anglican communion,dioceses,disability,equality,gender identity,justice,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,pcc,prayer,scripture,sexuality,stress,witness

ROB CHILTON

Standing for the House of Laity of the
General Synod

Dear Elector,
I would greatly value your support and vote in the forthcoming elections
to the General Synod. I hope that I may work with the other members to
represent our whole Diocese at that level of the Church’s deliberations.
I am 40 years old and have been involved in the ministry and witness of
the Church of England all my adult life, wherever I have been living at the
time. In both Manchester and Chester Dioceses, I have served as a
sidesman, church officer, PCC member, Deanery Synod member, Diocesan
Synod member, and general volunteer.
Now living in Heywood, I worship at St Luke’s, which is a cheerful and
vibrant parish. Although we are a small core team, we are always trying
something new, whilst maintaining our own traditions and strong
presence in the local community. I serve as an ALM, supporting our Vicar
and Wardens with some of the administrative work of the parish. I also
help to deliver the annual Parish Admin ALM course.
Throughout my career, I have held numerous roles, one of the main
highlights of which was a 12-year stint as a Trafford Councillor, a role I
fulfilled with great joy and enthusiasm. Through this, and my long
experience as a Rotarian, school governor and community volunteer, I
have acquired a commitment to finding solutions to the problems that
confront us, and a conviction that we all have ‘more in common’ than that
which divides us.
Over the page, I detail some of the reasons why I am standing for the
General Synod, and I submit them to you for your kind consideration.
Should you have any questions, I am happy to be contacted via email at
[email protected].
Every blessing,
Rob Chilton

MY VALUES
• I believe we are called upon to serve God and make him known in
the various communities and situations in which we find ourselves.
• There is no substitute for calm, rational and courteous discussion
and debate. This often leads to greater understanding between
individuals, and an appreciation of everyone’s point of view.
• We are all also called upon to help one-another, and to treat others
as Jesus would have us treat them. Even if, like everyone, I don’t
always succeed at this, scripture demands that we keep trying.
• The Church must be a place where all feel safe, with no exceptions.
• It is vital that our present parish system is retained and
appropriately resourced for mission.
• I am a long-standing advocate for the continued use of the Book of
Common Prayer, where appropriate and advantageous to do so
• The variety and traditions of the Church of England are what make
it great, both liturgically and in our church buildings. This is a
precious aid to our ministry, and we should treasure this heritage.
• I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles
within the Church, regardless of disability, economic power,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health,
neurodiversity, or sexuality.
WHY I AM STANDING
• We are living in unprecedented times, at a critical juncture for our
Church. The outcomes from General Synod will determine how we,
as followers of Jesus, respond to the challenges we face. The stress
on lay people to maintain a Christian presence in our cities, towns
and villages is enormous, and we must be able to do so with the
confidence that our efforts will be endorsed and supported.
• Church buildings, church halls and churchyards, whilst a blessing to
our witness across the Diocese, can be very difficult to maintain.
Rising utility bills and repair costs feel increasingly burdensome to
hard-pressed laity and clergy. It is vital that the General Synod
remains cognisant of these challenges, and that we receive
appropriate support and funding to enable us to maintain these built
declarations of our faith.
• We must ensure that we work together with other denominations,
and other churches throughout the Anglican Communion, to help
build up God’s Kingdom in our present time, to stand up for peace
and justice, and to encourage civility and integrity in public life.
• Inspired by the example of my late grandparents, and inheriting an
enthusiasm for ecclesiastical architecture, I am committed to using
my skills to give practical support to the wider Diocese in our
collective ministry.