I'd say it's one of the most interesting things going on in my life right now - but then there's a Pentecost Picnic on the Vicarage Lawn after this Sunday's service, so I'm trying to keep the chickens under control, my daughter is undergoing SATS, sadly curate Peter Matthews is leaving in a fortnight, and last Sunday we made kites out of candyfloss sticks, bin bags and duct tape during the monthly OPEN2 service. (Yes they did indeed fly - The Wind blows where it will, especially in Tunstall)
So the elections are going to have to take their place alongside other exciting things, but here's my Election address in case you'd like to vote for me ( pretty please with a cherry on top?). I've been proposed by Rev'd Yvonne Callaghan, Richmond Deanery and seconded by Rev'd Canon Tony Shepherd, St Peter's, Harrogate Deanery.
General Synod Election Address
Lindsay Southern? Who's she?
Currently a newbie incumbent at the Parish of Catterick and Tunstall, Richmond Deanery, bordering the largest garrison in Europe, following training at Cranmer Hall and a curacy in Wensley deanery. Grew up in Hong Kong and rumoured to have Methodist roots, but of Heinz churchmanship owing to years as an army wife in contact with Padres of all traditions. Currently serving on the Diocesan Synod and actively contributing to debates there and at Deanery Synod. Attended the Lambeth Palace Transformations Conference in 2011.
Why the interest in General Synod?
Passionate about General Synod (admittedly, I don’t get out much), esp. as a forum for lay, ordained and episcopal perspectives to be shared as we discern together where the Holy Spirit is leading us as a church and how best to serve the Kingdom of God here and now. Rather than being disillusioned by its flaws, I’m mostly impressed a lot of the work being done, for example the Living Wage and qualifying connections. Having watched attentively from the sidelines, I’d like to engage more actively. It’s been said that often I ask
questions privately thought by others but not always articulated. So it’s likely I will be a questioning voice at Synod, possibly tentatively enquiring about the Emperor's new clothes. If, after reading this, or speaking with me (licensetobless@gmail.com, T: 01748 811462), you think I may be the right candidate for the role, please put me as your first preference General Synod representative.
Likely to get excited about?
Faith schools and RE as a core curriculum subject, military, chaplaincy work, Methodist covenant and other ecumenical initiatives, learning from other churches within the Anglican communion, encouraging discipleship in the context of everyday life 24/7.
Where do you stand on controversial stuff like...
Dioceses Commission Report? I voted in support of it at Diocesan Synod because of clear mission opportunities for the urban conurbations. But I also expressed concern about the potentially negative effect upon rural areas, should the urban centre of gravity eclipse rural concerns and access to resources. I think it’s important that at General Synod both rural and urban perspectives inform the Church of England’s decision making. I’m aware that the Archbishop of York has decided to present the report to General Synod for
consideration, despite Wakefield Synod’s lack of support, and that it still commands the support of Ripon and Leeds Diocese.
Women Bishop’s legislation?
The current situation is detrimental to the life and witness of the church, as well as the spiritual wellbeing of many women. Initially I supported provision through a code of practice but now think it’s likely to exacerbate division rather than promote unity in the long term. A single clause measure, with pastoral provision made outside the core legislation, has the most integrity in terms of justice, theology and ecclesiology and is the most constructive in terms of mission. However, I look forward to seeing if new proposals offer a way forward through the current impasse and would vote for something that enables Bishops, both male and female, to flourish in their ministry. I’ve served on the National committee of WATCH
(Women and the Church) for four years, recently stepping down as Chair of Ripon and Leeds WATCH and am aware of the complexities of the issues.
Gay marriage?
Sympathetic to C of E reservations about redefining marriage, but concerned that recent pronouncements from both Church and State jeopardize engagement with the Anglican Communion’s own commitment to listen to the experience of homosexual persons, (Lambeth 1.10) which was made as long ago as 1998. It’s untenable for the Church of England end up in a situation where it’s illegal for us to conduct same-sex marriages even if Synod’s own discernment process found it acceptable. As a priest, I would like to
see the church remove the official ban on blessing of same-sex civil partnerships.
Is General Synod doing too much navel gazing?
No, I don’t think so, it’s important we don’t set up long term structures and systems at odds with the gospel message we proclaim. In 2012 there were Diocesan Motions about internal structural issues such as; how the Anglican communion links should maintained, the organisational shape of the Church of England, workings of the General Synod. How the church decides to integrate, or fails to integrate people of differing races, ages, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, social and educational backgrounds, are genuinely important matters rather than self indulgent naval-gazing precisely because organisational systems and structures communicate something about how people are valued. That in turn effects how people see themselves in relation to others and to God. The outcomes of these debates will have an impact on our ability to communicate the good news of the Gospel effectively with integrity and to care for people pastorally. Desmond Tutu wrote that ‘In South
Africa, the victims of the apartheid system often ended up internalizing the definition the system had of them...One of the most blasphemous consequences of injustice and prejudice is that it can make a child of God doubt that he or she is a child of God. But no-one is a stepchild of God. No-one’ (God has a Dream p.40 Kindle edition). Our structures, processes and decisions should strive to reflect that reality.
