chaplaincy,discipleship,inclusive,jewish,lgbtq,living in love and faith,neurodiversity,pccs,retirement,sexuality,working class

Church and Diocesan Service:
• I have been a licensed lay minister for seven
years and have experience serving in both
urban and rural parishes. I currently serve
predominantly at St Giles Church in the
centre of Norwich where I preach, lead
services and co-lead a Community Café.
• Since September 2025 I have been the
Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers in
the diocese of Norwich.
• I have served on various PCCs and am also
secretary of a diocesan charity which
supports retired clergy.
• I am a Chaplain at Norwich Cathedral and a
Staff Mentor for those training as Lay
Ministers in the diocese.
Life Beyond Church:
• I was a primary school teacher, Senior
Manager and Lead for English and RE for 35
years.
• For several years I was a staff governor, both
in a city school in an area of deprivation and
later in a village school.
• Once a month I volunteer with a street
feeding team in Norwich.
• I also work part time in hospitality, welcoming
pilgrims from around the world.
• I enjoy walking, reading and spending time
with family and friends.
Nominated by: Dr Jane McClarty – Deanery Lay Chair, Ingworth & Sparham
Seconded by: Professor Roger Bland – Deanery Lay Chair, Holt.
Dear Elector,
I am standing for General Synod because I am passionate
about lay ministry, committed to serving our communities
and determined to help the Church of England flourish for
future generations. As someone deeply rooted in lived
ministry, I would welcome your first preference vote.
I am 59 and taught in primary schools for 35 years. Faith had
always been my anchor, but my ministry was always
squeezed in around school life. Four years ago, after moving
into the centre of Norwich, God's nudge became increasingly
difficult to ignore. Two years later, I took early retirement, and
since then God has opened doors to opportunities I could
never have imagined!
I’ve worked in a pastoral role at a Jewish Summer Camp for
three summers, helped launch a community café based in
our church, supported local neighbourhood groups, enjoyed
chaplaincy at the Cathedral, joined charity boards and
mentored LLM students. I want to ensure that the voices of
lay people, parishes and local communities are heard clearly
in national decision-making. I believe the Church is
strongest when people who hold different perspectives
listen to one another with grace, honesty and respect.
What would I bring to Synod:
•
Insight into Licensed Lay Ministry, discipleship and
encouraging confident Christian service in local
communities.
•
Experience of working collaboratively at parish and
diocesan level with clergy, laity and bishops.
•
A grounded approach to discussions around parish
experience and pastoral concerns.
•
Compassion, practicality and lived experience,
alongside a willingness to listen and learn.

Iii

I believe that God's gifts are found throughout the whole people of God. This includes
LGBTQ+ people, whose vocation, ministry and discipleship should be recognised, celebrated
and nurtured. I support the Church's continuing journey through Living in Love and Faith
towards greater inclusion and belonging.
Thank you for reading my electoral statement, I hope you will give me your first preference vote. Should
you wish to contact me about anything, I would be very happy to hear from you:
Helen Grogutt
8 Aldwych House, 57 Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2 1NW. [email protected]
As the Church of England faces important decisions about its future direction, I feel called to serve
on General Synod.
Service in the Community:
I have seen the church grow when it is outward
facing, inclusive and rooted in community life.
Alongside much that is prosperous and
flourishing in Norwich, I also encounter
significant deprivation and need. Through our
weekly community café, engagement with
residents and through volunteering with a
Street Feeding Team, I see how the church can
be Christ in difficult circumstances. I am
passionate about us working together to do all
that we can to reduce inequalities in society.
Encouraging Lay Ministry and Discipleship:
The Church's future depends on the
confidence, faithfulness and gifts of all God's
people. I believe that the parish system
remains one of the Church of England’s
greatest strengths and that thriving local
churches are essential to serving every
community. Throughout my ministry I have
been passionate about equipping others to
discover their vocation and serve Christ in their
everyday lives. Whether through mentoring Lay
Ministers, supporting those in training or
encouraging ministry within local churches, I
have seen how people flourish when they are
trusted, nurtured and given opportunities to
grow. I want to advocate for a Church that
invests in discipleship and fully recognises the
vital contribution of lay people in every
community.
Listening Across Difference:
General Synod brings together people with a wide
range of experiences, traditions and convictions.
At a time when debate can sometimes become
polarised, I believe the Church needs people who
are willing to listen carefully, speak honestly and
seek common ground wherever possible. My
experience in education, parish ministry and
diocesan service has taught me the importance of
building relationships and valuing different
perspectives. I would seek to contribute
thoughtfully, respectfully and prayerfully to
Synod's discussions and decision-making.
Inclusion:
"The members of the body that seem to be weaker
are indispensable."
(1 Corinthians 12:22)

Coming from a working-class background where I
was the first in my family to obtain a degree, I have
a strong desire to see more working-class
candidates being selected to and supported in
training as Lay Ministers and Clergy. All too often
gifts are overlooked by conventional measures of
status, education or influence. I am fully
committed to widening participation in training
pathways for all, regardless of background,
gender, ethnicity, learning need, neurodiversity or
sexuality.