An artist has outlined his vision to help parishes in Suffolk grow and become a beacon of hope for those people who feel isolated.
Jonathan Boast, a 52-year-old father with three children, has been ordained a deacon for the Lark Valley and North Bury team by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell.
His first job after university was as a roadie for the Rolling Stones band, setting up stages on tour. As his career developed, he worked as a photographer, created stage sets, graphic materials, animations, murals, stained glass and steel sculptures, paintings and was an artist in residence at museums including Ipswich.
In 2009 Westminster Abbey commissioned him to create a stained glass and steel monolith to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the internment of the Unknown Warrior.
He said: ‘I hope to grow the churches where I am called to serve, in faithful pastoral service and lived discipleship. Each church must inspire, inform and engage the congregation and wider community they serve, people must feel welcomed, valued and able to explore faith honestly and creatively and know that His house is their house, especially important for those who may feel disconnected from faith or uncertain about their place within it. Thriving churches are transformational, providing a sense of belonging, growth, hope and being loved. They develop friendship, support networks and belonging in a society where many feel increasingly isolated. They can provide practical and emotional help to those in need, create opportunities for people to develop their skills, serving one another.’
Mr Boast added that becoming ordained felt a natural continuation of a lifelong hope to teach and inspire people.
‘Through my work in education, community projects, the arts and leadership roles, I found myself always drawn towards supporting people, helping them grow in confidence and discover purpose in their lives,’ he said.
Mr Boast, who is dyslexic, said he was deeply grateful for the support and patience of his family throughout the journey towards ordination – ‘Our ministry can never be undertaken alone, we are called to walk alongside other clergy and our families are part of that journey,’ he said.
He has been a teacher, learning mentor, head of department and Curriculum Initiatives Manager within education, mainstream and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at all ages from nursery to university.