Kara Gander – Ordination on Sunday 30 June 2024 @ 10:45 in Derby Cathedral

My heart ached for those who faced barriers in their relationship with God, and I knew I had to take action. I saw the ways in which the church was discriminating against those who thought differently, behaved differently, and worshipped differently, and I felt God prompting me to do something. I was frustrated with how people in the past had been disempowered, and I was determined to find a way to dismantle these barriers and rebuild a more inclusive community. That’s when I realised that formal ministerial training was the best route to equip myself for this important work.

Through my ministry, I have come to understand the power of forgiveness and absolution, and how it can truly transform lives. It is this gift of pronouncing God’s absolution that comes with priestly ministry that has led me to pursue ordination. I am excited to come alongside those who find themselves on the edge of church, community, and society, and to help them flourish as individuals. I believe that by working together, we can bring about positive change in the structures that have left them feeling excluded.

My passions lie in working with LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and those who have mental health needs, and I am committed to developing the skills required to communicate with sign-language users. I believe that everyone deserves to feel seen and heard, and I am dedicated to using my ministry to make sure that happens.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, and I look forward to the journey ahead. I am finishing my training at Trinity College Bristol and live in Milton Keynes with my husband Ben and three children. I have previously worked in fashion and boardgame sales and distribution when we lived in London previously.

As a family we enjoy strategic boardgames, Lego and outdoor activities.

[Content previously published on the Diocese of Derby website]