Answering the Call: Pat Cansfield, Helen Bennett and Gail Rose Reflect on Becoming Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers
Gail Rose & Pat Cansfield
Three members of Mersey Synod, Helen Bennett, Pat Cansfield and Gail Rose have recently completed their training to become Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers (AALPs), a significant milestone in their journeys of faith. As they step into this new chapter of ministry, they reflect on the inspiration behind their call, the challenges and joys of training, and what they hope to bring to the churches they serve.
A Call to Serve in New Ways
For Pat, Helen and Gail, the path to becoming an AALP began with a nudge from God and encouragement from those around them.
Gail’s journey started with Stepwise. She observed the whole of the first Stepwise course and went on to be a full participant in the worship leader Stepwise course that followed. “The Mersey URC Synod Clerk, Rita Griffiths, invited me to observe a session, and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “That experience made me want to go deeper, and then the AALP route helped me realise how I could serve differently.”
Helen’s call came during Sacraments training at Luther King House. “I really, really enjoyed it,” she shared. “It made me ask what God might be asking of me, and how I could serve Him in a new or additional way.”
Pat’s call emerged after leading worship a few times in her own church. One Sunday, someone approached her afterwards and said, “That was a lovely service, it really connected with me today and has made me think about how to deal with a situation in my life, thank you.” In that moment, she recognised that God had guided her words to help that person. Realising that if she could touch even one life each week, she was doing what God was asking of her, she was inspired to go deeper, to explore Scripture more fully and to discover how its message speaks into today’s world for today’s people.
Learning, Growing, and Being Challenged
All found the training transformative, not just in terms of knowledge, but in community and spiritual growth.
Gail highlighted how the theological depth of the course opened her eyes to new perspectives. “The Old Testament sessions stood out, learning about different creation stories and thinking about what existed before Genesis. It changed how I read the Bible. I now look at it through different lenses, feminist, narrative, theological, and I’ve become more aware of the context, who it was written for and how we interpret it today.”
Helen found the greatest impact came from the people she met along the way. “The brilliant people I’ve met, on the course and in our churches, have inspired me. Hearing their stories and seeing how churches are sharing the Gospel across Mersey Synod has been amazing.”
She also spoke honestly about the tough moments. “There were times when I had to lean fully on God and trust that He had me and the situations I was in. But the support I received, from my mentor Kathryn and from fellow students like Pat and Gail, was incredible.”
Gail echoed that sense of growth. “The course has helped build my confidence as a preacher. Even when we ran out of time in sessions, I still took so much from it. It’s not just about learning, it’s about transformation.”
For Pat, the course became a spiritual journey that reshaped her understanding of the Bible and challenged her to think differently about how to share it with others. She discovered new ways of helping congregations connect Scripture with their everyday lives. Alongside this, she valued the learning and encouragement she received from her fellow students, and found that her own faith deepened, especially through her personal devotions and prayers.
A Sense of Purpose and a Heart for Community
For all three women, becoming accredited isn’t about a title, it’s about being ready to serve.
“Spiritually and personally, it’s about continuing to learn and deepening my faith,” said Helen. “It’s a call to serve God and support His work in local communities.”
Gail agreed. “I want people to know the church is more than a building, it’s the people. If I can help even one person feel God’s love through preaching, it’s worth it.”
Pat added that her ministry is not only about leading worship but also about serving her community. She has become more confident in sharing her faith with others, and she recognises that her journey has helped her grow spiritually while also encouraging those she meets along the way.
Looking Ahead with Faith and Hope
Now accredited, Pat, Helen and Gail are excited to step into new opportunities, particularly preaching in churches beyond their home congregations.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know more church families across the Synod,” said Helen. “It’s a joy and a responsibility.”
Gail added, “Thanks to Rita and Jenny, I’ve had the confidence to preach in Wigan, St Helens, Peasley Cross, and at Open Table. I’m excited about meeting new congregations, including different age groups, and bringing creativity and challenge to worship.”
Pat reflected that ministry is not just about looking back at traditions, but also about looking forward with faith and hope. She is eager to visit other churches and communities across the Synod, confident that God will use her to help draw others closer to Him through faith, hope and love.
Emma Howarth, Training & Development Officer said:
"It has been a privilege to witness the journey that Gail, Helen and Pat have gone on over the last two years. Being willing to listen, say yes and letting God change you and form you is daunting, but each of them did exactly that. To re-iterate what they have said, becoming accredited isn’t about a title, it’s about being ready to serve. Maybe there are others in the Mersey churches who have heard God's call but are a bit unsure about what to do about it. I would like to encourage anyone who thinks that this might be them to get in touch and talk to me. We can explore this together.”
Their journeys show how lay preachers can bring fresh voices, deep faith, and a strong sense of mission to local churches. They also remind us that God's call can come in many ways and often begins with simply saying "yes" to something new.
For further information and training opportunities please contact:
Emma Howarth, Training & Development Officer
trainingofficer@urcmerseysynod.org.uk