Congratulations to the six students who received the Bishop’s Certificate from Bishop Jonathan at the Celebration of Learning service in Bishopscourt Garden on Monday (30 June).
The Bishop’s Certificate follows two years of formation and learning. It means the students have the Bishop’s permission to share in ministry in their local context.
Their ministry is very broad. For example, it could include preaching, leading, working with older people, working with children, or offering a pastoral ministry.
Most of the students are continuing towards Licensed Lay Ministry. Find out more about routes into Lay Ministry within the Diocese of Rochester
During the same week, Bishop Jonathan commissioned three new Anna Chaplains – Margaret Miller from St.John's Church, Sidcup, Jenny Turner from St John the Evangelist Bromley, and Marie Rayner from Burham and Wouldham.
Anna Chaplaincy is a pioneering ministry within the Diocese that works with older people. It aims to equip churches to support older people in their congregations and communities, and to ensure their spiritual and pastoral needs are met.
Margaret Hollands from Hoo St Werburgh Parish Church, Rev Anne Bourne, West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, Rev Sophie Sutherland from Bromley Parish Church, and Diana Pattison from Holy Trinity Church, Bromley Common were also recommissioned as archdeaconry leads for Anna Chaplaincy.