chaplaincy,crime,ecology,ecumenism,finances,interfaith,justice,living in love and faith,marriage,mission,parish share,pcc,pccs,safeguarding,stewardship,survivors,universities

Dr Richard Scothon

A 4 John: 5 Church, Neville’s vai
Sednides? Dr Mic

r Mike Chater - St John

“Building tea for all eo

in our Durham Diocese from
the Tees to the Tyne,

from the Dales to the Sea.”

ELECTION TO GENERAL SYNOD
Why I am standing

f Durham

About me

e Father and Husband: 30 years of marriage to my
best friend. Two lovely children newly studying
at University.
PCC Member: St John’s Neville’s Cross with
special interest in mission governance, process
and the law.
Ecology Committee: St John’s de-carbonising plans
to help reduce costs and the impact of wasting
resources. Am particularly interested in the theology
of stewardship.
Durham Light Infantry: Board member focused
on the living work of the DLI and its place in Army
history for the brave ‘Durhams’ that we remember
each year in our churches and in our cathedral.
Magistrate: 20 years on the Criminal Bench
throughout the North East of England, previously
the Family Courts and have the role of a Diversity
and Community Relations Magistrate, reaching
out into our region.

Durham Police: Member of the Audit Committee
for the good running of our Police Force and
Police and Crime Commissioner.

Sports: Rowing in the region. A way of relaxing
whilst keeping up exercise.

Freeman of the City of Durham: Board member
maintaining the work of our historic Guilds and
Crafts, including apprentices. Many of these are
linked through generations to our churches and land.
Practical Theology: Undertaking applied theology
at Lindisfarne College to learn more about God’s
Church.

Why vote for me?

V¥ Servant leader. As Christ is our example, his
leadership is the ultimate example for us all,
and he has guided me in how I work.

v¥ Collaborative Bridge Builder: Bringing people
together from different parts of the Church to listen
and act in service of others.

¥ Committed to God’s Church: Nothing matters more
than God’s life-changing grace, which transforms and
strengthens us. We must reach further into our
communities so others can know God’s power, and the
Central Church must recognise and support this work
in our parishes and chaplaincies.

v¥ I work hard. Ask anyone who knows me.

My 8 priorities

Durham Diocese as an Anchor Institution: Having worked in
very large companies, I know how communities come together
when there’s local grassroots representation. Our Parishes are
critical to linking us together, and I would petition the Co E to
provide more centralised money to help our churches with their
day-to-day mission.

Supporting our Clergy: Our hard-working clergy are being
pulled left-right-and-centre. More and more churches are

being placed into larger and larger groupings, which means our
clergy cannot do the vital mission work they are called to undertake
with us all. The Central Church needs to know that this cannot
go on forever and a Lay voice needs to speak up for Clergy.

I would be that person.

Women’s Ministry: In my lifetime I’ve seen the fullness of
ordained ministry throughout our church, with women in all
ordained roles. This needs continual support and enablement
beyond flourishing.

Chaplaincy Ministry: Our Parishes are the place to send us all
out into our communities to live and work to Christ’s praise and
glory. Likewise our Schools, Colleges, Universities, Cadets,
Police, Fire Service, NHS, Army, Navy, Airforce and Industrial
Chaplains need our support as they do their critical work. I have
tangibly supported Chaplains in my career and see how they meet
people where they are most needed. More resources need to come
their way to continue their work. I’d press for that to be done.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is not negotiable: survivors deserve
independence, honesty, and follow-through, not warm words.

I would reinforce this time and time again.

Justice and Inclusion: It’s important to respect all differing
views in matters of blessing and marriage. It is now time for the
Church of England to complete the work of Living in Love and
Faith in our LGBTQI+ settings.

Ecumenism and Interfaith: We are all God’s children and we
must live in faith and harmony. We are called to peace as Anglicans
throughout the world, and by bridging the gap through dialogue
we find commonalities in our everyday life. I have enabled this
work through the NHS and found interfaith is much about
humanity through respect for each other. The Central Church
needs to enable us to undertake this work in our own areas.

I will ask for resources to do this.

The Parish Share: Many Churches simply cannot afford to pay
the money they are asked to provide, and vital finances take money
away from mission work, and PCCs worry about spending anything
beyond the very basics. The Central Church needs to free up money
to support churches with more clergy, historic building funds,
musicians, and facilities for younger and older people. We are

at a point where finances could really make a difference to a living
church. The kingdom of heaven is here. Someone must speak up.

I would be honoured to have your first or second preference vote.

Thank you for your support and your prayers.