Readers are lay people in the Church of England, from all walks of life, who are called by God, theologically trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work.

The office of Reader is the only lay ministry in the Church of England which is voluntary, nationally accredited, episcopally licensed and governed by canon. There are now over 10,000 Readers, with men and women represented almost equally.

The Readers to be welcomed this weekend are:

1. John Cooper (Buxton Team Ministry)
2. Carolyn Szadura (Heath and Holmewood)
3. Bill Day (Derby St Barnabas)
4. Jonathan Tillin (Belper St Peter)
5. Mervyn John (Winshill)
6. Elaine Jones (Gresley)
7. Judith Neal (Loscoe, Morley and Smalley)

There will also be some Readers recently moved to the Diocese who are being re-licensed.

1. Peter Frymann (Quarndon) - moving into the diocese
2. Bruce Ward (Aston on Trent, Elvaston, Weston on Trent, Shardlow) - moving parish within the diocese

Bishop Humphrey said today: "I am really looking forward to the service and to welcoming family, friends and supporters from the parishes to which the Readers will serve. The office of Reader is a very significant one and we are enormously grateful for the ministry which is offered".