Welcome to David and Lee!
We’re delighted to share that our volunteer team has grown by two, with the appointment of David Reading as a volunteer Consultant, and Fr. Lee Taylor as our volunteer Chaplain to Rhythm.
Lee’s new role encompasses the development of our Rhythm initiative, including our weekly prayer meetings at 6pm GMT on Wednesdays, as well as expanding our retreat offerings, and working alongside you and others to explore further the depths and beauty of LGBT+ spirituality. Here’s a little more about Lee:
Fr Lee is Rector of the Parish of Little Ilford (Manor Park) in East London, a small but growing congregation in a multi-cultural and transient community.
He has rich and varied theological and ecclesiological heritage, growing up in the Pentecostal church. His move to Anglicanism followed a deepening appreciation and engagement with the Eucharist and sacramental life in general.
He trained at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, alongside the Community of the Resurrection and is drawn to how the monastic rhythm of life can enrich our everyday faith and lives, and release us into the fullness of Christ offered to each of us equally and uniquely.
Fr Lee is in a Civil Partnership with Charlie, and we are owned by our cat Princess. His perfect rest day would consist of a lazy morning reading, time to wander around London or somewhere new (preferably with second-hand bookshops available) and a long lunch. A visit to an art gallery or museum in the afternoon with drinks or dinner with friends and a play or show in the evening would be the ideal finish. Or a trip out in their 1970s VW camper van, Sunshine (but still with a book and a bottle of wine!).
And to David. Some of you have perhaps come across David over the last few months as he and I began to work together, specifically on how OneBodyOneFaith can support LGBT+ Christians internationally. David has got stuck right in, and through his experience and passion has reconnected us with several groups and old friends in various parts of the world. More to come on how we are developing in this way, but first, here’s some more about David:
David was born and brought up in the Northeast of England. He read Modern Languages at Cambridge University and is fluent in French, German and Italian and has a good knowledge of Spanish and Russian.
He then worked in international healthcare market research for over 30 years, for over 25 of those in senior management and Board positions. As part of his work, he travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. David retired from the commercial sector in 2014 and since then has been actively involved with several charities - mostly in the healthcare sector - in a variety of different roles.
David is a member of his local Anglican church and lives in North London with his husband Nick. Since the autumn of 2021, David has been bringing his international experience to bear in helping OneBodyOneFaith to establish contacts and explore potential partnerships with LGBT+ Christian organisations outside of the UK.
Both appointments are real encouragements the whole OneBodyOneFaith team, and both were unanimously backed by the Board of Trustees. Their skills and passion are vital for the development of our work, but these new roles also speak to the growth of OneBodyOneFaith – not only numerically, but also in spirit and hope.
Please do welcome both David and Lee to their new roles – they can be reached via davidr@onebodyonefaith.org.uk, and lee@onebodyonefaith.org.uk.
