From Mr Richard Hough
Sir, — I was very sorry to see that the report Reader Upbeat (News, 27 June) proposes the renaming of Readers as “licensed lay ministers”.
The title of licensed lay minister was introduced into this diocese some three years ago. In my experience as a Reader, it has caused nothing but confusion, particularly as ALMs (authorised lay ministers) were introduced at the same time. I even had to explain to a churchwarden in another parish what it was all about. I have yet to hear any convincing argument for changing the title.
The title of Reader perhaps does not convey an adequate idea of the wide-ranging scope of Reader ministry, but it is an ancient and honourable title dating back more than 400 years. People in the pews and those who are not regular churchgoers are well used to it.
A while ago, the Post Office decided to rebrand itself as Consignia plc, but soon realised that this was a serious mistake. Let us not follow its example.
RICHARD HOUGH
138 Hartford Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE29 1XQ
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