2016 is the 150 anniversary of the use of Readers in the Church of England. These are lay men and women who assist the ordained clergy with leading services, preaching and other pastoral activities, sometimes including funerals.
St Pauls currently has two Readers, Colin Chettle and Hugh James, and in the recent past also benefited from John Lee and Steve Carter.
As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations a National Day Conference called “Follow 2016” was held at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Saturday 16 July. There were major events in the main auditorium including talks by the Biblical Scholar Paula Gooder speaking about the meaning of discipleship, Mark Russell of the Church Army, speaking about sharing one’s faith and Mark Greene of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity talking about how one’s faith influences one’s work.
Modern Christian worship was led by Pete James.
A lot of hard work had obviously gone into the organisation, and those who attended had the outworking of their faith challenged. It was a very worthwhile 150thyear commemoration.
