Simon Says ...

Simon Taylor Proposed by Geraldine Pond Seconded by Michael Mitton Dear friends, I am the Continuing Ministerial Development Officer and Canon Chancellor of Derby Cathedral.   I’m standing for General Synod because I believe I can offer a clear and articulate voice in complex times. I was brought up in a middle-of-the-road parish church.   A school Christian Union infused my faith with energy and personal commitment.   Working with a United Reform Church in the city centre of Birmingham widened my vision ecumenically and gave me a keen sense of social justice.   As a student I explored Catholic approaches to worship, and at theological college spent a semester in the English College in Rome.   A regular Greenbelter, I have been very involved in alternative worship.   I am, therefore, something of a spiritual mongrel.   Formed by such a variety of church traditions, I firmly believe the Church of England needs them...

A response to GS Misc 1048 . In the interest of transparency, I plan to post all my contributions to the General Synod on this blog.  Not always interesting, but useful and above all open. This is my written response to a Synod paper that asked for feedback. General Synod Simplification Group I write in response to GS Misc 1048. I am very supportive of the general thrust of the Group’s work, and of the specific proposals that it has set out in GS Misc 1048.   In particular, I note that the Group has looked at the Church Representation Rules (CRRs) with a view to simplifying them.   It is very good that the CRRs are available free of charge online, and I hope that this will continue to be the policy of the Synod and the Archbishops’ Council. I would like to add two things to their consideration, both relate to the CRRs. 1.          The need for two annual meetings, with a doubling of notificati...