What followed was a very fulfilling, full time ministry as a Chaplain at the Northern General
Hospital from 1996 to 2007. She is convinced that God has his hand on all of us and leads us
all on a daily basis to love and serve him and each other and believes that the working out of
this in large ways and small is our destiny in which God’s Spirit is the major player.
Though now officially retired, Jeni helps out at St Mary’s, does some voluntary chaplaincy
work at Weston Park Hospital, and some spiritual direction. She also enjoys being a Grandma
very much indeed. Now and again John is heard to ask, tongue in cheek, “When did you say
you were retiring?”
Hospital from 1996 to 2007. She is convinced that God has his hand on all of us and leads us
all on a daily basis to love and serve him and each other and believes that the working out of
this in large ways and small is our destiny in which God’s Spirit is the major player.
Though now officially retired, Jeni helps out at St Mary’s, does some voluntary chaplaincy
work at Weston Park Hospital, and some spiritual direction. She also enjoys being a Grandma
very much indeed. Now and again John is heard to ask, tongue in cheek, “When did you say
you were retiring?”
| The Ministry Team at St Mary's |
Reader: Pat Clarke
Pat has worshipped at St Mary’s since 1986. It was the prayers and
encouragement of friends and the challenge of a powerful sermon on
obedience that made her realise that God was nudging her in the
direction of Reader ministry. She began Reader Training in
September 1991. Her husband Bryan died just as her 2nd year of
training finished. The final year was a struggle but held by the
prayers and support of many people, and God’s strength and
enabling, she did get through that final year and was licensed in
Pat has worshipped at St Mary’s since 1986. It was the prayers and
encouragement of friends and the challenge of a powerful sermon on
obedience that made her realise that God was nudging her in the
direction of Reader ministry. She began Reader Training in
September 1991. Her husband Bryan died just as her 2nd year of
training finished. The final year was a struggle but held by the
prayers and support of many people, and God’s strength and
enabling, she did get through that final year and was licensed in
Reader: Stephanie Dale
Stephanie has worshipped at St. Mary’s for the last seventeen years,
and was licensed as a Reader in September 2006. She is married
with two grown-up children. Stephanie has recently retired from
full time work, having spent part of her working life teaching in
secondary schools and in adult education, and more recently in
running a small dressmaking and alterations business in
Ecclesfield. She still uses her teacher training and craft skills,
offering help and ideas for children’s activities at St. Mary’s and
Stephanie has worshipped at St. Mary’s for the last seventeen years,
and was licensed as a Reader in September 2006. She is married
with two grown-up children. Stephanie has recently retired from
full time work, having spent part of her working life teaching in
secondary schools and in adult education, and more recently in
running a small dressmaking and alterations business in
Ecclesfield. She still uses her teacher training and craft skills,
offering help and ideas for children’s activities at St. Mary’s and
Reader Emeritus: Norma Priest
My name is Norma Priest and I am married to Arthur. I have two
married daughters and two grandsons. I am a retired teacher. My
training for leadership in the church began in my twenties working
with children and has progressed through many committees until I
was encouraged to train for Reader. I was admitted in June 1986 and
have enjoyed my work in my parish as well as around the Diocese
My name is Norma Priest and I am married to Arthur. I have two
married daughters and two grandsons. I am a retired teacher. My
training for leadership in the church began in my twenties working
with children and has progressed through many committees until I
was encouraged to train for Reader. I was admitted in June 1986 and
have enjoyed my work in my parish as well as around the Diocese
Pastoral Worker: Stephanie Hartshorne
Stephanie Hartshorne was born in Sheffield and brought up in the Firth
Park area. In 1962 she joined the Sheffield City Police Force and met her
husband Ian in the beat room. After their marriage they moved to
Ecclesfield and Stephanie has been a member of Ecclesfield Church for
the past 38 years. In those years she has seen many changes and has
been involved in all aspects of church life from cleaning brasses to
taking communion to the sick and housebound – Things that easily
come to mind are the Monday club
Stephanie Hartshorne was born in Sheffield and brought up in the Firth
Park area. In 1962 she joined the Sheffield City Police Force and met her
husband Ian in the beat room. After their marriage they moved to
Ecclesfield and Stephanie has been a member of Ecclesfield Church for
the past 38 years. In those years she has seen many changes and has
been involved in all aspects of church life from cleaning brasses to
taking communion to the sick and housebound – Things that easily
come to mind are the Monday club
Pastoral Worker: Pat Wood
Pat was born in Leeds and came to live in Ecclesfield in 1999. During
her life she has moved around the country and consequently has
worshipped in many different churches and communities with
different traditions and types of worship. Pat is most at home in the
kitchen and the garden – cleaning, baking and weeding. These tasks
she does happily and without thinking but God always seems to have
other ideas. About 1995 Pat was asked to consider the pastoral
workers course – she describes the feeling of shock and panic as she
Pat was born in Leeds and came to live in Ecclesfield in 1999. During
her life she has moved around the country and consequently has
worshipped in many different churches and communities with
different traditions and types of worship. Pat is most at home in the
kitchen and the garden – cleaning, baking and weeding. These tasks
she does happily and without thinking but God always seems to have
other ideas. About 1995 Pat was asked to consider the pastoral
workers course – she describes the feeling of shock and panic as she
Readers and Pastoral Workers
Readers are lay people in the Church of England, from all walks of life, who are called by
God, theologically trained and licensed by the Bishop of a diocese to preach, teach and lead
worship in a pastoral context. Most are licensed to a parish but some are chaplains in prisons,
hospitals, hospices or schools. Readers give their services to the church so do not receive
payment. Readers are supported by a Warden of Readers and a Secretary in each diocese.
Pastoral Workers are lay people who are called by God, trained and licensed to work in
pastoral ministry in a voluntary capacity. This means work in the fellowship of the church
and in the church's many contacts with people at important parts of their lives. That usually
means involvement in pastoral care and visiting, including contacts through baptism,
weddings, bereavement and illness and in enabling others to work in these areas. It may also
include taking Holy Communion to the sick or housebound.
Readers are lay people in the Church of England, from all walks of life, who are called by
God, theologically trained and licensed by the Bishop of a diocese to preach, teach and lead
worship in a pastoral context. Most are licensed to a parish but some are chaplains in prisons,
hospitals, hospices or schools. Readers give their services to the church so do not receive
payment. Readers are supported by a Warden of Readers and a Secretary in each diocese.
Pastoral Workers are lay people who are called by God, trained and licensed to work in
pastoral ministry in a voluntary capacity. This means work in the fellowship of the church
and in the church's many contacts with people at important parts of their lives. That usually
means involvement in pastoral care and visiting, including contacts through baptism,
weddings, bereavement and illness and in enabling others to work in these areas. It may also
include taking Holy Communion to the sick or housebound.
in local schools. ‘Reader training proved to be quite a challenge,’ Stephanie admits, ‘and
something I had never really considered until I was encouraged to try it. I did find the course
very interesting, and I do enjoy being a part of the team here at St. Mary’s but, of course, it is
an on-going challenge and a continuous learning process. It is never too late to try something
different, and I would encourage anyone to look beyond their comfort zone. You may surprise
yourself!
something I had never really considered until I was encouraged to try it. I did find the course
very interesting, and I do enjoy being a part of the team here at St. Mary’s but, of course, it is
an on-going challenge and a continuous learning process. It is never too late to try something
different, and I would encourage anyone to look beyond their comfort zone. You may surprise
yourself!
which she ran for choir children and the fun they had at the skating rink when she couldn’t
stand up. Stephanie feels very held by God and is grateful for all he has done and shown her
in her life, she was authorised as a Pastoral Worker in 1995
stand up. Stephanie feels very held by God and is grateful for all he has done and shown her
in her life, she was authorised as a Pastoral Worker in 1995
realised that God helped her to visit the sick, bereaved and help with Pathfinders and Sunday
School. She agreed to go on the course and loved every minute of it – she found it very
interesting and varied and found the confidence to do the things she feels that God is asking her
to do. Pat says she still panics, has the jitters and makes mistakes but knows that God is always
with her and helping her – if she could only be still and listen.
School. She agreed to go on the course and loved every minute of it – she found it very
interesting and varied and found the confidence to do the things she feels that God is asking her
to do. Pat says she still panics, has the jitters and makes mistakes but knows that God is always
with her and helping her – if she could only be still and listen.
September 1994. She retired from full time work 3 years ago having spent all of her working
life in the legal profession as a Legal Executive. Not having children of their own Pat and
Bryan felt truly blessed in their work with Pathfinder Youth Groups, and for Pat that blessing
continues as she assists with Baptism preparation.
life in the legal profession as a Legal Executive. Not having children of their own Pat and
Bryan felt truly blessed in their work with Pathfinder Youth Groups, and for Pat that blessing
continues as she assists with Baptism preparation.
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| St Mary’s is in interregnum Our vicar has retired and we are seeking a new vicar to lead our church community. Please check the Weekly Notices page over the coming weeks to find out what is happening, services will continue as usual. |
Revd. Jeni Fryer Retd
Jeni is married to John and they have three children, a son in law
and daughter in law and two grandchildren. She is grateful that all
are now local, so family life is very busy and enjoyable.
Firstly a Reader in 1986 then came ordination which took place in
1992. She served her curacy at St Mary’s but very soon her call to
the hospital was recognised and she began work part time at the
Royal Hallamshire Hospital and later Weston Park Hospital
alongside working at St Mary’s as Curate.
Jeni is married to John and they have three children, a son in law
and daughter in law and two grandchildren. She is grateful that all
are now local, so family life is very busy and enjoyable.
Firstly a Reader in 1986 then came ordination which took place in
1992. She served her curacy at St Mary’s but very soon her call to
the hospital was recognised and she began work part time at the
Royal Hallamshire Hospital and later Weston Park Hospital
alongside working at St Mary’s as Curate.