Reader Ministry

Readers are specially trained lay people who are called to work with parish priests, for example, by preaching, teaching and leading non-Eucharistic services such as Evensong.  For further information, click here.

SUMMARY

1. The Church is divided into dioceses, each under the spiritual care of its own Bishop, who is the chief shepherd of the Christian Family within it.

2. Every diocese is sub-divided into parishes, each under the care of its own parish priest, who is the Bishop’s representative and the shepherd of the Christian Family within it.

3. Parishes are also grouped for convenience into rural deaneries and archdeaconries.

4. The Cathedral has the Bishop’s throne (cathedra) in it, and is in the charge of the Dean and Chapter (senior Cathedral clergy).

5. Monks and nuns, who belong to the Religious Communities or Orders, have been called to give up everything for Our Lord and to spend their lives in prayer and, usually, in teaching the Faith as well.

6. Readers are specially trained lay people who are called to work in parishes, for example, by preaching and teaching.

Reference

Church of England (not dated) Dioceses and Parishes.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/diocesesparishes/  (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).