Lay Preaching Commissioner:
Susan Knight
susan.knight@reigateparkchurch.org
Area Lay Preaching Co- ordinators
Most Synod Areas have a Lay Preaching Co-
Central Sussex United Area |
No Coordinator
queries to Lydia Goodchild Administrator Central Sussex United Area (Monday – Thursday, 12.30 – 3.00pm) Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3DN Telephone 01444 416170 |
East Kent |
Mr Ralph Bradshaw (Acting)
4 Segrave Road Folkestone CT19 6AY 01303 253948 |
South London East |
Judy Davies
Springhill, Leafy Grove, Keston BR2 6AH Tel: 01689 855 744 |
South London West |
Mrs Eileen Lawlor
49 New Road Mitcham Junction CR4 4JN 020 8715 7378 |
Surrey and Sussex |
Ian Fletcher
101 Heron Way Horsham RH13 6DN Tel: 01403 261185 Email: ian@fletcher.net |
West Kent and East Sussex |
Pam Tolhurst
47 Betenson Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3EP 078899 41092 |
News and Information
Becoming a Lay Preacher
These leaflets will explain how you can become a Lay Preacher
If you need more information or would like to talk to someone please contact your local Lay Preaching Co-
Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers
If you are an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher, you are entitled to claim an annual grant of up to £200. Following changes in July 2011, this can now be spent on a much wider range of courses than previously, namely
- those provided by the URC’s Resource Centres for Learning (Northern College, Manchester, Scottish College, Glasgow, Westminster College, Cambridge)
- TLS
- Learning events organized by the Synod which the Synod Development Officer (in consultation with the Synod Lay Preaching Commissioner) has designated as appropriate for grant-
funding - “relevant learning events organized by other agencies”. (The key question is whether the event is relevant to your ministry as a Lay Preacher.) Up to 50% of the grant can also be used for books and resources.
For further details, see the application form (Form A4).
All applications for funding must be made, using this form, to the Training Development Officer, Revd Andy Twilley –
Lay Preachers’ Grants
Sacraments Course
This is a 3 session course available to and recommended for all lay people who are authorised to preside at the Sacraments. Successful completion of the course is 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 Andy Twilley.