Candidate Statements

It has been a fabulous opportunity to witness ministry and mission across different traditions and contexts.

If elected to General Synod, I will work with integrity, courage and energy to help work with others to build a Church that is true to the Gospel and brights greater light and joy to our world.

I feel called to stand for General Synod and show some courage in speaking up clearly for those who face discrimination and marginalisation for whatever reasons.

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, in all roles within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

I am Chair of WATCH, a charity that calls for equality for women in the Church of England.

Women are expected to ‘flourish’ in this context, but a culture that legitimises discrimination on grounds of sex cannot help being undermining.

Furthermore, I believe that continuing to teach (in some churches) that God created men to lead and women to submit to that leadership makes it hard for the Church to speak out about gender injustice.

Women experience oppression at every stage of their lives: in some countries foetuses are aborted because of their sex; girls don’t get the same medical care as their brothers; girls and young women are kidnapped and trafficked as sex slaves every day; and globally about one in three women (approximately 840 million people) experience physical or sexual intimate violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization.

This is all a huge crime against humanity, and I would hope to help Synod work harder to combat these evils.

STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH INCLUSIVE CHURCH AND TOGETHER When I became Chair of WATCH in 2022 I tried to make clear that my calling was to help women achieve equality in the Church and to stand against the harmful oppression of women in our world.

Neither I nor WATCH could fight other battles against discrimination at the same time.

I soon came to see, however, that it is impossible to call out one form of discrimination and disregard others.

I am, therefore, a passionate supporter of Inclusive Church and other organisations that seek to combat discrimination on other grounds.

This does not mean that I believe ‘anything goes.’ There is much cruelty and exploitation of people in our society and we, as the Church, should be calling out promiscuity, unfaithfulness and domestic violence – and honouring relationships that are committed, faithful and caring, whether they are between people of the opposite sex, the same sex or non-binary.

This does not mean that I believe ‘anything goes.’ There is much cruelty and exploitation of people in our society and we, as the Church, should be calling out promiscuity, unfaithfulness and domestic violence – and honouring relationships that are committed, faithful and caring, whether they are between people of the opposite sex, the same sex or non-binary.

ENCOURAGING THE CALLINGS OF GMH AND WORKING-CLASS CLERGY AND LAY MINISTERS Jesus called those whom others regarded as outsiders or unworthy to be the leaders of the community he was trying to build – not the religious elites and scholars of his time.

We must do more to find and encourage the people God is calling to serve the Church from GMH and working-class backgrounds.

I believe that we all should be able to be fully our God-given selves and I go out of my way to encourage and support those held back through disadvantage or discrimination.

I am concerned that the London Vacancy-in-See Committee has not specified that the next Bishop of London should be someone who ordains women: it is unreasonable to expect female clergy to be overseen by a bishop who personally does not believe women should be ordained or undertake leadership roles in the Church.

And of the 22 London members (clergy and laity combined) 8 either did not support the ordination of women or were from churches that do not accept that women should be vicars or bishops.

And of the 22 London members (clergy and laity combined) 8 either did not support the ordination of women or were from churches that do not accept that women should be vicars or bishops.

But still many hundreds of churches restrict women’s roles in various ways and some serving bishops do not receive communion from our Archbishop of Canterbury because she is female.

But still many hundreds of churches restrict women’s roles in various ways and some serving bishops do not receive communion from our Archbishop of Canterbury because she is female.

Recently the Church Commissioners approved a plan to unite six benefices in the Kerrier deanery in the Diocese of Truro to create a single massive benefice comprising 21 churches.

Recently the Church Commissioners approved a plan to unite six benefices in the Kerrier deanery in the Diocese of Truro to create a single massive benefice comprising 21 churches.

This follows a trajectory in most dioceses where parishes are being bundled together in ever larger groups without adequate resources.

I would hope to encourage greater transparency in how the Church’s finances are managed and how decisions affecting parishes are made.

I would hope to encourage greater transparency in how the Church’s finances are managed and how decisions affecting parishes are made.

I believe there should also be greater accountability about the large sums of money that have been invested in big new projects and a willingness to admit and learn from investments that have failed to achieve their aims.

I believe that every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, welcome and belonging, regardless of disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, neurodiversity, economic background or sexuality.

I believe that every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, welcome and belonging, regardless of disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, neurodiversity, economic background or sexuality.

I support equality and belonging at every level of Church life, and I will continue to advocate for the full inclusion and flourishing of LGBT+ people in our churches, leadership and decision-making.

As part of my role, and through time spent working in schools, I care deeply about safeguarding and support the Church's continuing work to strengthen safeguarding and independent oversight.

Among my own friends and family are people who have turned away from faith because they could not reconcile the message of God's love with experiences of exclusion, abuse, judgement and rejection within the Church.

• Strong theological and safeguarding

Our shared faith is far greater than the issues that divide us, and our common mission matters deeply.

I believe caring for creation is an essential part of Christian discipleship.

A BIT ABOUT ME I live in Kettering with my husband Will and our little elderly cat called Tizzy.

I believe that every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, welcome and belonging, regardless of disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, neurodiversity, economic background or sexuality.

I believe that every person is made in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, welcome and belonging, regardless of disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, neurodiversity, economic background or sexuality.

I support equality and belonging at every level of Church life, and I will continue to advocate for the full inclusion and flourishing of LGBT+ people in our churches, leadership and decision-making.

I want to see the Church continue responding positively and practically to the climate crisis, supporting parishes as they care for creation and ensuring our environmental commitments lead to meaningful action for future generations and communities.

leading a Bible Study, PCC, Deanery

Through my work with churches across our diocese, I see first- hand the commitment of clergy, volunteers, PCC members and church leaders who faithfully serve their communities week after week.

Across our diocese I see evidence every day that God is still at work: in local churches, in young people, in volunteers, in worshipping communities, in acts of service and generosity.

Worker for Children and Youth.

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

My professional life is dedicated to supporting churches in their ministry with children, young people and families.

Young people are not just the future of the Church; they are an essential part of its present.

Across our diocese I see evidence every day that God is still at work: in local churches, in young people, in volunteers, in worshipping communities, in acts of service and generosity.

churches across Peterborough Diocese in ministry with children, young people and families.

I firmly believe that everyone is equal in the sight of God and that as his disciples, we have a duty to work together to follow Jesus’s commission, to go and make disciples of others.

I firmly believe that everyone is equal in the sight of God and that as his disciples, we have a duty to work together to follow Jesus’s commission, to go and make disciples of others.

I feel that the General Synod has a responsibility to show leadership by example especially in the turbulent times we find ourselves in today's world, the differing views on immigration, assisted dying, racism and parish life are huge topics that require careful observation and consideration in order to show that the views of all our populations are taken into account, including the views of those who are so often marginalised by society.

I feel that the General Synod has a responsibility to show leadership by example especially in the turbulent times we find ourselves in today's world, the differing views on immigration, assisted dying, racism and parish life are huge topics that require careful observation and consideration in order to show that the views of all our populations are taken into account, including the views of those who are so often marginalised by society.

I feel that the General Synod has a responsibility to show leadership by example especially in the turbulent times we find ourselves in today's world, the differing views on immigration, assisted dying, racism and parish life are huge topics that require careful observation and consideration in order to show that the views of all our populations are taken into account, including the views of those who are so often marginalised by society.

I have been a member of the Church of England all my life, and have engaged fully with parish life, as a member of the PCC and in the position of Churchwarden.

Inclusion, Racial Justice and Sexuality

I affirm the grace and goodness in faithful committed same-sex relationships.

I affirm the grace and goodness in faithful committed same-sex relationships.

The votes in the last Synod in favour of stand-alone services using the Prayers of Love and Faith, and for an end to the bar on ministry for those in same-sex marriages, are unfinished business which must now be taken forward without further delay.

The votes in the last Synod in favour of stand-alone services using the Prayers of Love and Faith, and for an end to the bar on ministry for those in same-sex marriages, are unfinished business which must now be taken forward without further delay.

Safeguarding

Diocesan safeguarding teams work hard in often challenging circumstances to deliver training, promote a safer Church, and respond to disclosures.

There is however an intrinsic conflict of interest when the reputation of the institution is at stake, as safeguarding teams are employed by the institution.

This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.

This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.

This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.

This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.

Independent safeguarding is the way forward.

Independent safeguarding is the way forward.

It has a commitment to place, and a mission towards the whole population, expressed in the liturgy which is its public duty, in the cure of souls which parish priests share with the bishop, and in the building which should be a place of sanctuary for all.

We need to rebalance spending and reprioritise the parish, ensure good training and support for stipendiary parish clergy, and reform the Mission and Pastoral Measure so that it is fit for its stated purpose, which is “to make better provision for the cure of souls”.

The Gospel of justice and reconciliation impels us to value all those who are marginalised, and to help build a better and more hopeful future for all.

Our witness is weakened when we are divided, and the gifts that different members of the Body bring enrich the whole. “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 27.31)

The visible church, in which “the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly ministered” (Article XIX), is embedded in the local community, with its unique story, through the parish.

Inclusion, Racial Justice and Sexuality

Inclusion, Racial Justice and Sexuality

General Synod must strengthen the church’s commitment to racial justice by hearing the voices of minorities and the excluded, and holding power and privilege open to scrutiny.

General Synod must strengthen the church’s commitment to racial justice by hearing the voices of minorities and the excluded, and holding power and privilege open to scrutiny.

At the same time, we must not neglect those communities whose experience of poverty and alienation is being exploited by the far-right and framed as fear of the other.

The Gospel of justice and reconciliation impels us to value all those who are marginalised, and to help build a better and more hopeful future for all.

This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.

The Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice (“Project Spire”) The Body of Christ is wounded by the sins of the past, and the sins of slavery are part of our own history.

The Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice (“Project Spire”) The Body of Christ is wounded by the sins of the past, and the sins of slavery are part of our own history.

Repair and Justice are more complex ideas which need further elucidation.

Likewise, the rise in Islamophobia, and its weaponisation by various groups, is deeply concerning.

Amongst them a particular place is held by the historic Churches of Israel and Palestine, the “living stones” of the Holy Land, who face ever-increasing violence, and even the threat of extinction, in the land where Christianity began.

Amongst them a particular place is held by the historic Churches of Israel and Palestine, the “living stones” of the Holy Land, who face ever-increasing violence, and even the threat of extinction, in the land where Christianity began.

Amongst them a particular place is held by the historic Churches of Israel and Palestine, the “living stones” of the Holy Land, who face ever-increasing violence, and even the threat of extinction, in the land where Christianity began.

Stipendiary clergy are down 28% since 2000.

We need to rebalance spending and reprioritise the parish, ensure good training and support for stipendiary parish clergy, and reform the Mission and Pastoral Measure so that it is fit for its stated purpose, which is “to make better provision for the cure of souls”.

It has a commitment to place, and a mission towards the whole population, expressed in the liturgy which is its public duty, in the cure of souls which parish priests share with the bishop, and in the building which should be a place of sanctuary for all.

The Church Commissioners’ historic endowment was intended primarily for parishes, but in 2018 this restriction was removed. £176 million was spent through the Strategic Development Fund, and £476 million has been spent on or allocated to the Diocesan Investment Programme, for time-limited projects which are not parishes.

The Five Guiding Principles established a way forward, without any time limit, for holding our diversity in unity, respecting conscience, and enabling all to flourish.

Synod needs more detail and clarity to be sure that this will be an effective and focussed use of Church Commissioners’ assets.

In seeking to be good neighbours and partners with other communities, I am particularly conscious of the Jewish communities in my own part of northwest London, and the rise in antisemitic attacks.