United Benefice of Bishop's Cannings, Etchilhampton & All Cannings
Our Team
Priest in charge
Revd Sally Attwater
Assistant curate
Sue Ascough
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
Mr Scott Hulland
Lay pastoral assistants
Mr John Gunnell
Mrs Barbara Gunnell
Mrs Ann Jarvis
Mrs Crystal Naughton
The Priesthood
In the ordination service, priests (or presbyters) are called by God
to work with bishops and deacons as servants and
shepherds among the people to whom they are sent. They proclaim the Word
of the Lord, and in Christ’s name absolve and declare the forgiveness of
sins. They baptize and prepare the baptized for confirmation, and they may
solemnize marriage. They preside at the celebration of Holy Communion. They
lead the people in prayer and worship, intercede for them, and teach and
encourage by word and example. They minister to the sick, and prepare the
dying for their death. Both deacons and priests are accredited ministers.
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
Licensed lay ministers (formerly know as readers) are lay men and women in a voluntary ministry who are licensed
by the bishop to a particular parish or specialist ministry.
They
preach and teach, conduct services (including funerals) and assist generally
in worship and pastoral care under the supervision of the vicar. Before
starting the training programme (which usually lasts three years and leads
to the nationally accredited Church of England Readers Certificate) they
must be recommended by their vicar and parochial church council and selected
at diocesan level. Nowadays reader training is integrated with ordained
local minister (OLM) training. The reader for our benefice is Mr Scott Hulland.
Lay pastoral assistants
A lay pastoral assistant is a person who engages with and uses the gifts and skills he or she has in pastoral ministry on behalf of the local church, always working as part of a team of clergy and lay people. In all cases the ministry calls for a loving and compassionate heart, a willingness to listen and support those in need, and the ability to keep confidences. Lay pastoral assistants may be involved with visiting the housebound, the elderly, the sick at home or in hospital, supporting the bereaved and visiting baptism families.
The Vicarage, Bishop's Cannings, Devizes, SN10 2LD
revsally@attwater.freeserve.co.uk phone/fax 01380 860650