Debbie Sutton
Portsmouth
House of Laity
Statement for General Synod Nomination
Debbie Sutton
My involvement with the Church of England at Parish, Deanery and Diocesan level
confirms my feeling that it is essential that the General Synod is representative of all the
different styles of church that as a Diocese we embrace.
I grew up attending a village church, I studied in London and attended a number of very
urban churches and when I came to Portsmouth to take up a job as an NHS dietitian I
became part of St Judes church in Southsea, where I am still a member. That is where I
met my husband and where our three sons came to faith and remain committed as
adults. I also enjoy Cathedral worship and have recently joined the Consort Choir there.
Singing is an important part of worship for me, but I am very happy to take part in any
style of worship. We all have personal preferences and mine tends towards structure
and liturgy, but provided it is prepared and presented as well as it possibly can be, and is
there to glorify God, I think we should be glad that there is so much choice and variety
available.
My work in the NHS and currently as a Pastoral Worker for Aggie Weston’s Naval Charity
has allowed me to meet a very wide range of people from all walks of life and with a
huge range of concerns and issues. It may not always be appropriate to declare my faith
in the work context, but I hope my words and actions convey acceptance and a non-
judgemental attitude when I am listening and offering support to them.
I would bring that same attitude to my listening and discerning the material brought
before General Synod. It is always the contentious items which gain the attention of the
media, but much of synod’s work impacts on the ordinary and routine work of parish
and clergy. There clearly are divisive issues, but there is so much more that unites us
than divides. And there is so much business that the General Synod is expected to
process that is not divisive that I believe it is important that its members are there with a
genuine concern for all the work that is brought to each session and are not selective
about where they focus their interest.
As current Chair of the House of Laity I have tried to visit all the Deanery Synods and
have been tremendously encouraged at every single one by how much activity is going
on and how innovative and imaginative people are. Much of what is done may not be
shouted about but there is care, concern and love being expressed in many different
ways, all appropriate for the context they are in.
I would be thrilled to be a General Synod member for Portsmouth; it would be a real
privilege. If elected, I would continue to do all I can to learn about the views and
concerns around the Diocese. And by supporting those elements of the Synod’s
business that further enable such initiatives I would hope to play a part in helping them
thrive.
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