The Celebration of Lay Ministry is an opportunity to recognize the service of Lay Ministers in your parish or context and offer them support and encouragement in their ministries. This celebration will raise awareness of the role of Lay Ministers and how they contribute to the vibrant life of the parish community, and inspire others to discern how God might be calling them to offer themselves.
We have put together resource material to assist you in making this celebration a special event to give thanks for all those volunteers who serve our parishes, as members of our congregations as well as Affirmed, Commissioned or Licensed Lay Ministers.
Below you will find a list of ideas to get you started. These materials can be used at any time that fits into your parish diary and we encourage your parish to celebrate at some point. This year’s Licensing and Commissioning service is being held on Saturday 11th October ( the week before) so by celebrating Lay Ministry on the following Sunday on the 18th October you can welcome and pray for your new lay ministers.
Members of the Discipleship and Ministry team and Lay Ministers can be available to come to preach. Contact Helen Medland on [email protected] to enquire.
Suggested ideas for the Celebration of Lay Ministry
- Call the Lay Ministers serving in your parish forward for the recommitment pledge and blessing for the work that they do for the Parish and/or Diocese.
- You might consider giving them a small token of appreciation e.g., pin, prayer book marker, etc.
- After the service, host refreshments to continue the celebration in their honour.
- Have a table set up at reception with resource materials on Diocesan Lay Ministry.
- The homily/sermon and intercessions can carry the themes of baptism, ministry, service and relationship to Jesus.
- Consider focussing the homily on Lay Leadership, through their baptismal call to serve, sharing their gifts with the Church Community and encouraging others to follow suit.
- Invite a member of the Discipleship and Ministry Team, or Licensed lay Minister to come to preach and speak about their ministry and wider lay ministry.
- Include intercessions for Lay Ministry in the Prayer of the Faithful.
- Print or have available the newly designed Lay Ministry leaflet for people to pick up as they come into church. (Email [email protected] to request leaflets.)
- Create a display on Lay Ministry for the entrance or coffee area.
