inclusive,inclusive church,lgbt,pcc,safeguarding,safeguarding officer,sunday school

General Synod Election Address

Name: Shannon Louise Short
Church: St. Mildred
Deanery: Canterbury

Proposed by: David Kemp- St. Alphege, Seasalter
Seconded by: Samuel Keeler-Walker- Licenced lay reader at St.
Paul’s Canterbury

Dear siblings in Christ,

Several years ago, I found myself lost, full of grief and needing support. After the loss of my
youngest daughter and navigating life as a single mum to a child with additional needs, I was
struggling to find places that supported and welcomed us. My old nursery teacher invited us
to a play group at church, and we finally found a place we felt safe. A couple of years later, I
decided to start attending Sunday services again. After a couple of months of sitting in the
pew at St. Mildred’s, smelling the incense and listening to the organ, I realised I was home.

I started getting involved more at St. Mildred’s by joining the PCC and becoming part of the
serving team as I wanted to give back to the church that supported me so much. I felt a
calling to serve my church further and decided to become a safeguarding officer and most
recently a church warden. Being on Diocesan Synod has given me the ability to deepen my
knowledge and faith as well as connect with those around my deanery and diocese. I joined
St. Paul’s in Canterbury as my daughter was keen to start Sunday school and I wanted to
become a part of a choir again. Meeting new people and experiencing different types of
worship has strengthened my faith and the importance of being in an inclusive church.

Outside the church, I have recently qualified as an adult nurse and have been a carer for the
last 10 years. I have had the privilege to care for people in their final days, which has been
supported and encouraged by my faith and the gifts I feel God has given me. I believe our
faith and commitment to God can be shown throughout every aspect of our lives; even in the
little things and shouldn’t be confined to Sunday morning services. I believe it is important to
share our faith and Jesus’ teachings of welcome and inclusion to support our communities
and especially those who feel they don’t belong in the church. This was one of the reasons I
became an LGBT+ Chaplain, to provide a safe and welcoming space for those who needed
it. It was important for me to listen and understand stories of others as well as ensuring
people had their voices heard and were being represented within the church.

My own experience within the church has given me a greater understanding of how
important safeguarding is as well as the need to listen to one another and grow the kingdom
of God together. I have also experienced people trying to put me into a group. Either I was in
the mum group, LGBT+ group, student or younger group. I realised that although I am all of
these, my identity didn’t come from these but from Christ. This solidified the idea that the
Church of England is for everyone and should welcome everyone no matter what other
identities you have. This grew my interest in the Church of England and how the Church is
governed and grows. I believe effective change comes from all elements of church life - from
the weekly activities in the local church to the governing bodies like Diocesan and General
synod.

I’d like to leave you with a verse from Matthew: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.