farm,finances,mission,pcc,retirement,sunday school,word of god

General Synod Election Address: Mrs Ruth Killen [email protected]
Candidate to become a Liverpool Diocese lay representative in the General Synod

Organisation

| consider myself to have excellent organisational abilities and have consistently worked to strict
deadlines. After working for the government and in education and then having 40 years within the
NHS, | am used to public service. Since my official retirement 3 years ago | have been Assistant
Warden at St Peter’s Church, Hindley in the newly formed parish of Chapelfields (Wigan East) in the
Diocese of Liverpool.

Running my farm for the past 34 years | have had to ensure that everything on the farm was done
not only to benefit my family but the wildlife and locality whilst still ensuring | adhered to all
government legislation. | was a UNISON Union Representative whilst working for the NHS, and as
former Chair of the Wigan Local Access Forum, Association Secretary for Hindley District Bridleways
and for 38 years Bridleways Officer for Wigan District, | am used to working towards targets to
benefit the public and the group for which | stand. Over the last 20 years | have been a dance
instructor and dance events organiser.

My contribution to Church life

My involvement with the church has been long and varied. From a small child | became a regular at
St Peter’s as my Mother took me to church every Sunday and as soon as | was allowed was enrolled
in both our Church School and the Sunday School where | stayed until the age of eleven and was
confirmed. By then I had already been a member of our Brownie Pack and then joined the Girl
Guides.

From there | was in the choir and a bell-ringer. | was part of the congregation every Sunday and
walked on our Processions of Faith every June. | was also personal assistant to the then Arch Deacon
of Warrington, Dr David Woodhouse (1981 — 1983) and produced the church magazine before | got
married.

In 1996 | was asked by the then Vicar Rev lan Carter to become the Head of Sunday School. Having
children and faith does not set you up for running a concentrated 1 hour session with up to 20
children of differing ages and abilities to listen to stories from the Bible. It was both a challenge and
a privilege, but not without fun, faith and a deep sense of humility.

After working and bringing up my family | became heavily involved again at church in 2019. It was
soon apparent that something needed to be done as Transforming Wigan was thrust upon us and
our church parishes were ceased and re-created with up to 7 churches within one Parish. As there
was a shortage of nominations | volunteered for the new PCC and eventually became a member of
our Deanery Synod.

Since then I have applied myself to every (Church) challenge set before me, at one time being the
church Gift Aid Officer to try to sort out our finances after Covid-19. | have attended every Summer
Conference to discuss and decide new ways for the church to cover costs and was part of the
Greenhouse Gatherings working with other churches to encourage more people to discover and love
Christ.

Church is, quite literally, my second home, as | seem to spend an inordinate amount of time either
working there or at home doing work for there. Through the loss of our Sunday Reader | have
become one of a team now undertaking the leadership of Morning Prayers, and liaise with the
Chapelfields team regarding wedding banns, etc. | have the honour of taking home communions.

Valuing Local Parishes

My church MATTERS to me, and not just my church, but my whole faith and belief in God. | believe
that the Church is at the heart of every community and it’s job is to be there offering ministry to
those who come into church once, or many times: "Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and | will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. | believe that what is needed is more full-time,
parish-based clergy and staff to serve as the core resources in the local communities in which they
are physically present. It is my job to do as much as possible to welcome and encourage the word of
God for our congregation and beyond by living out my faith through daily acts of love, kindness, and
genuine service to others, sharing my story and praying for those around me.

| have been happy to see our congregation grow back (after being shut through Covid-19) and our
regular Sunday attendance is approximately 70 (including children). It has been a privilege to see
people of other ethnicities join and embrace our services at our humble church — and not only join
in, but ask to be included as volunteers in the many teams we have to keep our church and mission
running.

| feel that as a long-standing and dedicated member of St Peter’s Church | am a very good candidate
to represent our congregations within the Liverpool Diocese and beyond in matters discussed that
affect our church’s progress over the next 10 years at General Synod. | will seek to learn and apply
the things that are required by the Church of England to the best of my ability.

| would be honoured to be elected and ask for your vote.

Ruth Killen
07546139880