Eight people from across the diocese were admitted to the office of Reader on Saturday in Worcester Cathedral. The Bishop of Worcester conducted the service, licensing the individuals to minister in the parishes they have been called to serve.

Readers are trained and licensed lay ministers in the Church of England authorised in particular to exercise a ministry of preaching and teaching. They undergo a two year training course before being admitted to the role, after which they carry out a wide range of tasks within their parishes and beyond, especially helping others to reflect on their faith and how it relates to their daily lives.

Those admitted and licensed were:

• Phil Hall to Holy Trinity, Old Hill
• Mike Hancox to Malvern Link with Cowleigh
• Delia Harding to Abberton, the Flyfords, Nauton Beauchamp and Bishampton with Throckmorton
• Phillip Howell to St. Wulstan in Worcester
• Elaine Major to Hampton with Sedgeberrow and Hinton-on-the-Green, Evesham.
• Catherine McLaren to the Ipsley Team Ministry in Redditch
• Ian Strongman to St. Mary and All Saints in Kidderminster
• Joanna Williams to Pershore with Pinvin, Wick and Birlingham.

Bishop John presided at the service. He said: "Readers are an invaluable asset to the life of the Church. Each person brings unique gifts and skills to ministry in their parishes, working with the ordained clergy to share their faith with others and offer care to the wider community in the name of Jesus. I offer congratulations to all those who were admitted yesterday and thanks to all the Readers who serve faithfully across the diocese."

Phil Hall said: "I feel I am stepping out on a new journey after thinking and praying about it, preparing for it, and getting in training and equipped over the last five years or so. Now the Journey of serving as a Reader begins! I'm thrilled that so many from Old Hill, as others from as far away as Hertfordshire, Wales and Leeds, were able to be at the Cathedral to share in this Big Step of Faith"

Mike Hancox said: "This will be a culmination of a journey that I've been on for the last four years. I'm hoping to use my ministry  to bring comfort and support to the bereaved, dying, elderly and others in need and am looking forward to extending my involvement in the team to serve and to bring God's love to the wider community in the area of Malvern Link. I'd like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement, in particular people in my parish, my family and my vicar, Peter Knight."

Delia Harding said: "The entire experience has been a joy and a revelation. I have learnt so much, and have a hunger to learn so much more. The other Trainee Readers I have studied with have been of huge encouragement, we have shared good times and bad, and I am quite sure we will continue to do so as we share our journeys in the future."

Phillip Howell said: "I was very nervous before the service, but was also looking forward to it. I am excited to be able to start my ministry in the church that I grew up in and be with the people who have supported me throughout my Christian life."

Elaine Major said: "Why me? has been a question that I have asked often over the past three years. The process of being accepted for Reader training certainly helps in understanding your own faith and belief that that is where you should be. The course itself has been an amazing voyage: of new friends, new discoveries, new experiences, study, and lots of laughter. God has been with us and has led us all quietly by the hand to reach this point. I now begin the journey that he has set before me and with his help I will achieve what he wants of me. I am ready and willing."

Catherine McLaren said: "I had completed my Bishop's Certificate and felt that Reader Ministry was the next thing that God was calling me to. The course has been enjoyable, but also hard work and it was good to get formal recognition of everything we've been doing. I have also enjoyed getting to know some new people from across the diocese and hope that we can support one another as we continue our ministry."

Ian Strongman said: "I did not undertake the regular Reader training. Work commitments meant it was impossible for me to commit to one regular night per week and so I began training about six years ago through a Certificate in Christian Studies with St  John's College in Nottingham. I took modules covering the topics included in the regular Reader training and more besides and had two placements with other churches rather than the usual one. It has been a long journey but very worthwhile. I am exceedingly glad to have been able to become a Reader and look forward to playing my part in this important ministry.

Joanna Williams said: "I am excited and very much looking forward to being licensed and following in the footsteps of other Reader Ministers who have who have been great evangelists for the Gospel, one of whom was my grandfather who was and still is very influential - it is a privilege."

The service to celebrate Reader Ministry and the admission and licensing of new Readers took place at 2.30pm on Saturday 11 June in Worcester Cathedral. The preacher at the service was the Dean at the cathedral, the Very Revd Peter Atkinson, who also lead a quiet day for the candidates ahead of their admission.