new readers begin their ministry in southwark

24 October 2007

At a service using the theme of 'Home' in Southwark Cathedral on Monday 22 October, 8 new Readers were Admitted and Licensed and a further two were re-licensed by Nick Baines, Bishop of Croydon.

The Ven. Christopher Skilton, Archdeacon of Lambeth - who led the Readers' pre-licensing retreat at Wychcroft - spoke about the concept of 'home' and the fact that one of the more profound emotions that Readers felt was of 'being found and brought home'. He also said that Readers particularly brought a mix of home, work and community to their ministry.

During his address Christopher invited the Readers to open an envelope under their chairs which contained a postcard of Picasso's 'The Old Guitarist', which the Archdeacon said had been painted by Picasso during his ‘Blue Period’ when he was living in France and symbolised the severity of the life he found away from his home.

The new Readers Admitted and Licensed were:
Denis Barrow (Barnes, Holy Trinity)
Martin Corner (Kingston, All Saints w St John)
Anthony Geater (Surbiton, St Matthew)
Ursula Hodges (Putney, St Mary)
Stella Mitchell (Lee, St Mildred)
Caroline Ogden (Kidbrooke, St Nicholas)
Marion Watson (Lewisham, St Mary)
Joanna Winn-Smith (Blackheath, All Saints)