DFEMA
last updated on: 21st Feb 2011
We seek to raise the profile and participation of Minority Ethnic Anglicans in parishes and local communities within the Diocese of Leicester and beyond.
Who we are?
The Diocesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglican (DFEMA) is a committee of the bishops' Council and is accountable to the Diocesan synod through the bishop’s council and by representation on the bishop’s council and the diocesan synod are involved in the decision making in the diocese of Leicester.
Institutional Racism
“The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin which can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behavior which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantages minority ethnic people."
From the Macpherson report
DFEMA Mission Statement
We are committed to promoting racial justice within the Diocese of Leicester. We are committed to including minority ethnic people in the life, worship, mission and ministry of the Diocese and the wider church. We are committed to ensuring that the Diocese has policies and procedures in place to encourage and support the inclusion and active participation of members of ethnic minority groups in the life of the Diocese.
Why we do it?
The General Synod believes there should be a reflection of minority ethnic Anglicans at all levels within the church, acknowledging that we are all part of the body of Christ "made in the image of God, fully human." In this way the contribution of every part of the body is valued, recognised and supported
How we do it ?
• Encouraging minority ethnic vocations across the churches of the diocese of Leicester.
• Helping diocese to develop programmes to foster ethnic vocations within the Church by closely working with the Ministry Department.
• Promoting understanding of racism, racial issues and cultural diversity.
• Resourcing the diocese, the bishops, clergy and churches through advice and producing resources.
• Helping Church address institutional racism.
• Liaising with other organisations committed to the elimination of racism and supporting cultural understanding
The principal tasks of the Diocesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglicans (DFEMA) will be to monitor issues arising or which ought to arise, in the context of the work of the Bishop’s Council, the Diocesan Synod, the Diocesan Board of Education and their committees and working groups, as far as they have policy implications for minority ethnic groups within the Diocese of Leicester and the wider community. The Committee is asked to pursue its work in close collaboration and partnership with the bodies concerned and their staffs, reporting in the first instance to Bishop’s Council and, as appropriate, to the Diocesan Synod.
Under these terms of reference the work of the Forum includes:
i) Monitoring and making recommendations concerning issues which arise for minority ethnic Anglicans in the context of the work of the Bishop’s Council, the Diocesan Synod and Board of Education and their committees and working groups.
ii) Considering the membership, programmes and structures of the Bishop’s Council, the Diocesan Synod, and Board of Education and their committees and working groups and providing advice and guidance with a view to supporting efforts for racial justice.
iii) Acting as a support and resource group for minority ethnic members of the Diocese of Leicester, Diocesan Synod and Board of Education and their committees and working groups.
iv) Acting as a stimulus, support and resource point for similar work in Bishop’s Council, Diocesan Synod and Board of Education and their committees and working groups, and monitoring such work.
v) Assisting the bishop and assistant bishop in developing diocesan wide strategies for combating racial bias within the church; encouraging them to make the problems of racism a priority concern in their programmes, and to circulate the best analyses of racism – including theological analyses and other data helpful for information and education.
vi) Seeking the development and empowerment of minority ethnic Anglicans, and in particular fostering and encouraging vocations within the Diocese of Leicester.
vii) In collaboration with the Churches Together in Leicestershire, monitoring and strengthening relationships with the Churches with a preponderance of minority ethnic members, and with the minority ethnic agencies of the historic ‘mainstream’ Churches of this country.
viii) Liaising with the Community and Urban Affairs Committee within the Social Responsibility Directorate and with ecumenical and other agencies concerned with the elimination of racial injustice.
ix) Providing for the Bishop’s Council details about the Committee’s work to be incorporated in the Bishop’s Council’s Annual Report to the Diocesan Synod.
What you can do?
Help us to promote diversity which is the concern of the universal church because we are all created in the image of God. You can encourage members of your parish and deanery to participate and be involved in all levels of our diocesan life and make it a church which reflects God’s colourful and diverse creation.
Contact us
The Chair
DFEMA
St Martins House
7 Peacock Lane
Leicester
LE1 5PZ
t: +44(0)7782169987
javaid.iqbal@leccofe.org
The Secretary
Mrs. Pat Ward
T: 0116 2442935
pat@thomasward.plus.com
The Vice Chair
Rev. Leonard Hughes
Tel. 0116 2207314
Or visit the website
www.leicester.anglican.org/dfema
