Our new Lay Minister

David reflects on the service ...

A couple of years ago, as her parting gift to me, Leah Vasey-Saunders [who was on the cathedral clergy team and is now Bishop of Doncaster] suggested that I should think seriously about becoming a Lay Reader (now called Licensed Lay Minister) as my teaching career in schools was reaching its end. This was something of a surprise as I had imagined that grandchildren, visiting football and rugby grounds and keeping my garden tidy would be the order of the day. Still God moves in mysterious ways, and though the three activities just mentioned have definitely been part of my post-teaching life (about to visit Harrogate Town as I write this), following the LLM course has become a big part of what I do now.

This led me to St. Catherine’s (conveniently next to Belle Vue!) a couple of Sundays ago, and a moving service where I received my blue scarf and signed the legal documents confirming my new status. I was honoured to be joined on the day by someone whose advice I had sought when thinking about starting the course, the former Head of Maths at Birkdale School in Sheffield where I taught for sixteen years, and himself a Lay Reader of many years. Roger the Dodger, as he signs himself, joined Alison and me for the day, and in due course will be passing on his blue scarf to me when he steps down from formal ministry at Christmas. This idea of continuity was very special to me, and was confirmed less formally on Facebook when I posted a picture from St. Catherine’s. One of my former pupils from the 1980’s remarked that I had been preaching and teaching since I knew him then – something I had not really realised consciously.

It is a humbling thing but so important to be aware that everything we say and do preaches and teaches, not just with the formality of the pulpit and the vestments, but with what we say and do. I am in no way claiming sanctity in this regard (anyone who has heard me at a football match would confirm that!), but showing the love of God in our lives is something to which we can and should aspire. Thank you for your love and prayers at the Cathedral, and please continue them as I embark on the next stage of my life in Christ.