Portsmouth mum qualifies as church reader following breast cancer treatment

A WOMAN’S journey with cancer has brought her closer to God and taken her on a new adventure.
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Mandy Hollingsworth, 48, from Portsmouth, is on her way to becoming a licensed reader despite facing multiple complications along the way.

A reader is a lay minister who will lead church services, preach, and offer pastoral support.

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After the loss of her father to cancer, Mandy found her relationship with God increase after spending a couple of years away from the church.

Church reader to be, Mandy Hollingsworth. Picture: C of E Diocese of PortsmouthChurch reader to be, Mandy Hollingsworth. Picture: C of E Diocese of Portsmouth
Church reader to be, Mandy Hollingsworth. Picture: C of E Diocese of Portsmouth
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It wasn’t until getting her daughter, now 21, baptised that she realised she wanted to attend regularly, going to St George’s Church in Portsea.

‘Everyone was so down to earth and friendly,’ she said.

‘I had been baptised as a child and had attended Sunday school for a short time but that had been the extent of my church experience.’

It wasn’t until her second year studying as a trainee reader that Mandy received the news of her breast cancer diagnosis but it was a vision from God that kept her from worrying.

This faith is what kept her going, she said.

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She said: ‘I had a vision of God holding his hands out for me.

‘I think the illness actually deepened my faith.

‘They caught it early, so I had surgery and didn’t need chemotherapy.’

When asked by the Rev Belinda Davis if she considered becoming a reader she was apprehensive, but took on the challenge.

Since then it has proven a worthwhile venture, giving her more confidence in herself.

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She has now also joined the congregation at St Mary’s Church in Fratton where she will be serving as a reader and has hopes of making a difference in the lives of others.

‘I wasn’t really sure, as I don’t like doing things that make me the centre of attention,' she said.

‘I hope the fact that I’m official makes me approachable. I have already preached some sermons despite previously not wanting to.

‘I am looking forward to being able to help people.’

Mandy will be licensed as a reader by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Right Reverend Christopher Foster.

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