part of the mission of the local church. LLMs are important members of the local ministry team and a key part of our diocesan vision, forming partnerships in local mission through their connections with work, community, school and church.’
Lay Ministry Development Officer, Karen Hutchinson, says, “Licensed lay ministers come from a wide diversity of occupations and backgrounds and provide a vital link to the world of work, witnessing to the unchanging love of God in their communities and in their everyday lives. As six more students begin training this September, we continue to work with Sarum College to ensure that all those called to this ministry can enjoy the learning and apply it to their context.
If you have a sense that God might be calling you to licensed lay ministry, or just want to find out more, go to Lay Ministry or contact our Vocations Coordinator louise.ellis@salisbury.anglican.org
