Mrs Marjorie Elder
St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
House of Laity
Personal statement for Marjorie Elder seeking election to the General Synod
| wish to submit this statement in support of my application to serve on The General
Synod. As a member of the laity | have been guided by the Holy Spirit in many aspects of
my life, and I believe that in pursuit of my election to the General Synod, this has been a
gradual process of spiritual guidance.
| have been a member of the Church of England since my early years, serving as a
chorister in my local church in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. | later attended St
Martins College of Education, where | trained to be a teacher, specialising in Religious
Studies. After a period of teaching in Athens, Greece, | returned to the UK and became
Head of Religious Studies, Philosophy, Ethics in five schools, ending my teaching career
after forty three years, at Colchester County High School for Girls, where | achieved
some of the highest GCSE and A’ level results in East Anglia.
| retired from teaching eight years ago, and have since worked on a voluntary basis at
Thomas Gainsborough School, Gt. Cornard, as part of a team of volunteers sponsored
by No: 72, a Christian organisation based in Sudbury, Suffolk.
My journey of faith guided me into the world of teaching, and | am now a Serving
member on the Diocesan Board of Education in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and
Ipswich. | also serve as Diocesan Synod representative for the parish of St Mary’s Bures.
My adult life has been one of service to God, and this has inspired me to volunteer at
sporting events. | was a volunteer at the Athens Olympics 2004, the London Olympics
2012, and the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, 2022. | have also volunteered for
the Invictus Games, Birmingham, 2027.
| believe that the laity, are indeed, the body of the church, and, as such, should be fully
involved in the decision-making of the teachings, doctrines, and policies of the Church
of England. I have studied orthodoxy and iconography, and | regularly attend the Easter
vigil at the monastery of St John, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex. | have traveled widely in
Greece, however, my faith has remained firmly rooted in the teachings and doctrines of
the Church of England.
| can bring to role of member of the General Synod, a wealth of experience from my
background in education, to my roles within my own community.
| have been guided thus far in my life by the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer, and |
trust that this short review of my life experiences will meet with approval of the
electorate.
diocesan board,prayer
prayer
diocesan board
