Elnora Mann

A voice for ethnic minorities

Half Ghanaian and half Sierra Leonean, Elnora Mann is a strong voice for ethnic minorities on General Synod, the Church of England's 'parliament', and has many responsibilities at parish, deanery and diocesan level.

When she made her maiden speech at General Synod, even the Archbishop of Canterbury was sufficiently impressed to respond directly.

"Some of what I said was the Church of England must listen to all sides," recalls Elnora, "and he picked on that and said yes to listen because if you don't listen you just won't know."

As a representative of the Diocese of London on Synod, Elnora is co-opted to Diocesan Synod, Deanery Synod and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of her church in Ealing; in addition the busy housewife and mother of three is an elected member of CMEAC (Committee for minority ethnic Anglican Concerns); Area Vice President of the Mothers' Union in Kensington; and branch leader of the Mothers' Union at church.

"In my own small way I've got a niche in that church," she says, reflecting on the hours she devotes to her passion for people. "I try to empower young and ethnic minority people to be part and parcel of the congregation."

Which is not an easy task, given that so many people, especially working mothers, are unable to attend meetings regularly these days - this stemming their growth towards more challenging posts.

"If they don't participate in the local grass roots it will be difficult for them to go to diocesan meetings, deanery synods and diocesan synods," Elnora stresses, "and to get themselves put forward to be elected."

This is a defining issue for Elnora - one that continues to shape her work in the Church of England: "We've got real talent, male and female, in the Church, but we don't seem to have the ability to tap those talents and push our members forward."

For more information on CMEAC click here

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