Our Lay Readers
A Lay Reader is a person who reads the lessons and assists the priest during the services. In our diocese, apart from the reading of lessons, Lay Readers are licenced by the Diocesan Bishop to read the services of the Church such as Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and the Burial office.
Learn more about Dr Banks
Dr Oluwakemi Linda Banks
From my childhood years I have been concerned about the spiritual and psychological growth of persons and have therefore chosen to be engaged in occupations that enhance that development. This has led to my involvement in the work of the church from my youth to adulthood as a member of the AYPA, choir and church women's group (ACWA) and being an organist, Sunday school teacher, lay reader and Chalice administrator to involvement in the ecumenical movement as a member of the Continuation Committee and presently President of the Caribbean Conference of churches (CCC).
My vision statement which I declared at a conference in Atlanta Georgia in 1987 is "I am the possibility of universal transformation through spiritual leadership in a world manifesting the beauty and the glory of the creator" . I believe that God has created each individual to serve him by being change agents to bring persons into a closer relationship with Him.
In my personal life persons have challenged me about my support of the "underdog" and my daily celebration of my African heritage. However, my professions as a clinical psychologist, Human resource development consultant, communication specialist and educator have provided me with the sacred privilege to minister to the needs of those who are psychologically and spiritually wounded by their present life experiences and the historical experiences of the enslavement process.
In the wider community I have also reached out to prepare children to create a better world by founding a school based on the concept of "Omololu" a Yoruba word for child of God. This means that, as children are a gift from God and are the summit of our aspirations, it is our God-given responsibility to nurture them so that they would see themselves as they are "supreme gifts of God's creation".
My chosen and given names: Oluwakemi - "God is blessing me" Mildred- "Gentle Counsellor" Linda - "God is protecting me"and the name of my only child - a daughter - Olufunmike - "God has given me this to take care of" are a constant reminder that I owe everything to God.
I therefore view serving God in the church as a lay reader and Chalice administrator as the epitome of my service in His vineyard and I feel privileged that God has chosen me for these awesome responsibilities.
Chrispen received his spiritual grounding as a child when he attended church regularly with his mother. She insisted that he and his siblings become members of the Sunday school.
Chrispen wanted to be more involved, therefore, once confirmed he became an acolyte and served in that capacity diligently for many years. As a teenager he joined the Anglican Young Peoples Association (A.Y.P.A.), an organization that provided stimulus for spiritual and social development through its activities that centred around the principles of worship, work, fellowship and edification. There is no doubt that active involvement in the church increased his interest in serving at a different level, hence his becoming a lay Reader. Chrispen is also a Chalice Bearer.
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Mr Gumbs, who is a Police Officer, is married to Diane Gumbs. They have two sons, Damarai and Deandre.
Insp. Chrispen Gumbs
