On Saturday 20th April, Bishop Libby admitted 11 new people to the office of Licensed Lay Minister (Reader), in a special service at Derby Cathedral.
Licensed Lay Ministers are volunteers who are called and theologically trained to teach, lead, and equip the church for mission.
They are people from a variety of backgrounds, occupations, and contexts who have heard God's call.
LLMs are communicators, story tellers and teachers who can shape the minds, hearts and souls of people and congregations around the good news of Jesus Christ, the story of Scripture and the wisdom of our tradition so that they can live out their calling as disciples in everyday life.
They work collaboratively with clergy as fellow ministers with complementary gifts and callings.
Please hold in your prayers those who were licensed as they begin this new phase in public ministry:
Beth Hawkins to serve in the Benefice of Walkbrook Epiphany.
Diana Houghton to serve in the Benefices of Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop en le Dale.
Steve Johnson to serve in the Benefices of Etwall, Egginton, Dalbury, Sutton-on-the-Hill and Trusley.
Ben Martin to serve in the Benefice of St Alkmund and St Werburgh.
Vickie Melling to serve in the Benefice of Hilton with Marston on Dove, Hatton, Boylestone and Church Broughton.
Liz Runcorn to serve in the Benefice of Derby St Peter and Christ Church with Holy Trinity.
Pete Townsend to serve in the Benefice of Ashover and Handley, and Brackenfield with Wessington.
Ben Wheelhouse to serve in the Benefice of Killamarsh and Renishaw.
Jenny Whittaker to serve in the Benefice of Dronfield with Holmesfield.
Chris Wilkins to serve in the Benefice of Sawley.
Steve Dunning to serve with Permission to Officiate in the Benefice of Hulland, Atlow, Kniveton, Bradley and Hognaston.