Parish reader training course gets underway
There was a buzz in the air as Down and Dromore’s latest parish reader training got underway in Down Cathedral on 26 September.
The course is being taught by Revd Adrian Dorrian from the Lecale Area Mission Partnership and he was introduced on the evening by the Warden of Readers, Revd Willie Nixon.
95 people from a wide range of ages are being trained over six sessions – 32 new readers, 25 current and 38 diocesan readers. Together they represent 43 parishes.
Parish readers and diocesan readers are authorised to lead and assist in the leading of worship, but parish readers are not licensed to preach, while diocesan readers are.
There are five more training nights to come, four of which will be hosted by Carryduff Parish with the course finishing in Down Cathedral in early December.
Revd Adrian Dorrian gives an overview of the training
The aim of the course is to provide training in leading services. Rooted in the liturgies of the Church, we will be examining the elements of Church of Ireland Services – particularly the Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer.
We will also spend an evening asking what are the key things to consider when planning and leading services – whether in a formal liturgical framework or in a more informal setting.
At the heart of all of this will be the Book of Common Prayer, the processes that brought it into being and an evaluation of the various elements against the context of day to day worship in parishes.
The course will provide an overview of the Prayer Book, including examination of some of the less frequently used sections, before examining the church year. Specific training will also be offered in how to use the guidance notes for a Service of the Word and leading intercessions.
The course will seek to equip trainee readers to wrestle with the theology of worship even as they engage with the practicalities of leading worship.
Whether in formal liturgical settings or informal fresh expressions, the theology of the Church of Ireland is articulated in our Prayer Book, so we will seek to share in that sense of understanding that ‘As we believe, so we pray’ and, therefore, ‘As we pray, so we believe’.