Author Archives: fluff35

About fluff35

I blog on a range of subjects arising from various aspects of my life. On https://theretiringacademic.wordpress.com, I focus on my reactions to early retirement and think about aspects of teaching and research which I hope will be stimulating to those still working in higher education. On https://shared-conversations.com, I blog as an authorized lay preacher in a pretty standard parish church of the Church of England, who needs to write in order to find out what she thinks. I took part in the Oxford/St Albans/Armed Forces C of E 'Shared Conversations' in March 2016, worked on the Living in Love and Faith resources from 2017 and was elected to General Synod in October 2021, and continue to try to reflect on some of the issues. On https://mistakinghistories.wordpress.com I share my thoughts on various aspects of the history of medicine and the body. I have also written for The Conversation UK on https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-king-94923/articles

Intimate Matters Part 2: Common usage?

Posted on September 2, 2026 by fluff35

It seems to me that the real challenge is whether we can negotiate our different expressions of loving relationships with others according to our firm convictions, while not judging those who make other choices. On the evidence of the PMM debate, apparently we can’t. Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged Bernadette Lang, Chorleywood, Clergy Discipline Measure, single life, virginity | 1 Comment

Intimate Matters Part 1: Beyond the indeterminate physical

Posted on September 1, 2026 by fluff35

What are we talking about in the C of E when we use the terminology of ‘intimacy’? Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged canon law, Ed Shaw, Elena Duglioli, euphemism, Judith Hahn, Living Out, Lucy Sixsmith, Maude Royden, Mike Pilavachi, Neil Patterson, Prayers of Love and Faith, sex, sexuality | 2 Comments

Synod At Home (4) – Rest From our Labours

Posted on July 16, 2026 by fluff35

The final day of the Synod quinquennium. I’m not finished yet and intend to stand in the elections, Then it’s up to the lay deanery synod members of my diocese whether or not I resume membership. Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod | Tagged care system, children, education, environment, Ministry Development Board, Safeguarding, transparency | Leave a comment

Synod At Home (3) – Long Monday

Posted on July 13, 2026 by fluff35

Why can’t the bishops agree to welcome people regardless of sexual orientation? Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage, Safeguarding | Tagged General Synod, homosexuality, Prayers of Love and Faith, sexuality, trust | 2 Comments

Synod At Home (2) – Sunday into Monday

Posted on July 13, 2026 by fluff35

Sunday at Synod always begins with a communion service from York Minster. Lots of members don’t go, for a variety of reasons, but for me it has been one of the highlights of Synod membership. And I am happy to … Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod | Tagged environment, Palestine, York Minster | Leave a comment

Synod At Home (1)

Posted on July 12, 2026 by fluff35

What’s it like doing Synod on zoom for 5 days? Some reactions and survival tactics Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod | Tagged Archbishop of Canterbury, communication, conversion practices, dyslexia, neurodivergence, ordination of women, Prayers of Love and Faith, unity | 2 Comments

Learning to love and be loved: bishops, bodies and my Private Member’s Motion

Posted on July 4, 2026 by fluff35

I’ve been silent here since the end of May; and in that piece, I commented that “it’s over two months since I last posted here, and readers may be wondering whether I’m still alive”. Now we are in July, regular readers … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown Nominations Commission, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged bishops, Higton motion, homosexuality, intimacy, ordination of women, Rowan Williams, sexuality, Southwark diocese, Statement of Needs, Terry Louden | 4 Comments

Going quiet: working towards a new bishop

Posted on May 24, 2026 by fluff35

Another stage of being in the Church of England – discerning who should be the next bishop Continue reading →

Posted in Crown Nominations Commission, General Synod | Tagged bishops, Crown Nominations Commissions, discernment, Vacancy in See Committee | 4 Comments

Five Guiding Principles and two key issues for the Church: recognising the wiggle room

Posted on March 16, 2026 by fluff35

Five Guiding Principles – why leave it at that? We’ve been told we could add a Sixth… Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York, Charlie Bell, eucharist, homophobia, homosexuality, Judith Maltby, Martyn Snow, misogyny, ordination of women, Sarah Mullally, women bishops, women priests | 3 Comments

Consider the lilies: on changing one’s mind

Posted on February 15, 2026 by fluff35

How the church flowers debate cheered up this member of Synod! Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged environment, House of Bishops, Mary Tanner, ordination of women, parish, synod | Leave a comment