Over the Pentecost long weekend, 14 lay ministers from the Diocese of Hanover in Germany visited our diocese to meet with Licensed Lay Ministers and to share experiences of lay ministry.
The guests from one of our overseas link dioceses stayed with seven host couples, most of whom were LLMs, and visited a range of places including Mixenden, Keighley, Idle, and Little Horton.
They also participated in a Pentecost Orchestral Eucharist at Wakefield Cathedral and the Bradford City Park Pentecost Festival, and met Resourcing Church LLMs and Mission Apprentices.
Over the four days, the participants from Leeds and Hanover shared personal stories and examples of lay and clergy ministering together effectively, creating cultures of inclusion and hospitality across cultural and social difference, widening access to discernment and training especially for those previously excluded, and the role of leadership in communities that are seeking to develop shared communal ministry, amongst other topics.
Vera Pabst, leader of the group from Hanover, said, “Thank you all for a wonderfully busy and encouraging weekend.
“We were stretched in our reflection on church and (lay) ministry, and leave filled with ideas and impressions we will continue to discuss for a long time.”
Ann Nicholl, Area Warden of Readers and one of the hosts, said: “What a good few days together!
“I have heard nothing but enthusiastic enjoyment and learning from both the German party and our own contributors.
“And thanks for the good food!”
We hope to develop these links and conversations further over the next 18 months or so.
Anyone interested in joining in with this link is welcome to contact the Revd Canon Erik Peeters, Diocesan Lay Training Officer, at erik.peeters@leeds.anglican.org for more details.