Revd Martin Burrell
My ordained ministry began in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Ò•îl with a curacy at St Mary Bredin, Canterbury and was followed by ten years as vicar of Cranbrook, where my work with the local English Romani community began.
Having written up my experiences in “The Pure in Heart - An Epistle from the Romanies” - 2009, I moved on to lead a parish in Luton. I was appointed Chaplain to the GTR for the Diocese of St Alban’s in recognition of my wider ministry with the growing Romanian Roma community in town. In 2015 we launched Luton Roma Trust in response to the desperate needs of the migrant Roma families.
I retired to Canterbury in 2019 and wrote “One New Humanity - Scriptural Reflections on the Luton Roma” - 2020. Now as chair of the Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma (CNGTR), I am leading the initiative to train Chaplains to serve these communities in every Diocese in the land. I would love to hear from anyone in our Diocese who is engaging with the Romani communities of Kent, or with those helping the Eastern European Roma build new lives in the UK.
As Bishop Rose's Advisor for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma I am always keen to haer from anyone in the Diocese who is working with these communities. At a national level we are working with both Archbishops to promote our vision to create "Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Friendly Churches" - if you are reading this and would like to know more, do get in touch.
Email Martin or call 07791 536713