assisted dying,disciples,immigration,make disciples,pcc,racism

Nomination as a lay member of the General Synod 2026
I would like to stand for nomination as Lay Representative for the parishes in my part of
the Diocese of Coventry.
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. I am also a
licensed lay reader. I love being part of the Church and I am well known within the
community for being part of the Church. I volunteer as a trustee for 2 local charities and
have a good relationship with the congregation and clergy at our church, supporting and
taking services as part of my ministry agreement with our Vicar. I am also a member of
the leadership team in our Deanery.
My background is in the NHS from which I have recently retired having worked for many
years as a nurse and midwife both in hospital and latterly in primary care. With the
advent of Care Commissioning Groups, I was elected to a clinical role at board level and
after they were dissolved I was invited by my General Practitioner colleagues to become
Clinical Director of the newly formed Primary Care Network, a role that enabled me to
use my experience of the NHS at ground level to influence and commission the care for
our local population, a population that varies greatly, from the affluent population in the
south of the county to the poorer, old mining areas of the north of the county.
My experience of working with the different populations within our community has
helped me in understanding how we, as members of the Church of England need to
respond to the changes we are experiencing within our communities today.
My ethos is based completely on the teachings of Jesus, in that we should love one
another as God loves us, if we could do that the world would be much better for all of
us.
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 was privileged to work in an area where I had to meet the needs of a truly diverse
society, and I was able to build up relationships within the communities that have stood
the test of time.

My experience both at work and within the parish I live and serve, has allowed me to
look objectively at issues that effect the Church of England today and I would like to be
part of the synod decision making that represents the views of the people.
Lay ministry is the interface between the congregation and the clergy, I would ensure
that this ‘interface’ serves the needs and wishes of the people who regularly worship in
our churches and the communities to which they belong, not only in my parish but the
wider community of the family of God, In such a way that promotes tolerance and
respect which is now so often missing from our daily lives.
I also have the experience that only being a flower arranger and part of the social team
in church can bring, learning to calm troubled waters is an experience like no other.
I am part of Coventry Cursillo and enjoy the fellowship that being part of a world wide
organisation brings, having served on the leadership team after being a pilgrim 5 years
ago.
I love being a mother and grandmother, hymn singing, and gardening. A football
supporter who prefers to go to rugby matches and travelling with my companion.