New Anglican DEO for Norfolk and Waveney

Rev Fiona Munn has been appointed as the new Anglican Denominational Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney.  Here, she gives a short introduction of her current role, background and ecumenical hopes 

A Denominational Ecumenical Officer (DEO) is someone appointed by a Christian denomination to encourage and coordinate relationships with other churches in the pursuit of Christian unity.   The role involves representing their church in ecumenical bodies and dialogues, supporting cooperation between denominations, and helping churches work together in prayer, mission, social action, and theological understanding.  They often assist with shared worship, Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs), and events such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The role combines theology, relationship-building, and practical organisation.  Ecumenical officers help their denomination remain faithful to its own tradition while also fostering mutual respect and collaboration with other Christians.  The DEO’s work is rooted in Christ’s prayer “that they may all be one” (John 17:21) and in the belief that greater visible unity strengthens the Church’s witness in the world.

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Here Rev Fiona Munn introduces herself and says a little about her background, current role and ecumenical hopes as the new Anglican DEO for Norfolk and Waveney: 

“I am really pleased to have taken on the role of Denominational Ecumenical Officer for the Anglican Church in our county. I am a priest in King’s Lynn at St Faith’s Church, Gaywood. My role is that of a pioneer, listening and responding to those living in the social housing estates of our parish. I also spend time in our local schools. Our Church is a Methodist / Anglican single congregation LEP.  We worship alongside one another and each gain from the richness of our different worshipping traditions.  

"I am part of King’s Lynn Churches Together.  This organisation has a long history of encouraging Christian unity in our town through joint events and social action projects.  We also gather regularly as church leaders for breakfast meetings and friendships have grown. 

"In my past life I worked as a GP.  I am married with three children.  My family lived in a village just outside Norwich.  Following ordination in 2023, I moved to King’s Lynn and served my curacy at King’s Lynn Minster.  During this time, I did two chaplaincy placements.  These enabled me to see the value of working together ecumenically whilst serving the social needs of a community.  

"At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, I spent time with Baptist, Quaker, Roman Catholic and Free Church Chaplains.  I particularly enjoyed our reflective conversations over lunch.  Whilst in Wayland prison I met Roman Catholic, Evangelical and Anglican colleagues.  These few short weeks brought huge insights.  I realised the need for humility when we work ecumenically.  My way of ‘doing church’ is simply one approach; it is not the correct way. 

"Whilst training for ordination at St Mellitus, I travelled to Rome on pilgrimage.  We spent time in ecumenical conversations with Fr Tony Currer who was serving on the Pontifical Council.  I valued hearing him speak of his passion for ecumenism and being able to ask him questions.  We also spent time with seminarians training for the Catholic priesthood at the Venerable English College.  I learnt how ecumenism happens on many levels: within individual friendships, local churches, as well as at a national and institutional level.  I saw some of the pain that there can be when we engage deeply ecumenically and yet joy can be found in unexpected places.

"Christian Unity is hugely important to me.  I see the challenges the Anglican Church faces within our own denomination to deal with differences.  Often these are played out on social media and sometimes demonstrate a lack of grace and compassion towards fellow Christians.  And yet, I also see examples where differences are put aside, and love for our neighbour is prioritised.  I have friends who hold very different theological positions to me and who worship in very different ways.  We may not understand everything about these differences, but through mutual respect and listening, we can each grow in our understanding and deepen our love for Christ and each other.”

To contact Fiona please email her at:  pioneer@stfaithsgaywoodlep.org.uk

Each of the seven Christian denominations that make up Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT) has a DEO whose role is to represent their own churches on Church Unity.  The DEOs meet formally in a committee convened by Dr Ian Watson, the County Ecumenical Officer, three times a year.  The current DEOs are:

Catholic - Pam Smith
pam.smith@rcdea.org.uk

Methodist & URC - Rev David Ely: 
david.ely@methodist.org.uk

Baptist - Rev June Love: 
juneklbc@gmail.com

Friends (Quakers) - Joy Croft
joyful.croft@gmail.com

Salvation Army - Major Jenny Barwise
jennifer.barwise@salvationarmy.org.uk

Anglican - Rev Fiona Munn
pioneer@stfaithsgaywoodlep.org.uk

Article by Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for Norfolk and Waveney

Photo courtesy of Rev Fiona Munn