{"id":100180,"date":"2021-03-09T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T14:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=100180"},"modified":"2021-03-09T05:58:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T10:58:11","slug":"bbc-the-rev-yvonne-clarke-first-black-female-deacon-fights-to-save-parish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=100180","title":{"rendered":"(BBC) The Rev. Yvonne Clarke–First black female deacon fights to save parish"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first black woman to become a deacon in the Church of England is fighting to keep her parish open.<\/p>\n

The Reverend Yvonne Clarke became a deacon in 1987 and was among the first women ordained as a priest in 1994.<\/p>\n

Her south London parish of All Saints Shirley, in Southwark Diocese, which is also her home, is earmarked to close under plans to reduce financial pressures.<\/p>\n

The diocese said it had not come to the decision “lightly”.<\/p>\n

Ms Clarke said no-one had consulted with her about her future “in an appropriate way”.<\/p>\n

“Instead, I have been informed about what will happen to me, that the changes will mean I lose my vocation and my home,” she said.<\/p>\n

“It has been my mission to ensure that immigrants and children of immigrants to the area have been welcomed into the church.<\/p>\n

“I work with the diverse community and I have brought a wider group of worshippers to the church.”<\/p>\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/t.co\/7eY2oO3e96<\/a><\/p>\n

— Carib Intelligence (@Caribintelligen) March 9, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n