OVER 250 people were to be re-licensed as the readers of Blackburn Diocese at a cathedral service today .
In addition, a further seven new readers will be licensed during the service led by Bishop Nicholas Reade.
Readers are the Church of England's lay ministers, trained to nationally-moderated standards in a two-year course, and licensed by the diocesan bishop to work in a particular parish.
They are authorised to lead services of the word (morning and evening prayer) and to preach both at these and at communion services. They may be involved in pastoral work, and can be asked to take funerals (but not weddings or baptismal services.)
Their badge of office is the blue stole (or scarf), and each newly-licensed reader will have that put on for the first time at the licensing by their parish priest.
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