As you are aware we have been, for as long as anyone can remember, called the Readers Association of the Diocese of Peterborough. Each diocese of the Church of England has a Diocesan Readers Association (sometimes a Diocesan Readers Board). These were originally formed by Readers and often included clergy and occasionally a bishop. They were established to focus upon Reader training, admission of new Readers and the day-to-day running of Reader Ministry. Over the years some of the functions of the Readers Association, such as training new Readers, have been passed over to the diocese training team.
Just before lockdown Bishop Donald approached me and asked me if I would convene the Readers of the Diocese into a Community. A fresh start was proposed by Bishop Donald and so The Blue Scarf Community came into being. His intention was really a sort of rebranding of the Peterborough Diocesan Readers Association into something a little more 21st century.
From a slightly tricky start (due to the impact of the Covid Pandemic) The Blue Scarf Community has become an active support for Readers. Using online talks during lockdown to engage with other and more recently the Saturday morning Face to Face get-togethers such as those at Farrar House, St Aidan’s Northampton, and St Mary’s Burton Latimer.
This year, the Reader Council have been building a website. It is envisaged that it will be a resource with information, news, articles, and ideas. You will see attached the flyer for it (you may have received one already as I distributed some at the recent Lay Celebration Day at the Cathedral). It is a resource for us all but also for those wanting to know more about Reader ministry in the diocese of Peterborough.
We are currently looking for content. So, if you would like to write an article or share an event, an idea or something of interest such as news about a pilgrimage or retreat you have been on, then this is a place to do just that. So far, I have four articles to start with submitted by a variety of Readers and others. I hope you might be interested in adding something if you can.
