BISHOP Jonathan has licensed three new Readers in a special service in our cathedral.

The three new lay ministers are Sue Craft, who will serve at Holy Trinity, Fareham; Sam Piggot, who will serve at St Cuthbert, Copnor; and Carolyn Shannon, who will serve at St Francis, Leigh Park. Their new roles will include leading services, preaching and offering pastoral ministry.

Family and friends packed into the cathedral for the Eucharistic service, which also gave other Readers a chance to recommit themselves as lay ministers.

The service began with the three candidates making their declarations in St Thomas Chapel, the oldest part of the cathedral in its east end. They were presented to the bishop by the Rev Neil Smart, our diocese's Lead for Revive. Neil also preached the sermon, drawing on the story of the prophet Jeremiah bringing God's word to the King as a way of explaining the role of Readers as those who bring God's word.

Two trainee Readers, Peter Smith from Crofton parish and Clive Ellam, from Holy Trinity, Fareham, gave the Bible readings while Janet Cllarke, Deputy Warden of Readers, led the Litany of Prayer.