On Saturday 19th September 2026, I had the privilege of being licensed as a Lay Reader, alongside six other Readers, at Lichfield Cathedral — a truly special moment in a truly remarkable place. The service, A Celebration of Reader Ministry with the Admission of New Readers, was led by Bishop Michael, who is retiring this month, and it was an honour to be part of one of his final services. Standing in that magnificent cathedral, surrounded by a full congregation, the sense of history, calling, and shared ministry was almost overwhelming. It was a day filled with gratitude, encouragement, and a deep awareness of God’s presence. Being called by God means following Christ — walking gently, serving faithfully, and learning as we go. I’ve been nurtured along the way by my church family, for which I am very thankful.

But nothing about this journey has been simple. I was reminded of that during a special benefice service at St Luke’s, Hodnet, where the theme was living in the present, and I was interviewed about my path towards licensing. We talked about my first year at Queen’s College — the academic assignments, the discernment interviews, the preaching assessment — all of it stretching, searching, and shaping. Each part of the process has been demanding, yet all of it has drawn me deeper into discipleship and into the calling to share the Good News.

In all the excitement of preparing and writing the assignments, I’ve noticed God’s presence most clearly when I stop striving to ‘get everything right’.

‘Present to the learning, present to the people around me, present to the moment itself.

Trying to get a good grade is part of the goal, but being present is far more important. It allows me to grow spiritually, and it keeps me grounded alongside my fellow Readers who are on the same journey and facing the same challenges. Studying part‑time while working full‑time, and serving as a Church Warden, can sometimes feel overwhelming and unmanageable. But I know none of this would be possible without the presence of God — guiding decisions, steadying me through deadlines, and giving strength when it was most needed. Even the 6,000‑word assignment that had to be submitted before a holiday in Norfolk became a reminder that anything is possible with God. And yes — the assignment has been marked and passed!

I’m learning that challenges — the interruptions, the unexpected needs, the moments that pull me away from my plans — are often where real ministry begins.

Of course, none of this would be possible without making time for God in my life. Prayer is an important part of my training and daily village life. Finding time to pray — offering even a few quiet moments back to God — helps me stay centred amid the busyness and responsibilities that fill each day. I’m learning that prayer doesn’t always need to be long or elaborate; often it is simply the act of pausing, breathing, and acknowledging God’s presence in whatever moment I find myself.

I open the church every day at 7.00am before I go to work. This provides a moment to be present with God in the silence of the church, praying and reflecting on the day ahead, asking for God’s guidance. Prayer has become a steadying practice — a way of reconnecting with the deeper purpose behind my training and the ministry I’m growing into. It offers a space where I can take a breath, lay down the pressure to manage everything, and trust that God is already at work in the people I meet and the situations I face.

Living in the present means walking closely with God, who meets us with comfort and unbounding love as we face the pressures and responsibilities of daily life and ministry.

Denzal Evans

Lay Reader