anglo-catholic,catholic,dioceses,gay,inclusive,liberal,pcc,same sex,same-sex couples,stipendiary

Diocese of St Albans
General Synod Election 2026-2031
House of Laity

Richard Currie

September 2026

Dear Elector,

I am really pleased to have this opportunity to stand for election to the General
Synod.

My Background

I have had a close connection to Berkhamsted since 1972 when I moved here with
my parents and brother. In the mid-1980s, I moved to London for a few years
returning to the area around 28 years ago and have been living in Berkhamsted for
about the last 18 years.

I was confirmed at St Peter’s about 10 years ago and started serving there soon
after that. Around 5 years ago I became the Head Server. I have also served a full
term on the St Peter’s PCC.

Outside the church, I am the Chair of the Trustees for the John Sayer Almshouses in
Berkhamsted and the Berkhamsted Parochial Charities. With the almshouses, my
fellow trustees and I are in the process of updating its legal structure and then one of
the four units, which is currently uninhabitable, will be fully renovated.

For the last 22 years, I have worked for a global logistics company, predominantly on
the executive board of the UK company, but I also managed part of the business in
Brussels and set up a business unit in the Middle East and Turkey.

If elected, what do I bring?

Having worked in a large organisation with a broad spectrum of individuals, I bring
the ability to work in a team to get projects successfully completed. I have good
communication and interpersonal skills.

I plan to continue working but at a slower pace and believe that after a very busy
business life, I now have the time and experience to contribute and to do valuable
and worthwhile work within the General Synod. I am getting a little older but am still
fit and healthy and have a lot of energy to offer.

I consider myself to be a liberal Anglo Catholic. Being Head Server at St Peter’s
gives me a very strong sense of fulfilment, and I always leave feeling uplifted. I have
built a strong relationship with my serving team, many members of the congregation
and the clergy. I would now like to expand that to the General Synod.

If elected, what are my views?

Falling church attendance is well known to all of us. To try to reverse that, I believe
that the Church of England needs to continue to increase its relevance in people’s
lives. There is constant change in the world and the church, where it can, should try
to recognise that and adapt.

To help achieve that aim, I believe that same sex couples should be allowed to
marry in church. However, I would also support that this should be accompanied by
the freedom of conscience for clergy to opt out should they wish. For my children’s
generation, the perceived exclusion of gay people from marrying in church is
unconscionable. That generation is the future and their views need to be listened to if
the church wishes to maintain and grow congregations into the future. We need to be
fully inclusive. Whilst this is a divisive issue, it needs to be resolved.

Nationwide, there are more clergy retiring than new priests being ordained. If the
Church of England relies more and more on retired clergy and non-ordained
volunteers then it will not encourage congregations to remain in the same number or
grow. Parishioners want to come to church for a service held by their vicar. If that
does not happen on a regular basis then they are likely to stay away. I believe there
should be a detailed case study identifying dioceses that are managing to avoid this
trend and have a stable number of stipendiary clergy alongside those that do not,
and identify the key lessons to be learnt and the detailed actions that should be
taken to reverse the trend.

I am also a team player who listens

If elected, I will also listen closely to the people who elected me so I can be their
voice in General Synod meetings and to serve the interests of the diocese. I have
always been a very good team player and that would continue.

Please feel free to contact me

I would be truly honoured to be elected and to serve the interests of the diocese. If
you can, please vote for me. If you would like to ask me any questions or have a
general discussion, please feel free to contact me on [email protected] or 07801
041 362. Thank you for taking the time to read this election address.

Yours sincerely,

Richard