With church buildings, including Rochester Cathedral, still closed for public worship, the annual service to license new lay ministers to the Diocese, was unable to take place in the Cathedral as planned.
However, technology stepped in, and a new cohort of 12 Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) were licensed on 16 May via Zoom!
A Licensed Lay Minister is a distinctive role with the Diocese of Rochester. It is someone who has been called to serve the Church, but not to be ordained.
An LLM might take responsibility for a major area within the worshipping life of a church, such as youth work or music.
Details of the each new LLM, including a quote and picture, were shared via the Diocese's social media channels in order to introduce them to the Diocese.
Hayley Usmar, who was one of those licensed said:
"Over the past three years, I have learned that I am enough – troubled and imperfect as I am. God hasn’t called me subject to the elimination of my doubts and worries. He hasn’t even called me in spite of them.
"God has called me because of who I am - and my hope is that by sharing my experiences other people will realise that they too are enough for God, just as they are."
For Tony Fitzpatrick, being called to lay ministry was not what he expected:
"I am registered blind, unofficially left school before I was allowed, and have only been a Christian for 10 years, so what shall I do next?
That's right, train to be an LLM with the Church of England!!!
"I'm living proof that God doesn't call the equipped, he calls the willing and equips them."
People were invited to pray for all the LLMs, their families and the parishes they will be serving, as they took this next step on their journey of faith.
Meet all twelve here
It is hope that it will be possible to have a more public celebration later in the year.
Find out more about lay ministry within the Diocese here or take a look at the national website for lay ministry called: Transforming Ministry