addiction,gospel,mission,poverty,prayer,safeguarding,safeguarding failures,save the parish,scripture,tradition,unemployment,vocations,young people

Mark Mawhinney

Proposed by Canon Michael Hampel (Durham Cathedral)
Seconded by the Reverend John Livesley
(Vicar of Bowburn and Tudhoe Grange)

We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
I was elected to the General Synod back in 2021 at a time when we were still
experiencing some of the restrictions which were required because of the Covid
Pandemic. I am seeking election again to represent the Diocese of Durham at a
national level. I currently serve as the Vicar of St Hilda’s and St Michael’s Churches
in South Shields and as I leave home for Church each day, I am greeted with a
beautiful view of the mouth of the Tyne, and with Tynemouth Priory just across
the river to the north-east. I believe I am blessed in ministering in a region where
the inspiration and influence of the Northern saints remains strong, and where we
are surrounded by the heritage of Cuthbert, Aidan, Hilda, and Bede.
But as I look at the ruins of Tynemouth Abbey, I am reminded that religious
foundations which were once strong and seemingly invincible can perish. The daily
round of prayer – so much a part of the monastic houses of the north of England
in previous centuries were brought to silence.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed
Do we live in such a time when the future of Christianity is at risk in our country,
and is the Church of England in peril, as so many commentators believe it to be?
While there is much to concern us, there is also much to celebrate. While for many
in our region poverty, unemployment, and addiction is part of daily experience, this
is countered in many places with a gritty resilience and determination, tempered
with good humour and positivity.

Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Christ
Looking back on the last Quinquennium of the General Synod, there were many
areas where there was fractious debate, and where division and distrust played a
large part in our deliberations. The noble aim to disagree well has often not been
achieved. Some of these difficult debates and disagreements in the last
Quinquennium will no doubt be carried forward into the new Synod. Among the
many important issues which will arise, I would highlight:
• Safeguarding
• Trust
• Mission and Pastoral Measure
• Fair distribution of the Church’s
considerable financial resource

Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures
At the heart of our churches and chaplaincies there is a longing for engagement
with each other, with those on the margins, and with God through Jesus Christ his
Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Increasingly young people are exploring
the Christian faith who come with no prior knowledge of the Church or of Scripture
and tradition. Part of that attraction is the rich history of our inheritance of faith
which it is our duty to proclaim afresh in each and every generation.

Some have entertained angels without knowing it
My experience of attending General Synod since 2021 is that there is often a marked
disconnect between parish life and the proceedings of the Synod; and this can be
reflected in other ways sometimes within our Diocese. Some of the Safeguarding
failures with which we have grappled in recent years at a national level have reflected
badly on the excellent work which goes on in our parishes and communities. Often
those who work hard to keep the doors of our churches open and our buildings
maintained to provide a warm welcome to all, feel that the central bureaucracy of
the Church is hindering, rather than helping the mission on the ground.

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
Long vacancies often take their toll on volunteers, and this burden of responsibility
is sadly effective in reducing the numbers of those who are prepared to give freely
of their time. The crisis which we see in the numbers of vocations must be urgently
addressed, both in terms of nurturing new vocations and supporting those in
leadership roles. Save the Parish has outlined a commitment in its manifesto for ‘A
Clergy Charter of Care’ to protect frontline clergy from mental and physical
exhaustion, and I am in support of this initiative to improve the ways in which we
are equipped together to proclaim the Gospel in our land.

As workers together with him
I believe it is important that voices from our Diocese and region are heard more
widely in the Church of England and that the experiences of our worshipping
communities contribute to the direction in which the Church is moving. I would
like to continue to play a role in the work of the General Synod in the next
Quinquennium, and I put myself forward as a serving Parish Priest, but one who
has also served this diocese in a lay capacity in both parishes and schools. Please do
consider giving me your first-choice vote.

Mark Mawhinney
Vicar: South Shields, St Hilda with
St Thomas, and South Westoe
0191-454-8060
[email protected]