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Taken from the Church Magazine See also 2002 Introducing Robin and Eileen Balch (Reader) Dereck Twigg Becomes a Reader (April 1978 edition of magazine) A regular worshipper and devoted server and choirmember of St. Mark's - Mr. Derek Twigg - is to become a licensed lay-reader at a ceremony in Derby Cathedral on Saturday, June 10th, at 12 noon. Derek, aged 22, is the only son of Irene and Samuel Twigg, and lives at 62 Heaton St. He is a clerical officer in the Department of Health and Social Security in Chesterfield. A former pupil of William Rhodes School, he has also worked in industry and in a solicitor's office. His interests include classical music, motoring and swimming, and he is also studying for his degree through the Open University. He has been associated with St. Mark's for 11 years, and his ambition is to be ordained to the full-time ministry of the Church. He sees his ministry as a Reader as a stepping-stone to achieving that ambition, and sees the ministry of Readers increasing in the future, and believes there is a real need for more lay-people to realise their calling and serve Our Lord's Church in this way. He is hopeful for the future, and feels the Church to be on the brink of a revival, although this may not be in the conventional way. Although attendances may be declining, he is optimistic for the future and sees a great expansion in Mission -the church making herself known and reaching-out to the people. As parish priest, I have had many occasions to be grateful for Derek's hard work and devotions, even in the year or so that I have been here, and look forward to his continued help in a more official capacity when he is licensed. Roma Hughes Becomes a Reader (June 1978 edition of magazine) Roma Hughes, a member of St. Peter's, Holymoorside, is to be admitted as a licenced reader at a special service in Derby Cathedral next month. Roma, of Gladwin Gardens, Walton, came to Chesterfield nine years ago from Hampshire and responded to an appeal for volunteer readers at what was then her local church. But two years ago she decided to go one step further and joined a new style, two year course for readers being run at St. Lawrence Convent, Belper. "It was hard work, particularly all the written work. It was so long since I had done any real study that I didn't know what I was letting myself in for," said Roma, a retired teacher. But she came through with flying colours, the first person in the parish to become a licensed reader for many years. Now she has just one ambition left, to be ordained. "I have read lessons, conducted services in old people's hospital wards and taken Evensong occasionally. I now feel I have gone as far as I can as a lay person," said Roma. Harold Clarke is Licensed as a Reader (August 1984 edition of magazine) Harold Clarke was licensed as Reader by the Bishop of Derby at a service in the Cathedral on June 16th. He now joins the other two readers (Sylvia Scott and Gill Watts-Jones) in a lay team of people who are authorised to officiate and to preach in church. Harold, 56, is a fitter at Markham's, where he has worked continuously since leaving school at the age of 15. 'I left school on the Friday, and began at work on Monday morning!' said Harold. In his youth he was a keen cyclist, sometimes cycling 200 miles in a day. 'At Easter I used to cycle with my friend to Land's End and back, taking six days for the journey', said Harold. Now he does less cycling, but enjoys walking in the country and birdwatching. Says Harold,'I think that my faith is enabling me to see beauty in nature in a way that I never did before.' At St. Thomas' church Harold's skills as a fitter have been put to good use in repairing and maintaining the carillon - the peal of bells operated from a keyboard. For some time he has been the church's 'man on duty' at evening service; and from now on he will be able to lead the service. At work Harold is a member of the works Christian Fellowship. How do his workmates feel about his new role in the church? 'I keep fairly quiet about it' says Harold, 'There have been a few friendly comments written on the wall! Everyone is very good about it.' Robin Dawson becomes a Reader (June 1989 edition of magazine)
Reading About It (February 1991 edition of magazine) About being a 'Reader' There are some 7,500 `Readers' in the Church of England - those men and women who look at first sight as though they are clergy (although they do not wear dog collars) but wear a distinctive blue scarf when taking part in services. They now have a new Moderator for Reader Training; The Rev John Goulding has recently been ordained, but for 33 years he was a Reader (formerly called a `lay reader'). He is overseeing and establishing a national pattern for the three year training programme which all potential Readers undergo. Readers may take funerals but not usually baptisms or marriages; they may assist an ordained priest at a Holy Communion service. The first Reader was appointed in 1866, and there are plans next year for a vast 125-year celebration in the NEC, Birmingham for some 11,000 people. Keith Chappell, New Licenced Reader (June 1992 edition of magazine) On Saturday 13 June, Keith Chappell will be admitted to the office of Reader at a Service in Derby Cathedral. It will be good to welcome him to the team. David Brookes, New Licenced Reader (October 1994 edition of magazine) Congratulations to David Brooks, who has just been licensed as a Reader in Derby Cathedral. He has been training for 3 years, somehow fitting it in alongside his medical and family responsibilities. David is much appreciated already in our churches, especially for his dramatic contributions and thought provoking, incisive preaching. His main ministry will be alongside Sheila Pite in the 9.09 service and in the leadership team of CYFA (the youth fellowship). Please pray for him and Pep, Hannah and Rosalind. Face to Face with Ray Hearn (December 1996 edition of the Church Magazine) Ray Hearn has recently joined our team of licensed Readers. He preaches and leads worship in each of our churches. He supports and trains our Pathfinder leaders and is committed to the Intercessory Prayer Group.
What followed being a headmaster? I became Coordinator for the new YTS, designing and supervising the development of training programmes in County Training workshops for trainees with special needs. Later I added the responsibility for the County's Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and designed the Peak Award for people with special needs of all ages from about 11 years old. You have had to cope with depression for several years, haven't you? Depression has been my companion for 40 years or so. I was an inpatient before I even started teaching following a long illness with TB and renal problems. I took 7 years to get my degree! and I had to take early retirement because of depression. I describe depression this way -the past is unimaginable (you can't remember you've ever been normal) - the present is unbearable -and the future is unthinkable. There's nothing there but terror and darkness and utter powerlessness. I had a spontaneous lift in March 1992 coming home from watching "Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs" with Doff, my wife and two of our grandchildren. Suddenly I felt free! There have been battles since, but the war has been won. Have you learned anything through your depression? Yes. Depression is a clinical illness over which the sufferer has no more control than over appendicitis. Christians who say that all you need is faith to recover have never experienced clinical depression. A depressed person needs lifting to the feet of Jesus as surely as the paralysed man was by his 4 friends. My survival has depended on God's faithfulness. He hung on to me. The second verse I ever learnt off by heart was 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has taken you that is not common to man. GOD IS FAITHFUL He will not let you be tested beyond your strength. With the temptation He will give you the strength to bear it, that you maze stand up under it." God is faithful and His Word is a living weapon for defence and attack. When did you become a Christian? In 1954, I was 21. It was through a Christian involved in inviting Billy Graham to Harringay. I objected to an American coming over to sell Jesus like a bar of soap but God stepped in and made Himself real to me through Luke 11:13. At about 16 I had stopped going to Church. About 3 years later in hospital with TB, I started my way back to God. Two years later I arrived "Home" You and Doff enjoy art. Has it helped you? I've been painting for 20 years or more but it has come into its own since my recovery. It's a wonderful way to express what is happening through word, music and pictures, both painting and photography. Every Tuesday we go to the Cutthorpe Art Group. We alt meet each other and enjoy being together with no obligations. Art and bowls with swimming every Wednesday make great therapy. From your vantage point as a Reader, how do you see St Thomas'? St Thomas' is a community which contains an enormous range of Christian experience. It is difficult to describe its identity with so many backgrounds, approaches and understanding. Such a diverse church challenges me to present Jesus, clearly and simply. Love has to be demonstrated and Jesus is the living demonstration of God's love. (Romans 5:8) New Readers (August 1997 edition of magazine) Our wonderful team of Readers, who help in leading worship and preaching, is increasing.
At the same time, we pray for the complete recovery of Keith Chappell who has been suffering a long period of illness and whose ministry as a Reader we have missed very much. Welcome to David and Nanette Sanderson (October 1997 edition of the Church Magazine)
David is to retire in March next year: he has been serving as the national Church Army Decade of Evangelism Officer. It will be great to have them with us. Face to Face with Bill Galloway (December 1997 edition of the Church Magazine)
What made things change? Jonathan Jee, the Curate who took Craig acrd Lisa's wedding, made an impression on me arid later he invited Joan and I to join a Christian Basics course. The course proved to be a catalyst. It made me look and read - I've always been an avid reader. I wanted to find out for the first time what the basic Christian message was. I found I needed to look at other world religions as well - way beyond the material of the course. The greatest influence on me proved to be the Bible. It made a deep impression, giving me joy and delight as I read it. It still is a real source of inspiration. In addition I discovered the writings of C. S. Lewis, who was so in tune with how I felt and saw things, and his writings have been a powerful influence on me. Since you became a committed Christian, what have been the outstanding milestones for you? Well, I was confirmed. Before long I found myself offering our home as a venue for Christian Basics courses and 1 was assisting Judith Henderson and later Peter Wilkinson in leading them. Through them God seemed to be urging me not to be lukewarm as I had been, and to make me read and study more. Most recently it has been Alpha with the meals together which help to create a relaxed atmosphere and the excellent talks which give the discussion groups a clear focus. And the Reader's Course, just beginning, is interesting so far. You are a musician, aren't you? I've enjoyed music all my life and considered it as career but you have to be very, very good to make a go of that. The trumpet is my main instrument and I studied the piano later in life. I love opera and all sorts from classical to jazz, as long as it is good music, well done. What has your career consisted of? It has been varied!. Aged 16 I became an apprentice electrical engineer working underground. Three years later, I moved down to England -to Luton, where I met Joan. I worked for General Motors. I went. on to be a development engineer for computer test equipment and then became a senior technician at Glasgow University and at a nuclear research reactor. After a while I went into lecturing and did my first degree a BSc, in Scotland when I was about thirty. In 1979, 1 came to Chesterfield College, lecturing in Electrical Engineering and doing some maths as well. In due course, I became a Principal Lecturer and the Head of the Faculty of Technology responsible for about ninety lecturers. And now? I took a voluntary early retirement package a few years ago. I do some part-time lecturing, have a few music pupils, and keep very busy doing all kinds of things - not least the Readers course, preparing sermons, organising Alpha, looking after grandchildren .... Bill Galloway is Now Admitted and Licensed as a Reader (October 1999 edition of the Church Magazine)
We appreciate Bill and all our Readers. May they - and the clergy too be our teachers and prophets. Christopher Frith Reader in Training (December 2000 edition of the Church Magazine) Pat Clayton is training to be a Reader.
Pat is a primary school teacher in Eckington. After working for several years for a computer company in Redditch, she returned to Chesterfield and trained for teaching in Sheffield. It has been a fulfilling career change. Three years ago, Pat's mother died. She started coming to St Thomas' with Laura, her daughter, after that. She joined an Alpha course and came to a living faith in Jesus, which has steadily blossomed. She gave her "testimony " - telling her story - in St Thomas' a year ago just after her birthday. "I can honestly say that the last two years have been far, far better than the previous thirty something", she said smiling, broadly. Pat adds, "I am very please to have started my Reader training, and feel both encouraged and excited that God is leading me along this new path in my Christian life." A Celebration and Welcome to Pat Clayton -Pat is licenced as a Reader (August 2003 edition of the Church Magazine)
St. Thomas' Church should feel very proud of her, and grateful that they have such an excellent addition to their group of able readers. To me, she appears a youthful, competent and gifted person. Her training and skill as a teacher shines through, as we already know from the lovely way she conducts worship and preaches her well ordered, inspiring sermons. As a reader, Pat has many years to give, and God willing, we will have her ministry for a long time to come. So on behalf of the Church, I would like, as a fellow reader, to welcome Pat into this licensed office of Reader. We look forward to her wearing her "blue scarf of office" (where appropriate) and continuing her unique contribution to life of St. Thomas' Church. God bless you, Pat, and use your ministry richly among us. Written by Eileen Balch Pauline and Bill Woodend Say Goodbye (June 2007 edition of the Church Magazine) Pauline and Bill Woodend have moved to Spain.
Over a period we got to know individuals in the church family and we value their friendship highly. With the excellent leadership and the strong fellowship we have developed our faith and we have had the added bonus of being able to enjoy our time with many good friends at St. Peter's, both in their worship and socially. The whole experience has been a great gift from God and we thank Him and praise Him. We shall take many fond memories with us and will miss you all. God Bless Pauline and Bill Nanette and David: Fifty Years with the Church Army (October 2007 edition of the Church Magazine) David and Nanette were commissioned into the Church Army in 1957. This is a look back over their fifty years of ministry.
Davids first post was as a caravan evangelist and he worked for a year on the York Diocesan van mostly in the villages on the north bank of the river Humber. A year later he moved to Blackburn Diocese where he stayed for the next five years. Caravan evangelists usually lived in the van from September/October through to about June leading parish missions in towns and villages. David is still in touch with a few folk who came to Christ during these years. Continuing his mission work he then moved onto the Northern Evangelistic team based in Manchester and worked in the North of England. After four years at Nottingham, Nanette joined the Flying Column, so called because they conducted missions anywhere in the United Kingdom. The team, based in London, conducted a regular succession of ten day missions with a short break between each mission. Terry Waite, who was then a Church Army evangelist, was also a member of the team. It was while Nanette was on the Flying Column and in the mission section of Church Army that she met up with David again and subsequently they married. David took up a post in Wakefield Diocese working in the West Riding. Church Army always had a keen involvement in training people in evangelism and enabling people to witness to their faith. This became a significant part of Davids work. Nanette had resigned her commission on marriage, a compulsory requirement back in those days, though she was quite active in the local church and in childrens work on the local estate. It was during this time that the first of their three children were born. Something needs to be said about the summer mission activities in these first ten years with Church Army. July, August and September provided a number of open air opportunities. During July there were the walking treks from a Cathedral city to the seaside. David and Nanette between them managed seven of these including treks from Durham to Blackpool, Chester to Cleethorpes, Winchester to St Leonards and Bradford to Blackpool. The teams stayed in places on the way for one to three days and led mission activities in each place. The walking treks came to an end about 1960 David led one of the final walking treks this time from Lichfield to Blackpool. After that motor vehicles were used. On arriving at the seaside the teams would spend a month preaching on the beach and spreading the Good News in whatever ways were open to them. Open air ministry opportunities in September were with hop pickers in Kent. During the day the evangelists helped people pick the hops and tried to talk to them about Jesus. In the evenings there would be meetings for children or film shows for adults. The next piece of work was in Lowestoft, Suffolk the most easterly town in the British Isles. David was on the staff at Christ Church, the most easterly church, and had a variety of roles including organising twelve annual Holiday Clubs for children and at another time leading the youth ministry team. Nanette also found her niche heading up some of the childrens work and helping with holiday clubs and the summer outreach on Lowestofts North Denes. However Davids main work was Chaplain to holidaymakers on the east coast of the Norwich Diocese. This included a forty mile stretch of coast with Great Yarmouth in the middle. There was a need to encourage churches to be tourist friendly and help local churches to see the holiday visitors as a field for outreach. At another level David was actively involved in trying to share the Good News directly with holiday people. Nanette and the children helped out with the work on the holiday caravan sites. One year David lost his voice for a whole week. Nanette stepped in and did all the talking! After thirteen years they moved to Norwich where David was Officer for Mission and Training for the Diocese. This work led him into a number of opportunities to lead evangelistic projects across the denominations. He also set up a faith sharing team to witness in the villages of south Norfolk. Nanette also came back into formal ministry as a part time NSM Church Army sister at St Pauls Tuckswood, Norwich where, amongst other things, she organised a parents and tots group and was the link person between that group and the family services. After five years in Norwich there was a move to Sheffield where Nanette was employed as a full time Church Army evangelist in the large ecumenical parish of Sheffield Manor. David was then a member of the Decade of Evangelism steering group which was endeavouring to stimulate authentic evangelism across the churches of the U.K. After seven years in Sheffield they retired, whatever that means in Christian ministry! After retirement David continued with a number of projects that had been started previous to retirement, not least the summer outreach at Towyn, North Wales and his work with the Grove Evangelism booklets. Then came opportunity for a wider ministry. He was invited to teach mission, for a term, based on his research on Roland Allen, the missionary thinker, both at Church Armys East African and Canadian Colleges. Added to that was an opportunity to plan for and take a witness team to Latvia and a recent teaching visit to Tanzania. As many of you will be very much aware Nanette has developed the work with seniors over the past few years at St Thomas. Incidentally, ministry with seniors is one of Church Armys current priorities. More pictures here On behalf of all Ploughshare readers my I congratulate David and Nanette on this milestone and thank them for all the work they have done and are still doing at St Thomas and further a field. -Editor |
