On Saturday 5th October we were delighted that two of our newly licensed LLM’s (Licensed Lay Ministers) are the first to complete a specialised course in children and family ministry.
The Diocese of Ely has been delighted to partner with Ridley Hall over the last two years in developing theological training for those who want to specialise in their work with children and young families.
This course, a diploma in Theology, Mission and Ministry, recognises the vital contribution that lay people working with children and families in our Diocese play in nurturing faith development in children and young people. It equips the Children and Families’ LLMs with a secure theological understanding and enables highly skilled practitioners to support the work of the church ‘to diligently instruct and teach’ the young in their local context.
Debbie Hill, Diocese of Ely Children’s Advisor, attended the service and has played a key role in the selection, formation and support of these two new posts. She remarked “What a wonderful day of celebration! Ely Diocese is so delighted to have two such gifted people leading the way forward in the way lay ministry with children and young families is delivered. Ruth and Juliette have worked so hard with their studies, developing flourishing children and families work in their home churches and have contributed so much to the way the course has developed, enabling others to follow in their footsteps.”
The experience has been a journey for both Ruth New and Juliette Brown, watch this space for an interview with them and what they see their ministry to be.
If you are interested in exploring your vocation or finding out what different training options there are, please email the Vocations Team.
Image from left to right: Stephen Mashford (Warden of Readers) Ruth New (LLM - Children’s and Families Worker), Bishop Dagmar (Bishop of Huntingdon), Bishop Stephen (Bishop of Ely), Juliette Brown (LLM - Children’s and Families Worker)
