TWO churchgoers from the Swindon area helped make history when they were licensed as Readers in the Church of England.
Katy Bell, of St Sampson's, Cricklade, and Phil Bradley, of St Michael's, Highworth, were among the first six lay people to be licensed as church Readers after taking part in a joint pilot scheme involving the Church of England and the Methodist Church.
The Bishop of Bristol, the Right Reverend Mike Hill, officiated at the ceremony at Bristol Cathedral and, in the spirit of co-operation between the two churches, the Methodist district chairman, the Rev Ward Jones, presented the certificates.
Readers are lay people who are trained to lead worship and preach.
Licensed at the same ceremony, but having completed the traditional Church of England training, were Janet Dones, of St Augustine's in Even Swindon, Sue Vaughan, of Christ Church, Swindon, and Malcolm Ward, of St Leonard's, Blunsdon.
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