benefice,canon law,disability,equality,gender identity,isolation,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,ordination,pcc,poverty,safeguarding,sexuality,tei,urban mission

CATHERINE TURNER
Rector of the United Parish of West Buckrose
As the Rector of a united parish, I support 8 churches
and 9 villages set in 100 square miles on the edge of the
Wolds. We have a single, large PCC with local DCCs to
help us manage our parish and its churches. I have held
this post for just over 3 years. Previously I served my title
in a rural benefice in the Diocese of Norwich.
My roots are in North Yorkshire, where my mother’s
family have lived for so many generations that some of
my forebears are buried in my own churchyards, but so
far down I have yet to find them.
My parish includes three schools all of which have
warmly welcomed me including a country primary where
we run our toddler group. I currently serve as the
nominated safeguarding governor in our church school.
Prior to ordination I worked in human resources for various organisations ranging from retail companies
to the NHS giving me a range of experience in different industries. Latterly I worked in a FTSE 100
global company where my work included management training and development, employee
engagement, team building, human rights and change management. When I left, I set up my own
business, consulting with several large businesses to provide advice and support in everything from
health and safety to employee wellbeing and diversity. I trained part time in parallel to consulting.
Why I am standing
I feel called to stand for synod firstly to ensure that the voices of rural ministry and our rural parishes
are heard. 78% of our parishes in the Diocese of York are classified as rural, but within this number we
see a range of contexts from those in small market towns to parishes more like my own, where all the
churches have electricity, but few have running water. Initiatives that work in urban settings and even
small towns often aren’t possible in our rural parishes and so we need to make sure that a realistic rural
lens is always applied. We want all churches to thrive and for rural churches this sometimes means a
different approach to ensure they are doing more than just surviving.
Although we may be fortunate to live in beautiful areas, the beauty often conceals poverty, poor access
to services through a complete lack of public transport and connectivity, as well as social isolation and
health inequalities. This is not just about older people but everyone who lives in a rural area. In North
Yorkshire for example, the reduction in maternity services has led to significant problems for new
mothers and young families, especially those living on some of our more isolated farms. Synod needs
to lend its voice to these issues too.
Secondly, during my time in human resources, I trained as a specialist paralegal in employment law
and later took a Master of Laws degree with the Open University. My dissertation in completion of this
explored intersectional diversity so it will not surprise you to know that I am also committed to ensuring
equality at all levels and roles within the Church, for everyone, regardless of disability, economic power,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality and that
includes intersections of those characteristics. I believe that God loves and welcomes us all and being
passionate about inclusion, I have taught classes on it at my TEI.

What I bring
I would hope to bring the voice of rural churches, ministry and communities to Synod whilst holding
in parallel the needs of our urban mission. General Synod should hear a diversity of voices of all
characteristics and from all contexts and traditions.
I would also bring my skills in HR, a passion for diversity and experience in change management.
For me it isn’t just the issues discussed that matter, it is how we translate decisions for the parishes and
put them into action. This includes consideration of implementation. Change is hard and we need to
plan for it.
My work in employee engagement speaks directly to the need for clergy care and I understand
why it matters and the impact it has. With increasing demands on our time and fewer full-time clergy,
this issue must remain front of mind at Synod.
I have an interest in communication and feel it is important that we ensure there is no disconnect
between the decisions of Synod and those at grass roots level who are expected to enact them. I would
work to bridge this gap wherever possible.
I enjoy the study of laws and interrogation of legislation. I feel strongly that just as secular law
should reflect society and its needs, so canon law should reflect our church as it is today. Law should
always be relevant and enabling, helping us to grow as the body of Christ and to be welcoming to all.
About me
I have been a Christian all my life and throughout my childhood
experienced a range of different churches before finding my way
back to the Church of England via the Church of Scotland and
Methodism.
I am married to Iain, a former head teacher who supports me in
my role in many very practical ways.
We have two adult sons and three grandchildren. My sons were
adopted as young children and through them we have
experience of the care system and the resilience needed to care
for previously looked after children.