abuse,deaneries,dioceses,disability,discernment,domestic abuse,environment,equality,finances,gaza,gender identity,housing,mental health,mission,missional,neurodiversity,pcc,prayer,safeguarding,scripture,sexuality,social action,ukraine,universities

Election Address

Prof Charlotte Clarke

Newcastle

House of Laity

Full Election Address Text

CHARLOTTE LAURA CLARKE
Standing for the House of Laity of General Synod
Nominator 1: John Marshall OBE (Diocesan Synod member)
Nominator 2: Izzy McDonald-Booth (Diocesan Chair of the House of Laity)
Why?!
I am offering to serve on General Synod because of my deep commitment to mission and social action that aligns with being Christ-centred and Scripture focussed.
My personal mission is to amplify the voice and potential of those vulnerable to exclusion and to work with others to achieve this – this fundamentally shapes and is shaped by my work and life as a Christian.
I have worshiped at St. Michael & All Angel’s Parish Church in Felton, Northumberland, since moving into the village 15 years ago. In that time, I served on the PCC for nine years and as treasurer for five years.
I am in my third and final year in training as a Reader with Lindisfarne College of Theology and have relished learning and growing in confidence in lay-led ministry and preaching.
My life has been a rich tapestry of adventure and misadventure throughout which my faith has been a calm presence and the many people in my life are a joyful presence! From my three (now adult) children and two grandchildren, I have learned of the importance of patience, of courage and of communicating with clarity.
My working life has included nursing with older people and those at the end of their lives and working in research and academic management at the Universities of Northumbria, Edinburgh and, currently, Durham. Much of my academic work has challenged stigma and developed services for those with dementia, underpinned by a sense of meaning and purpose, and has sought to highlight and address unfair health inequalities and associated unfair educational and economic opportunities.
I have experience of strategic leadership and management, including at Durham University as Executive Dean for more than five years and now as Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health). Through these experiences, I have learned to work collaboratively, represent people, express my voice and have an evidenced position on matters that are often contested and debated such as will be present in General Synod.
My commitment to mission and social action is also advanced through support to those leaving situations of conflict in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine (through the Council for At-Risk Academics and Homes for Ukraine). I have been honoured recently to have been invited to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Handcrafted, a NE Christian charity offering support, housing and training for those who experience exclusion in society e.g. prison leavers, women who have experienced domestic abuse, care leavers - https://www.handcrafted.org.uk
How?
I will work with General Synod and our Deaneries and Parishes in Newcastle Dioceses to advance a culture and environment in which there are no impediments to people engaging in journeys of faith: ‘Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed’ (Hebrews 12:13).
My ambition is to enable the Church of England to work evermore towards responding to human need, seeking to transform unjust societal structures and safeguarding the integrity of creation. This missional focus can lead us to challenge the normal order of society when it is to the disadvantage and oppression of some but through Christian faith and Scripture, the church can achieve in social action ‘abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20).
Also shaping the perspective that I would bring to representing you in General Synod is a belief in the gifts that every single person brings to our lives. The base of this statue includes the verse Matthew 25:40: ‘Truly, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me’ – and I wonder, are we being asked for something or are we being offered a gift!
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.
I will be actively engaged in all matters that come to General Synod for debate and discernment, with a particular focus on the current issues of:
Mission and ministry
Equity and inclusion
Custodianship of creation, climate and land use
Witnessing marginalised voices and walking alongside people
Enabling organisational measures such as finances
Ten years ago, I worked with others in my home Parish, to establish a community allotment – a space where we encourage people to ‘Come on in, take a seat, and listen’ – sowing seeds of faith. Collective worship and individual prayer involve a transition – they are not rituals that leave us in the same place – our hearts and minds are being moved as the seed of God’s words take root and shape our futures. And so General Synod needs to pay attention to the grassroots of our parishes whilst also shaping a society in which everyone can thrive in faith.
I am committed to working towards achieving this and would be privileged to receive your vote. Thank you, Charlotte
Please use your vote!!
“I am delighted to propose Charlotte for this important role. I know her well and feel privileged to regard her as the wisest of counsel. She is not afraid to speak her mind, but is a good listener and a compassionate and caring individual who always makes time for others. She is diligent in all she does, and will be a great representative for our Diocese.” John Marshall OBE (Diocesan Synod member)“I am delighted to propose Charlotte for this important role. I know her well and feel privileged to regard her as the wisest of counsel. She is not afraid to speak her mind, but is a good listener and a compassionate and caring individual who always makes time for others. She is diligent in all she does, and will be a great representative for our Diocese.” John Marshall OBE (Diocesan Synod member)I welcome discussion – please do contact me on: [email protected]
“I am delighted to propose Charlotte for this important role. I know her well and feel privileged to regard her as the wisest of counsel. She is not afraid to speak her mind, but is a good listener and a compassionate and caring individual who always makes time for others. She is diligent in all she does, and will be a great representative for our Diocese.” John Marshall OBE (Diocesan Synod member)
“I am delighted to propose Charlotte for this important role. I know her well and feel privileged to regard her as the wisest of counsel. She is not afraid to speak her mind, but is a good listener and a compassionate and caring individual who always makes time for others. She is diligent in all she does, and will be a great representative for our Diocese.” John Marshall OBE (Diocesan Synod member)

Terms used in address

abuse,deaneries,dioceses,disability,discernment,domestic abuse,environment,equality,finances,gaza,gender identity,housing,mental health,mission,missional,neurodiversity,pcc,prayer,safeguarding,scripture,sexuality,social action,ukraine,universities

Theological Tradition Terms

Theological Tradition Sentences

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gender identity,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

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.

Safeguarding Terms

abuse,domestic abuse,safeguarding

Safeguarding Sentences

I have been honoured recently to have been invited to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Handcrafted, a NE Christian charity offering support, housing and training for those who experience exclusion in society e.g. prison leavers, women who have experienced domestic abuse, care leavers - https://www.handcrafted.org.uk How? ------ My ambition is to enable the Church of England to work evermore towards responding to human need, seeking to transform unjust societal structures and safeguarding the integrity of creation.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

mission,missional

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

I am offering to serve on General Synod because of my deep commitment to mission and social action that aligns with being Christ-centred and Scripture focussed. ------ My personal mission is to amplify the voice and potential of those vulnerable to exclusion and to work with others to achieve this – this fundamentally shapes and is shaped by my work and life as a Christian. ------ My commitment to mission and social action is also advanced through support to those leaving situations of conflict in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine (through the Council for At-Risk Academics and Homes for Ukraine). ------ This missional focus can lead us to challenge the normal order of society when it is to the disadvantage and oppression of some but through Christian faith and Scripture, the church can achieve in social action ‘abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). ------ I will be actively engaged in all matters that come to General Synod for debate and discernment, with a particular focus on the current issues of: Mission and ministry Equity and inclusion Custodianship of creation, climate and land use Witnessing marginalised voices and walking alongside people Enabling organisational measures such as finances Ten years ago, I worked with others in my home Parish, to establish a community allotment – a space where we encourage people to ‘Come on in, take a seat, and listen’ – sowing seeds of faith.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

discernment,prayer,scripture

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

I am offering to serve on General Synod because of my deep commitment to mission and social action that aligns with being Christ-centred and Scripture focussed. ------ This missional focus can lead us to challenge the normal order of society when it is to the disadvantage and oppression of some but through Christian faith and Scripture, the church can achieve in social action ‘abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). ------ I will be actively engaged in all matters that come to General Synod for debate and discernment, with a particular focus on the current issues of: Mission and ministry Equity and inclusion Custodianship of creation, climate and land use Witnessing marginalised voices and walking alongside people Enabling organisational measures such as finances Ten years ago, I worked with others in my home Parish, to establish a community allotment – a space where we encourage people to ‘Come on in, take a seat, and listen’ – sowing seeds of faith. ------ Collective worship and individual prayer involve a transition – they are not rituals that leave us in the same place – our hearts and minds are being moved as the seed of God’s words take root and shape our futures.

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,environment,equality,gaza,housing,mental health,neurodiversity,social action,ukraine

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

I am offering to serve on General Synod because of my deep commitment to mission and social action that aligns with being Christ-centred and Scripture focussed. ------ My commitment to mission and social action is also advanced through support to those leaving situations of conflict in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine (through the Council for At-Risk Academics and Homes for Ukraine). ------ I have been honoured recently to have been invited to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Handcrafted, a NE Christian charity offering support, housing and training for those who experience exclusion in society e.g. prison leavers, women who have experienced domestic abuse, care leavers - https://www.handcrafted.org.uk How? ------ I will work with General Synod and our Deaneries and Parishes in Newcastle Dioceses to advance a culture and environment in which there are no impediments to people engaging in journeys of faith: ‘Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed’ (Hebrews 12:13). ------ This missional focus can lead us to challenge the normal order of society when it is to the disadvantage and oppression of some but through Christian faith and Scripture, the church can achieve in social action ‘abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). ------ 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.

Clergy Concerns Terms

Clergy Concerns Sentences

Church Structure & Policy Terms

deaneries,dioceses,finances,pcc

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

In that time, I served on the PCC for nine years and as treasurer for five years. ------ I will work with General Synod and our Deaneries and Parishes in Newcastle Dioceses to advance a culture and environment in which there are no impediments to people engaging in journeys of faith: ‘Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed’ (Hebrews 12:13). ------ I will be actively engaged in all matters that come to General Synod for debate and discernment, with a particular focus on the current issues of: Mission and ministry Equity and inclusion Custodianship of creation, climate and land use Witnessing marginalised voices and walking alongside people Enabling organisational measures such as finances Ten years ago, I worked with others in my home Parish, to establish a community allotment – a space where we encourage people to ‘Come on in, take a seat, and listen’ – sowing seeds of faith.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms

universities

Youth & Next Generation Sentences

My working life has included nursing with older people and those at the end of their lives and working in research and academic management at the Universities of Northumbria, Edinburgh and, currently, Durham.