Called to Diocesan Reader ministry - Michelle Savage
Michelle Savage is a parishioner of St Columbanus, Ballyholme and is one of eight Diocesan Readers commissioned by Bishop David at a service in her home church on Thursday 27 March.
I grew up in a Christian home where church was part of the weekly routine. I have thrown myself into the life of the church, helping to run Confirmation Classes, helping with Sunday School and with Youth Fellowship, leading a Home Group, serving as Rector’s Church Warden, helping to run the Alpha Course, volunteering on the Prayer Ministry Team and volunteering with the Missions Committee. I have loved every minute but always felt there was something more I could be doing.
Many years ago, my friend became a Lay Reader, and I sat at her commissioning service knowing that this was part of God’s plan for me. It was all a matter of timing and at that time our children were very young, and I was needed at home. God’s timing is perfect however, and I have just completed the course to become a Diocesan Lay Reader this month.
The course is split into two sections. One half takes place through lectures at CITI where I made the most wonderful friends, learned a lot, took time to explore my faith and my journey and wrote assignments which both challenged me and taught me so much. The second half of the course took place in Banbridge on Thursday evenings with Revd Willie Nixon. We were taught how to prepare sermons, how to deliver God’s message, how to search for the teaching point within the text and how to make sure that our sermon is speaking to everyone in the congregation.
The whole experience has been a blessing. I have been so buoyed up by prayers and encouraging texts, phone calls (and proof reading of assignments!) from family and friends and my rector at Ballyholme Parish that, no matter the workload, I have always felt that I am answering God’s call.
I cannot thank everyone enough for their support through this journey, and I know that their prayerful support will continue as I step out in faith into my new role as Diocesan Reader. I am ready to serve.
Congratulations to Michelle and everyone who completed the course!
Margaret Holland (Waringstown)
Paddy Marshall (Willowfield)
Thomas Proctor (Ballywalter)
Joy Ruddell (Moira)
James Simpson (Bangor Primacy)
Joshua Thornbury (Seagoe)
Mark Wells (Ballyholme)
Find more about becoming a Diocesan Reader in our Training section HERE.
