LICENSED lay ministers (LLMs) across the Church of England can now be both warm and recognisable, thanks to the launch of a national hoodie by the Central Readers’ Council.

Building upon Bristol diocese’s initiative, the hoodie helps people to identify lay ministers when they are in a more informal setting and not wearing robes. The diocese said that it also gives lay ministers “the opportunity to share their faith outside of Church”.

One LLM from Bristol, Karen, said that her neighbour saw she was wearing her new hoodie and asked her about it: “I said, “It’s my uniform,” and I turned around to show him the symbol on the back. He responded that I was wasting my time, that there was nothing ‘up there’ and he pointed upwards. I said, ‘I agree with you. God’s not up there, he’s down here with us every day.’ That conversation only happened because I was wearing my hoodie.”

Another LLM, Steve, said that the hoodie inspired him to explore lay ministry after he identified someone wearing one, and asked them questions about it.

The national hoodie is for those who have been licensed under Canons E4–E6. It has the LLM symbol and C of E symbol emblazoned on the back, with a smaller emblem on the left breast.

The hoodie, available in “royal blue” to match Readers’ scarves, costs £30, and can be purchased online.

Bristol diocese said: “The prayer of those taking the step to launch the hoodies nationally is that they will contribute to making Licensed Lay Ministry / Reader Ministry more visible across the church and nation.”

layministry.org.uk/reader-llm-hoodies