Readers may also be known as Licensed Lay Ministers. Different dioceses prefer different terms, you can find out more about all kinds of lay ministry here. We will be using the term LLM (Readers) throughout these pages.
If you feel a call to LLM (Reader ministry) within the Diocese of Coventry you will find information about the process here. Do also look at the LLM (Reader) Handbook.
Very briefly, it starts with a conversation with your incumbent (or churchwarden in vacancy) who will recommend you to the Diocesan Vocations Advisor. If accepted you will follow the Discernment Process and Training, including Safeguarding and enhanced DBS check, complete a placement in a different church and then receive your Licence at the ‘Celebration of Lay Ministry’ service that happens in Coventry Cathedral each September.
Here you will find resources and information as follows for those already licensed as LLM (Readers) in the Diocese.
Contents of this page
Support including contact details
Lifelong learning
Safeguarding
Reviews, agreements and Re-Licensing
Resources
Grants
Events
LLM (Reader) with PTO
LLM (Reader) Emeritus
Diocesan Database
Useful documents
If you have any questions contact the Warden or Assistant Warden
Support
There is a team of people to help you:
Warden: Jo King Jo.King@Coventry.Anglican.org
Assistant Warden: Fiona Trewick Fiona.Trewick@Coventry.Anglican.org
Reader Committee
Secretary: Helen Allred Helen.Allred@Coventry.Anglican.org
Other members Julie Batchelor, John Daves & Amanda di Giovanni Amanda.DiGiovanni@Coventry.Anglican.org
Local Area Reps - Contact via Warden/Assistant Warden/ Secretary.
Spiritual Accompaniment (Direction)
It is encouraged that all active licensed ministers (including LLM (Readers)) meet with a Spiritual Companion (Director), or equivalent, regularly, at a frequency between every six weeks and every three months. Those seeking a spiritual companion in the Coventry Diocese should contact Sr Ann OSullivan on annosullivan1092@outlook.com
Retreat
It is encouraged that all active licensed ministers make time for Retreat each year. The Retreat Association is a national ecumenical Christian organisation that helps people find ways of exploring and deepening their journey with God through spirituality and prayer.
Some local centres include, Red Hill , the House of Bread and the Breathing Space.
Lifelong learning
Licensing is the beginning of your Licensed Lay Ministry (Reader Ministry) and there is a commitment to nurture and develop that ministry.
One of the questions asked in the Licensing Service is “Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel?”
To this end all LLM (Readers) are expected to keep up to date and do at least one training session per year either online or in person; either chosen from the huge variety of training available on the Equip Hub (the CMD termly programmes, the Lay Training Pathways, or the Equip Hub programme), or from elsewhere.
There may be other courses as required by the Diocese, e.g. Unconscious Bias Training.
Safeguarding
There are also legal safeguarding requirements of LLM (Readers):
Safeguarding Training (Basic, Foundation and Advanced and Awareness of Domestic Abuse) to be completed every 3 years.
DBS check – every 3 years. Without these you will not be able to continue your ministry.
Information about safeguarding concerns and allegations can be found here.
Reviews, agreements and Re-Licensing
In addition to this, you will need to have:
- A working agreement with your incumbent which is reviewed annually. Contact the Warden of Readers for advice if you are in an Interregnum.
- A review with another LLM (Reader) to be completed every 3 years.
- Your Licence is renewed every three years.
- If you are a LLM (Reader) with PTO see below.
Resources
The national Reader website is here.
The Transforming Ministry magazine which comes out four times a year and the diocese pays for you to have a copy sent to you.
Grants
There are diocesan grants to support the costs of a range of training and learning activities and also retreats. However, there is an expectation that your church will contribute to the costs of your having an annual retreat and for short term training. Complete the CMD application form to apply.
The George Goode Fund can contribute towards the cost of longer term training for LLMs (Readers). If you would like to apply for this please send details, including title, content, cost, length and dates of the training you would like to complete and how this will benefit your ministry to Helen.allred@coventry.anglican.org
Events
- AGM – usually takes place in the summer either by Zoom or in person at a venue within the diocese.
- Conference – a less regular event.
- Quiet Days – a pre-licensing quiet day is usually held and other events may be organised.
- Annual Service of Celebration of Lay Ministry. Takes place in September and includes Licensing of LLM (Readers) and recognition of other Lay Ministers.
LLM (Readers) with PTO
In Coventry Diocese a LLM (Reader) will become “LLM (Reader) with Permission to Officiate” the next time their three yearly review is due after their 70th birthday.
At this stage you must have
- Completed a Review with a Reviewer – sent to Warden of Readers
- Completed a Working Agreement with your Incumbent – sent to Warden of Readers
- Completed Safeguarding Training (or have training arranged) – confirmed by Diocesan Safeguarding Team with Warden of Readers
- Had a DBS check (if this is due the year you move to Permission to Officiate) – confirmed by Safeguarding Team with Warden of Readers
You will receive your new “Permission to Officiate” document at the “Celebration of Lay Ministry” service in the Autumn. At present the “Permission to Officiate” is renewed yearly from Advent. The initial “Permission to Officiate” will run from the date of the Celebration of Lay Ministry service to Advent of the following year.
NB. The Bishop’s Regulations on LLM (Reader) ministry is being updated - this may result in changes to the above.
LLM (Reader) Emeritus
A LLM (Reader) or LLM (Reader) with PTO may let go of their ministry at any time they wish – you will then become LLM (Reader) Emeritus. Any Church related activities carried out from then onwards will be done just as a lay person.
A move to LLM (Reader) Emeritus is confirmed after consultation with your Incumbent and with the Warden of Readers.
Diocesan Database
The diocese holds a database of LLM (Readers), LLM (Readers) with PTO and LLM (Readers) Emeritus.
Please notify the Secretary of Readers of any changes to your personal details.
It is important that the diocese is informed of any deaths (it would be useful to put a note in your personal effects requesting the diocese is notified in the event of your death).
If you have any questions about any of the above or anything else please contact warden/assistant warden using the details above.