accountability,biblical,evangelical,gospel,human sexuality,inclusive,living in love and faith,marriage,mental health,methodist,orthodox,pcc,prayer,revitalisation,safeguarding,same sex,same-sex relationships,sexuality,tradition

Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich House of Laity General Election Address 2026

                                                         Sarah Nasmyth-Miller

Headlines
• A committed Anglican for over 30 years
• Worships at St Marys Church Witnesham
• An active PCC and Deanery synod member
• Passionate about the revitalisation of rural churches
• Evangelical and Orthodox by way of tradition
• Email [email protected]
• Mobile 07919 988 290
• Proposed Alison Gibbs St Thomas’s Ipswich Deanery Lay Chair
• Seconded John Lockwood St Matthews Ipswich Deanery
Dear Elector
I am writing to seek your vote to represent the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in the House of
Laity General Synod. This election takes time at a key moment for the Church of England; safeguarding
reforms, human sexuality and same-sex relationships and financial and parish sustainability being some
key areas to consider. These, alongside the very real sustainability issue impacting our rural churches
and the sense of fatigue felt by those running them are the issues that have led to me standing for
General Synod.
Standing for General Synod is not something I am taking lightly but a result of prayerful consideration
and counsel. I will consider it a real privilege and responsibility to represent our Diocese at General
Synod. You will see more information overleaf, outlining my reasons and areas where I believe I can
bring relevant knowledge, interest and experience.
I encourage you to take time to prayerfully consider all the election addresses you have received. I say
this as I believe that the next General Synod will have a significant impact on our local churches, which
are vital in our desire and ability to talk to our friends, families and neighbours about the saving power of
Jesus.
If elected, I commit to being a faithful and prayerful member of General Synod, giving time and effort to
understand the issues, prayerfully seeking the Lords guidance on both my contribution and my vote. I
will commit to communicate both with the local church and the wider Deanery.
At the time of writing it would appear that I will be on a pre planned holiday with family and unable to
attend hustings in person. Please do contact me if you have any questions for me regarding my election
address.
With my very best wishes
Sarah
P.S. If having read this election statement you would like to vote for me can I ask that you consider a
first preference or high preference vote. Thank you.

Personal Background
I retired in 2023 from Suffolk County Council,
having worked in Adult Social Care for 30 years.
Initially as a Social Worker, my final role was as
Assistant Director, responsible for Learning
Disabilities and Mental Health services across
Suffolk.
I’m married to Dominic, who is also retired from
Suffolk County Council, and we have three
grown-up children. Hannah is married to Matt,
and together they lead a church in a deprived
area of inner Blackpool. Jess is married and
currently on maternity leave from her job as a
CBT therapist, and our youngest, Isaac, is a
police officer in Worcester. We’re also delighted
to have four grandchildren, who bring us
absolute joy!
My grandparents were staunch Methodists, and
my grandfather was a Methodist lay preacher
who worked the circuit in Suffolk. I was
christened in the Methodist church and grew up
in a family who attended church on key dates
such as Easter, Christmas and Mother’s Day. I
was educated at the Convent in Ipswich, which
gave me a different perspective on faith and
God.
My real response to the gospel came when I
was a student at Goldsmiths College, University
of London. I came to faith through friendships
with fellow students in the Christian Union, and
attending St Helen’s Anglican Church in
Bishopsgate, London.
For the past 33 years, we have worshipped in
Anglican churches, spending most of those
years at St Helen’s Ipswich. After lockdown, we
found a new spiritual home in our local village
church in Witnesham. It’s a community we’ve
grown to love, and we have a real desire to see
Jesus move both in our lives and in the lives of
people in our village and the surrounding area.
Why Vote For Me
Over the past 30 years working in adult social
care, I have gained experience that I believe
could bring to my role as a member of General
Synod. I started my career as a social worker,
which taught me the importance of listening to
people, understanding different points of view
and speaking up for those whose voices are not
always heard. It also gave me a strong belief in
the dignity and value of every individual.
I went on to take on a range of operational and
strategic leadership roles, eventually becoming
an Assistant Director with responsibility for
budgets of around £120 million and more than
250 staff across a wide range of teams and
professions. This experience has given me a
good understanding of governance, financial
responsibility and accountability, as well as the
need to make difficult decisions when resources
are limited and priorities compete.
I have led significant organisational change and
have seen first-hand both the opportunities it
can create and the uncertainty and anxiety it
can bring. I understand that change can feel
very different depending on where you are
standing, and I have always tried to make sure
that people feel listened to and involved.
Throughout my career, I have been particularly
committed to the wellbeing and development of
staff. I believe organisations work best when
people feel valued, supported and able to do
their best.
I would bring to General Synod my experience
of leadership and decision-making, but also a
willingness to listen, learn and work with others.
Above all, I would want to make sure that the
experiences and voices of people are heard and
considered in the decisions we make as the
Church of England.
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Area of Interest
Living In Love and Faith : I hold an Orthodox biblical view on marriage as a sacred union between a man
and a woman, whilst acknowledging that church must be inclusive and welcoming to all. This is an area
where much thought and prayer is required and voices and experiences must be heard.
Rural church : I am passionate about key issues, falling electoral rolls and a growing sense of fatigue
which must be given the same attention, energy and focus as urban church renewal and growth.
Safeguarding : My work experience has taught me the importance of listening, asking questions, speaking
up when something isn’t right and ensuring all are treated with dignity and respect .