The Revd Sharon Ferguson has been appointed as the new Assistant Chief Executive of LGCM. She will take up this new post in December.
Michael Egan, the chair of LGCM’s trustees said he had been delighted to appoint Sharon to the new post and looked forward to working with her especially as the next year promises to be an important one for the Movement: "Sharon's commitment to justice and equality, and her experience in work and in ministry as a lesbian Christian, came through very strongly in the appointment process," he said.
The Revd Richard Kirker, LGCM Chief Executive also welcomed the appointment of such an experienced candidate: "Sharon brings a wide variety of skills to the post. She has a proven record as a successful manager in the voluntary sector and exceptional experience of a wide range of discrimination issues that will be highly relevant. She also has degrees in Theology and Psychology which she will find invaluable while dealing with our opponents. Her journey of faith and experience of a range of Christian traditions will also prove invaluable."
A photograph of The Revd Sharon Ferguson is available below (click on the image to open a high-resolution version suitable for print).
If you would like an interview contact the press officer, Martin Reynolds.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Press Officer
Martin Reynolds
Tel: + 44 (0)1633 215841
Email: martin.reynolds1@virgin.net
Photo
Autobiography - Sharon Ferguson
I was born in Southall, Middlesex where my family owned several businesses. We moved to Kent when I was 5 years. I am the only girl and the second child in the family. I have three natural brothers and an adopted brother and a foster brother who has been part of the family for 30 years. Both my adopted and foster brothers have disabilities. I was brought up in an extended family living with my maternal Grandmother and aunt and occasionally my maternal uncle and his wife. My parents were divorced when I was 13 and my father died in 2000.
I attended an all girls grammar school to age 16 and then went to the local Technical College for 2 years. I have 7 ‘O’Levels, 2 ‘A’ Levels, a BSc (Hons) Psychology from the Open University, and a BA (Hons) Theology and MA Psychology of Religion from Heythrop College. I am BSL proficient and currently completing Level 2.
I have been a member of MCC for 10 years but attended Baptist church during teens and prior to joining MCC tried out various denominations. I am currently the Assistant Pastor at North London and on the faculty for the development of new clergy. I started up the small group ministry with the vision to have groups all around London so no-one has to travel for more than 20 minutes. I am a member of the choir and started up a BSL choir - Holy Hands.
I have worked in schools, day centres, residential homes, hospitals, offices and prisons. I have worked with disabled children and adults, the elderly, prisoners, the general public, people with mental health problems and Deaf children and adults.
I have been with my partner, Jen, for 8 years and we had a Holy Union 7 years ago at MCC South London. We recently bought a house in South East London where we live with our small dog and 3 fish.
I have both a logical and creative side to my personality. I love art and music and creating my own knitting patterns and DIY. I relish logic puzzles especially all the Japanese ones like Hitori and Sudoku. I read science fantasy novels for pure escapism.
I have known God all my life and as a young child would pester my mother to let me go to Sunday School. I started attending the local Presbyterian Church and when that was demolished I transferred to the Baptist Church where I taught Sunday School and became a Staff Sergeant in the Boys Brigade. It was only in 2000 that I finally gave in to the call to ordained ministry and gave up my job to attend university to gain a Theology degree and complete the ordination process within UFMCC. I was approved for ordination in June 2004 and had my ordination ceremony in February 2005.
What I bring to LGCM
I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Richard to steer LGCM through its next phase. This is an exciting time with the many debates on human sexuality within the main denominations currently receiving much attention. Although LGCM has come a long way in its 30 years of existence, its core aims and objectives and statement are still as needed and as valid today as it was in 1977. I will be working towards the time when organisations like LGCM are no longer needed. When the Church has learnt to embrace the full diversity of God's wonderful creation. When all people regardless of how they express their sexuality are treated as equal members of the body of Christ. When all people regardless of whatever label they place on their gender identity or sexual orientation will be recognised as being made in God’s image and declared ‘good’. I look forward to making myself redundant!
Richard Kirker
Chief Executive
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement [LGCM]
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London, E2 6HG
Office Tel & Fax 020 7739 1249
www.lgcm.org.uk
lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
Registered
Charity No 1048842.
