Three new Readers were licenced in Mytholmroyd last Saturday at a ‘memorable’ service which united Readers from across the Huddersfield Episcopal Area.
On Saturday the 10th October Readers gathered at St Michael’s Church to celebrate the licencing of Paul Buckley from St Thomas’, Greetland; Sheila Hirst from St Augustine’s, Halifax, and Christ Church, Mount Pellon; and Jane Hoyle from the Erringden benefice.
Paul Buckley, one of those being licensed, says, “Saturday was a really memorable day and the weekend was completed when I was welcomed back into my own church as a licensed Reader on the Sunday.
“The only problem was getting used to wearing a surplice which seemed to have a mind of its own!”
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, the Bishop of Huddersfield, took the Service following a Study morning that he led at St John’s, Warley, and before Readers enjoyed a tea organised by St Michael’s and St John the Baptist’s in the Wilderness Churches, to celebrate the licencing.
The Ven Dr Anne Dawtry, Archdeacon of Halifax, comments, “The scrumptious tea provided by St Michael’s, Mytholmroyd, after the Service gave Readers a chance to meet up with friends both old and new from across the Episcopal Area.”
These three new licenced Readers will now be able to preach, teach and lead worship within their own parishes in a pastoral context after having been trained at the Wakefield School of Ministry which meets at Mirfield over the last three years.