deaneries,justice,marriage,pcc,racial justice,safeguarding,safeguarding officer,vacancy

Hello, I am Sabrina Crooks standing from St. Michaels, Framlingham, Loes Deanery, and I
would be grateful for your vote. I believe our General Synod would be strengthened with
new and more moderate members. A lifelong Christian, I am passionate and dedicated with a
strong desire to serve our diocese. As an Indian woman, I know I could bring greater depth
to the membership of General Synod where minority women are under-represented.
In 2020, I began to deepen my walk in service with small steps. I began by reading the lesson
in church and later leading intercessions. Soon, I agreed to serve as our church’s safeguarding
officer and continue to do so. I am also a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC),
the healing ministries team, the eucharistic ministries team, and coffee rota. Each of these
roles has given me a deep understanding of parish life with its successes, challenges and
concerns.
In 2023, I was asked by Bishop Martin Seeley to become the first non-white member of
Bishop’s Council in the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich and serve as Bishop’s
nominee. It is my honour to continue to work as a member of Bishop’s Council. I am also a
member of our Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod. In 2025, I became the first non-white
Chair for Racial Justice for our diocese and have continue to work as Chair. Each of these
roles has helped me to better understand and gain a deep knowledge of the multifaceted parts
of our diocese. It is my joy to serve with so many dedicated, knowledgeable and deeply
devoted people throughout our diocese. All these roles have given me a lot of experience
with every aspect of our diocese and deepened my love of Suffolk.
In 2024, I questioned the lack diversity in our diocesan Vacancy in See Committee and
Crown Nomination Committee (CNC) for the selection of our next diocesan bishop. I was
delighted to be the first person in the country to successfully invoke and use a CNC provision
(due to a lack of diversity in the panel) and be co-opted onto the CNC to select our new
diocesan bishop.
So, who am I? Born in Bangalore, India, I grew up in Burgundy, France and later in
Virginia, United States. A child of a United Nations family, I am tri-lingual speaking
English, French and Hindi fluently and have a strong multicultural and transnational
foundation. Lifelong ties to England began with my grandfather becoming the first American
to earn an English Literature degree from New College, Oxford, later working for the WWII
interallied movement, and resulting lifelong friendships.
My education includes double Bachelor of Arts with honours in history and in political
science from Roanoke College, Virginia and a Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee
University School of Law, Virginia. While at Roanoke College, I was a member of Pi Sigma
Alpha, President; Rawenock, Co-Editor-in-Chief (yearbook); United Nations Club, President;
Cardinal Key, Secretary; Phi Alpha Theta; Pi Gamma Mu; Xi Theta Chi. In law school, I
was in the International Law Society, President; Women’s Law Students Organization;
Christian Legal Society, Secretary & Treasurer; and Amnesty International.
With a specialty in international corporate law, I have worked in India, France, the United
States and England. My career spanned work with the International Monetary Fund, World

Bank, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Ernst & Young LLP, and pharmaceutical
companies (Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
Convatec) among others.
Marriage began my love of Suffolk in 1998. I focused on home and later as a mum on family
while traveling around the world with my husband who worked for the Asian Development
Bank (ADB). My husband’s posting to ADB headquarters led me to accept the role of
president of the ADB Spouse’s Association (ADBSA), an organisation of over 600 spouses
from over 43 countries. ADBSA brought wonderful experiences working with extraordinary
people while overseeing a scholarships program, young children’s feeding program, liaising
with ADB and the Philippines government, coordinating disaster relief work with sister
organisations, creating a securities briefing system for dependents, and fundraising. We sadly
lost my husband to cancer in 2016. Our return to the calm of home and warmth of the people
of Suffolk began our renewal.
I am passionate about giving the minority a voice. My commitment to the wider Suffolk
community is also expressed in my support of Women & Girls Fund Suffolk, Lighthouse
Womens Aid, among others. It is my joy to be a mum to my wonderful son, Kiran. My other
loves include spending time with friends, reading, antiques, music, travel, cooking, theatre,
singing, gardening and walking with our Old English Sheepdog, Teagan.
As a member of General Synod, I hope to represent the people of Suffolk being mindful of
the many parts of our diocese – from our coastal, to our rural, and our urban deaneries. I
would use all my knowledge and experiences so all parishioners can see that there is an
avenue for their opinions and needs to be relayed to the national church. Suffolk is my home
and I would be proud and honoured to represent all of us in General Synod if you would grant
me that privilege.