The Church of England is actively seeking more people from a UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) background to serve as ministers and lay leaders within the church. To grow the number of people taking up vocations in our diocese, the Revd Stuart Batten, Diocesan Director of Ordinands is looking to encourage and develop the vocations with people from all backgrounds and we are pleased to announce that we have appointed the Revd Kiran Lotay as our UKME Vocations Champion.
Stuart Batten says ”To be welcoming, open and accessible to all, it is recognised that there can be specific difficulties faced by people of minority ethnicities. I want Suffolk to offer opportunities to everyone, so we can grow the number of people coming forward to train for all our vocation ministries. I am delighted that Kiran Lotay will be our first UKME champion specifically addressing these challenges”.
Kiran will work with new candidates from UKME backgrounds as they explore their vocation. He will be offering pastoral support and mentoring to candidates, helping them deal with any specific barriers that they face. In addition, Kiran will be working alongside church communities who want to make vocations accessible to all. He can offer explanations of the types of difficulties faced, help churches explore vocations options and help them navigate the issues relating to UKME. Kiran is available for either a quick chat on Zoom or over the phone, or he could visit your PCC meeting or deanery synod.
Kiran says “I am offering to accompany anyone from a UKME background as they explore what God might be calling them to do, discerning with them what the next steps towards their vocation might be, and resourcing them as they find their place in the family of God. Generating an awareness with church communities is key and I am looking forward to supporting those who wish to develop a positive and open vocations culture in their church community. My greatest desire is to see that no gift is withheld, either from the Church or from those who wish to serve in it. ”
Fostering a culture in which the vocation of each and every member of the Church, regardless of background, can be identified, nurtured and celebrated will enable the whole Church to grow and flourish.
For further information
UKME Vocations leaflet | PDF
If you would like to get in touch with Kiran please email UKMEvocationschampion@cofesuffolk.org