MAY I take this opportunity to wish Mrs Shepherd and her colleagues every blessing as they prepare to be ordained as local ministers in the Church of England.

However, I ask this question: why did the church demand Mrs Shepherd do the full course and not give her dispensation for her years of training and study as a Reader in the Church of England, as well as her commitment and service?.

That says an awful lot about the attitude the church has towards its Readers, all of whom have undergone years of study and training before being licensed by the Bishop as are clergy.

Readers give commitment, service and loyalty to God and the Church, day in, day out. There are something like 10,000 of them in the Church of England, many highly-trained, gifted and devoted individuals without whose contribution the church couldn't function as it does.

Michael Wyatt

Tintern Avenue, Whitefield