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Last update:
18 November 2008

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Synod Matters : Lay Preaching
LAY PREACHING

Lay Preaching Commissioner:         
Revd Jenny Snashall
Old Farm Cottage
38 Old Farm Road
Hampton
Middlesex
TW12 3QT
Tel: 020 8979 3552 (07913 022221)

Jenny’s role has 3 main parts to it:
  • formulating and implementing Synod policy with regard to lay preaching
  • being an advocate for and a support to all lay people who lead worship, however infrequently
  • ensuring that there is adequate provision for training
She is particularly keen to make sure that all lay preachers feel adequately supported and cared for as they have such an important ministry within the United Reformed Church.  Before ordination she was a lay preacher herself and knows some of the trials and tribulations!
Ongoing training and learning are also very important and Jenny is keen to encourage as many people as possible to participate in this whether locally or within a wider area.
 
Area Lay Preaching Co-ordinators
 
Each Area has a Lay Preaching Co-ordinator who together form the Lay Preaching sub group of the Synod Pastoral Committee.  They get together a couple of times a year.  Any queries are best initially addressed to them: 

Wimbledon:
Revd Jenny Snashal
Details as above
 
Croydon
Mrs Judith Johnson
72 Windermere Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR5 2JB
020 8660 0215
 
South East London
Mrs Jenny Sheehan
37 The Ridge
Orpington
BR6 8AQ       
01689 830334
 
West Kent
Revd Ken Thom
78 Marlborough Crescent
Sevenoaks
TN13 2HR      
01732 453405
 
East Kent
Mr Ralph Bradshaw (Acting)
4 Segrave Road
Folkestone
CT19   6AY
01303 253948
 
Central Sussex United Area
Miss Margaret Grew
17 The Lodge
3 Blackwater Road
Eastbourne
BN21 4JF
01323 639431
 
Sussex
Mr Brian Brazier
8 Forge Way
Billingshurst
RH14 9LL
01403 783294
 

News and Information
 
Locally Recognised Lay Preachers
  • Since General Assembly this year, this has been the title for those people who were formally District Recognised Lay Preachers. There have been no other changes so if this applies to you, you still hold the recognition in your local Area that you had before. (The Area is defined as the old District. The Central Sussex United Area may be doing things a little differently.  If you are not sure please check with Margaret Grew)
  • For several months, a new scheme has been in place to train people who wish to become Locally Recognised Lay Preachers.  Your church should have all the information you need.  The main part of the training consists of the TLS Lite modules supplemented by practical experience.
Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers
  • If you are an Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers, you are now entitled to claim an annual grant of up to £200.  This can be spent on courses that are provide through the following:
    • The Windermere Centre
    • Northern College, Manchester
    • Scottish College, Glasgow
    • Westminster College, Cambridge
    • TLS
Up to 50% of it can also be used for books and resources available through the URC Bookshop.  Forms for applying for the grant (which is not transferable to the next year) will be available in due course from the Synod Development Officer, Des Colechin. (01622 738244 or developmentofficer@urcsouthern.org.uk
 
Sacraments Course
This is a 3 session course available to & recommended for all lay people who are authorised to preside at the Sacraments.  It is likely that in the future successful completion of the course will be a requirement for anyone seeking authorisation for the first time
 
The aim of the course is that, by the end,  Students should have:
  • An understanding of the place of symbols in worship
  • An understanding of the N.T. context from which our present sacraments have been developed
  • Knowledge of the Reformed – and U.R.C. – understanding  of the sacraments.
  • Explored the significance of  the material and actions in the traditional (ecumenical) order of service.
  • Considered practical arrangements and preparation for leading worship and presiding at the sacraments.
  • and gained confidence in selecting and structuring and leading an order of service with which they and their congregations will be comfortable.
The format is flexible and can usually be tailored to fit local circumstances. At the moment a course is run on request when there are a group of people in the same area wishing to do it.
Although this may change in the future. For further information, please contact Jenny Snashall
 
Residential Weekend 2009
(2008 is already full!)
 
30 October -1 November at Pilgrim Hall, Uckfield
The speakers will be John Proctor from Westminster College and Alison Adam of the Iona Community who will be leading the worship.
Further details will be available next year  but do contact Jenny Snashall to register your interest