Lay Readers

What is a Lay Reader?

The Scottish Episcopal Church describes the ministry of Lay Readers in this way:

Lay Readers preach and teach as lay theologians, and are often involved in pastoral work too. They may take services using the Reserved Sacrament, and also funerals. They work closely in collaboration with their priest to support and develop the life of the congregation. Some have a particular ministerial role in the wider community. Readers are trained to at least Certificate level by Scottish Episcopal Institute.

So what does that mean? Here’s what some Lay Readers have to say about their ministry – in practical, real world terms:

Discover more about this ministry and others in the Scottish Episcopal Church here.

Conferences

Lay Readers in our diocese and throughout the Scottish Episcopal Church create and enjoy collegial relationships and activities. Many are able to meet together in Lay Readers conferences, the latest of which was held at the end of October 2022. See photos and a summary of the event below.

Lay Readers Conference 2022: Lay Readers – a Prophetic Voice?

Summary of the weekend by the Warden of Lay Readers for our Diocese

The cathedral was a hive of activity on the last weekend in October, when Lay Readers from all seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church gathered for their first Provincial Conference in over five years. With such a long gap there was a lot of catching up to be done, so the Chapter House became a place of prolonged refreshment and conversation. Our regular times of prayer were in the choir stalls, and our main teaching in the body of the cathedral, where Bishop Martyn Snow, the Episcopal Champion for Lay Ministry in the Church of England led three sessions on the theme of “Lay Readers – a Prophetic Voice?” In more focussed interactive workshops we discussed funeral ministry, worship for people with complex needs and praying with the psalms.

The ministry of Lay Readers, such as myself, is to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. We are generally licensed to work within one congregation, or group of charges, where we serve as members of the ministry team. Amongst other things, we are authorised to lead worship, preach, provide pastoral care, plan and run study groups, and engage in the work of the wider church within and beyond our local community. Many Lay Readers also serve on diocesan or provincial committees and other groups, exercising the particular gifts they bring to this work. There is a formal process of discernment and training before a Lay Reader can be licensed; details are under “Vocation and Ministry” on the SEC website. This is also where you will find a document with the title “Discernment Process for Lay Readers”, which contains the only formal definition of our ministry available in the public domain.

Bishop Martyn asked us each to draw our own unique “ministry network”, indicating the areas in which we serve and the links between them. This showed us that our “prophetic voice” is heard most clearly in the areas of interconnection between our formal ministry contexts. He encouraged us to think about how people come to understand what the Christian faith looks like, how people learn and grow within it, and where our Lay Reader ministry is most active and effective. He made an interesting distinction between the role of the ordained minister as “gathering people around the communion table” and that of Lay Readers, along with other lay ministers, who “have their feet in other networks”. As part of his presentation we watched a half-hour film, “The Man who Planted Trees”, a narration of a book by Jean Giono, which I heartily recommend – find the film free on Youtube or buy the book.

Our conference came to a close on the Sunday morning when the assembled body of Lay Readers joined with the cathedral congregation in our celebration of the Eucharist before heading for home. All Lay Readers present expressed their gratitude to the Provost and congregation for your generous hospitality, with special thanks going to Provost Hunter for the delicious supper he prepared for us to share on our first evening. This was the first conference to be held in a church setting rather than using a residential conference facility, and your welcoming attitude contributed to its success.

Lis Burke, Diocesan Warden of Lay Readers

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