Sonya Newton

Pioneer Curate, Diocese of Gloucester
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I am a Pioneer Curate in the Parish of St Oswald with St Aldates in Coney Hill, Gloucester. I was ordained in June 2019. I am working class and came to ordination training on benefits without a university degree. During training, I experienced some of the pain of being ‘othered’ and had my eyes opened to conscious and unconscious bias occurring around me. This was very painful for me and its effects lasted beyond training.

I have always known my own calling to those like me, and the benefit of being who I am, working on the edges of church and community as a pioneer. Now I have begun to see this eye opening as a gift. A large part of my ministry is to walk alongside people on their vocations journey and to gracefully challenge some of the bias and othering I and those I minister to have experienced.

I am married to Richard, who works for the Credit Union here in Gloucester and together we have 6 children. My two step children are in their mid-20s. I already had our eldest daughter when I met Richard, she is now 20. Together we have three boys, now aged 11, 9 and 7. My husband, step son and son are on the autistic spectrum and my daughter and myself were both diagnosed with dyslexic in adulthood.

I consider myself to be inclusive, charismatic and a bit sweary. I enjoy the outdoors and have an allotment. I love making stuff, re-watching the West Wing and spend too long watching YouTube.

I have committed to give one day a month to mentoring and envision meeting with someone every month or 6 weeks depending on what suits best.

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