The sun shone on Saturday (23 May) for the Called Together service at Leicester Cathedral, as we lifted high and celebrated our lay ministers and the ministry they carry out across the Diocese.
It was joyful to see the Cathedral filled as families, friends, colleagues, and church communities, gathered to recognise and pray for new and existing lay ministers.
We were also encouraged to consider our own gifts and calling.
During the service, Bishop Martyn licensed seven new Associate Ministers - Chris, Matilde, Clive, Heulwen, Mark, Jude and Guy - and relicensed a large number of existing Associate Ministers, Readers, Pastoral Assistants and Pioneers.
He also commissioned the Lay Ministry Council – those called to represent the Fellowship of Lay Ministers in the Diocese, to support them, advocate for them, and work in partnership with others to enable their flourishing in ministry.
The Called Together service is traditionally held at Pentecost to mark the Holy Spirit appointing the first lay ministers to be sent out.
Those who were newly licensed received a Bible as their guide to living as disciples of Jesus and made a commitment to continue in lives of prayer and service.
Canon Viv Froggatt, Associate Minister in The Ascension Team, gave a powerful sermon, exploring what it means to be “called together” as Christians and ministers.
She reflected honestly on the hidden struggles people carry, reminding us that ministry can be lonely, demanding, and sacrificial, modelled on Jesus’ own mission.
Yet Jesus never worked alone; he gathered people into community to share life, joy, suffering, and purpose. Viv challenged us to embody unity without uniformity, to resist tribalism and prejudice, and to practise a deeper, more generous hospitality - welcoming others on their terms, not just our own.
Drawing on personal stories of unexpected hospitality, and birdsong rising above noise, she encouraged us to love across difference and remain faithful in a divided world. She closed, saying:
“We are called together to sing God’s beautiful song of love, and when we sing together – loving across difference – what a joyful sound we will make.”
Associate Ministers across the Diocese of Leicester each bring unique gifts shaped by who they are and the nature of their calling, and their ministry can take many different forms. In this diversity, they share common strengths: offering spiritual guidance, supporting mission, and helping others grow deeper in their faith.
Lay ministers carry out a wide range of roles within our churches and worshipping communities, often working behind the scenes as they generously give their time, care, and dedication.
They also play a vital part in building connections beyond the church - serving in prisons, hospices and hospitals, visiting care homes, leading activities such as Messy Church, foodbanks, parent-and-toddler groups and outdoor worship, and living out their faith in everyday working life.
We are deeply thankful for the lay ministers across our diocese and for the loving service they offer their communities.
Canon Shayne Ardron, Chair of the Lay Ministry Council, said: “We are all called to play our part in enabling the Kingdom of God to be lived out safely and faithfully in the parishes and workplaces God calls us to. For this reason, the Lay Ministry Council is commissioned during the service - its aim to be one of those supports, working with God to nurture the vocations we have been called to, and listening to both the challenges and delights of people’s ministry, endeavouring to find the best way forward together.
“There are relatively few occasions when Lay Ministers from across the Diocese have the opportunity to gather together. This service represents the culmination of considerable effort by Lay Ministers themselves and by those who faithfully support this work.”
Revd Liz Rawlings, diocesan Discipleship and Vocations Enabler, said: “Each new Associate Minister has been on a different journey as they have explored and responded to God’s call into lay ministry and, from here, they will continue on very different paths as they offer their varied gifts in their churches and wider communities. For the last two years they have shared an experience of formation during their training and shared this moment in the Cathedral when their commitment and desire to serve God has been recognised and blessed.”
She added: “God is continuing to call others into lay ministry in all its various forms, so if you, or someone you know, is hearing this gentle but persistent voice, you might want to come to the Vocations Drop-in on Saturday 6 June, consider joining a Journey in Faith Course in September, or have a conversation with the vocations team.”
Our new Associate Ministers are:
Chris Ashton – St Mary’s, Lutterworth
My Christian journey began with my baptism at All Saints, Wigston Magna. I was prepared for confirmation as a young adult by Canon Derek Hole at St James the Greater in Leicester. I live in Lutterworth and worship in the benefice of St Mary’s Lutterworth. I have a love of the Book of Common Prayer but am comfortable with a variety of styles of worship.
I am married to Jane and we have been blessed with two children of whom we are very proud. Luke is a student Police Officer and Charlotte is studying Theatre and Performance, most recently appearing on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.
I believe I am being called to be part of the formation of the new Minster Community in South Leicestershire, with a ministry that will involve reaching out to Children and Young People and their families, in both schools and community organisations such as the Sea Cadets with which I am an adult instructor.
I also feel that I may be exercising part of my ministry in my work as Library Service manager with Warwickshire County Council.
Outside of work I enjoy music, particularly choral evensong, keeping up to date with the ups and downs of our local sports teams, and following hounds across the Leicestershire countryside.
Matilde Fernandes – St Mary’s, Hinckley
I live and worship in St. Mary's Hinckley. After I retired I moved to Hinckley to live with my youngest son after working and living all across the world.
My aim was always to deepen my relationship with God to know Him further, to go where He is sending me in order to serve Him better. Using my fluency with languages, and my ability to connect I wish to bring people to Him through love and care.
St. Mary's congregation has always been very supportive and its members helped me to listen to God's call, guiding me towards the Lay Minister training.
Moving forward I hope to increase my engagement with the close and extended community, being part of expanding and developing what is offered in worshipping, pastoral care and inclusive community relationships.
Clive Hawley – Foxton with Gumley and Laughton
Becoming a Lay Minister was not something that I had planned to do in my life. However, I became aware that God has called me, and, of course, I am unable to turn him down!
I feel privileged to be able to serve the people living in our lovely village of Foxton, near Market Harborough, whether they are a person of faith or none.
I would like to help build up the life of our parish church, maintain our village services and offer pastoral care, particularly in times of crisis. I hope that I can connect our faith with life - our everyday experiences.
Heulwen Howells – Quorndon
I have worshipped at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Quorn for over 40 years and my ministry will be rooted in my local community, where I will continue to serve my church and Minster Community as Associate Minister, and Rawlins Church of England Academy as a Foundation Governor. I sing with the church choir, and my Welsh background means it is inevitable that I enjoy rousing and beautiful hymns. I especially enjoy the informality of Family Services, playing violin with our small worship band, introducing young people to church and involving them in Christian worship.
Mark Sampson – All Saints, Thorpe Acre
I moved to Loughborough in the early 2000’s with my wife and two sons, we found a warm welcome at All Saints Church Thorpe Acre with Dishley. I wanted to help out, so I became part of the ministry to the elderly team, an assistant churchwarden and now help with our prayer ministry team.
I was confirmed at Holy Trinity Church Barrow upon Soar in April 2017. As my faith grew it led me to ask more about Christianity and how I could help other people explore their own faith. I completed both the Alpha and JIF courses and after a period of reflection and discernment for a few years, took on the challenge of Associate Ministry Training.
I hope my faith in Jesus can help others ask questions about their own faith and find a life in Christ. I look forward to serving our community as an Associate Minister.
Jude Taylor – Leicester Cathedral
Originally from Market Harborough, I now live in Leicester city centre and have been worshipping at Leicester Cathedral since 2022. I am delighted to be a part of the Cathedral ministry team, involved in leading worship, preaching and co-leading Cathedral discipleship activities. It is a joy to travel together with our Cathedral community on our continued journeys of faith and to have so many wonderful encounters with visitors and worshippers from across the city, county and beyond, learning so much of who God is and how God is at work in the world. I also enjoy supporting the community of St Nicholas Leicester and helping its work as an Intercultural Worshipping Community. I was previously the Cathedral Discipleship Officer, and I now work part time for a local charity. I am also a freelance composer and have been working professionally in the theatre industry since 2018.
Guy Whitehouse – Aylestone St Andrew with St James
I came to faith in 1988. At the time I was acutely aware that Christianity was becoming increasingly unfashionable, but I’ve stayed on the Christian path ever since, even with all the usual ups and downs and mistakes I might wish I could undo. I started work for the Boots Company before spending time doing a Ph.D at Loughborough and then working at IBM. I then changed direction and came to Leicester to help a friend’s clients with probate, writing wills and self-assessment tax matters.
I moved to Aylestone in 2019 and joined St Andrew’s. I decided to explore the possibility of becoming an Associate Minister when the lay minister there at the time suddenly announced she was standing down. It seemed to fit a pattern whereby paths I’d been interested in taking in the past but which circumstances had made impossible suddenly seemed to open up.
My interests include music, chess, wine and current affairs. I used to be a keen rambler (I’ve walked the coast to coast) and I’m very grateful that a local pub near me sells an excellent range of craft beers.
Read the full list of lay ministers who have renewed their licences.