What is an LPA (Lay Pastoral Assistant) Lay Pastoral Assistants are people within the Church who are trained and authorised to engage in Pastoral Ministry on behalf of the local church working as part of a team of clergy or laity. Duties may involve:-visiting people at home or in hospital, working with children and young people, visiting and supporting the recently bereaved. They might also help and support those preparing for Baptism Confirmation and Marriage. Their role can also include administering Holy Communion to people in their homes or in hospital. My Journey Following a couple of surgical visits, I came away believing that I need to use my time wisely and give something back to the Church. After speaking to Father Tony Longdon, he suggested why not become a Lay Pastoral Assistant. With further research I set on my journey. Firstly, with Tony’s help I prepared for Confirmation which was held along with 65 others in Salisbury Cathedral on the 2nd of November 2024. Next came the ten-week LPA course itself and this was set up by Rev Jake Eggertsen of St James’ Church Trowbridge. He managed to persuade two lovely ladies to help and lead me through the course and my continuous journey. The course covering may subjects and quite in–depth discussion. I successfully completed the course on 20th March 2025. This leads to completing the initial process which is a Commissioning Service to be held at St Mary’s Church Steeple Ashton on 25th May at 6.30pm. Why not come along? Nigel Brown
