finance,ordinands,outreach,pension,sexuality,traditional,young people

Church Life
Since relocating to Ryhope shortly before the COVID outbreak, I
have become more actively involved with our church. What began
with assisting our vicar to share sermons online, has evolved into
a regular online presence for our community,
This has proven to be a useful outreach tool for drawing new
people to our church. As the Digital Lead for our parish, I am
responsible for social media content, and for the production of our
parish magazine. The Ryhope View has developed from being a
generic content publication to becoming a living breathing
representation of our church, with real life reflections and articles
from our congregation. It gives me great joy to encourage both
new and long time members to explore their faith and to give them
a voice within the parish.
I am one of two newly elected members of our church to the
Deanery Synod. I, along side our Lay Minister of the Word, Elaine
Shanks, and our vicar, Reverend David Chadwick, represent the
diverse people of our parish.
We are fortunate to have such diversity within our church family;
our members come from all walks of life. Our church is situated
opposite a supported living care home, which brings people with a
wide range of abilities to join our congregation.
It is my aim to represent our parish and our needs at General
Synod. I believe it is vital that the Church of England remains
relevant to the modern world without alienating the more
traditional worshippers in our church family. We do need to move
forward and bring in change, but it must be done mindfully and
with loving grace.

Joanne Nolan
39 Thomas Street South
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0PD
07840 255 513
[email protected]
Election address for General Synod - September 2026
House of Laity
Diocese of Durham
Issues Important to Me
Better support for ordinands and
lay ministers, from low income
households and parents.
Discussions on relationship,
sexuality and gender.
Making The Church accessible
for people with all kinds of
abilities and neurodivergence.
Support and training for digital
creators who are not church
leaders.
To future proof the church and
meet young people where they
are, just as Jesus did.
To continue progress in making
The Church more eco friendly.
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Working Life
I started my working life as a teenager, in an entry level job within the Department of
Health and Social Security. Over the years my dedication and hard work brought
promotions to eventually be part of the management team in the finance office for the
Pension Service. My time now is spent sharing part time care for a family member,
volunteering with a local charity and taking an active role in supporting our church.

Personal Life

I am a fifty four year old single mother, with a seventeen year old son. Though separated,
myself and his father have worked hard to make sure our son never felt like he was from
a broken family. Our family core is united, even though our personal lifestyles are
different.

Thank you for taking the time to read this address. As a person who represents the
ordinary members of the parish I would greatly appreciate your vote. Please do contact
me if you have any questions.

Joanne Nolan
Digital Lead
St Paul’s, Ryhope
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