On Saturday, Truro Cathedral hosted the annual reader service, as the Bishop of St Germans, the Rt Revd Chris Goldsmith led a celebration of the reader ministry.

During the service, two new readers joined readers from across the diocese to celebrate reader ministry including one reader who has given 50 years’ service.

Readers are called to serve the Church of God and to work together with clergy and other ministers. They are to lead public worship, to preach and teach the word of God, to assist at the Eucharist and to share in pastoral and evangelistic work.

On Saturday, readers played a large part in their service with Warren Nicholls reading from the Book of Exodus and fellow reader David Elliott giving the sermon.

This year Martin Smith, who will serve in the cluster churches of Menheniot with Merrymeet, St Ive and Quethiock, and Susan Irving, who will serve in the benefice of Antony with Sheviock and Torpoint, were admitted to the office of reader and licensed.

Joining Martin and Susan were Sarah Angier, Graham Downes and Judith Ayres, all readers who have joined Truro from other dioceses. Sarah will serve in the cluster churches of Menheniot with Merrymeet, St Ive and Quethiock, Graham will serve in the benefice of St Goran with St Michael Caerhays and Judith will serve in the benefices of Stoke Climsland, South Hill with Callington, and Linkinhorne.

Two readers who were licensed earlier in the year, Tess Dean who is serving in the benefice of Kenwyn with St Allen, and Kaye Wingham, who is now serving in the Penlee cluster, were also recognised.

Helen Purchase from the benefice of Godrevy, Richard Hopper from the benefice of St Gluvias, John Sell from the benefice of Carbis Bay and Lelant and David Watters from the benefice of St Germans were all given permission to officiate for the first time during Saturday’s service.

Recognition of four readers’ long service and their contribution to reader ministry was also to be part of the service. Warren Nichols has spent 50 years as a reader. Gloria Street and Alan Coode have both given 40 years and Peter Waterfield will be recognised for his 25 years of reader ministry.