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

Milestone Day or Groundhog Day?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by fluff35

July Synod is over. Another long meeting, which was extended by having a separate meeting of the House of Laity before ‘Synod proper’. This time around, we had earlier starts (8.45), shorter meal breaks, and one evening session scheduled to … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, Safeguarding, Shared Conversations | Tagged Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York, Bishop Martyn Snow, Shared Conversations, soul survivor, wellbeing | 1 Comment

July Synod 2024: one more sleep

Posted on July 4, 2024 by fluff35

Usually when I go to the July Synod I take up the offer of a lift with one of the other Oxford members. It’s useful to chat through the agenda, and just to catch up. But this time we have … Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged Journey metaphor | Leave a comment

LLF: Moving Forward as One Church

Posted on June 24, 2024 by fluff35

For those who don’t have the time or the inclination to read the latest document and the latest motion arising from Living in Love and Faith, which come to Synod in July – both in the 31-pages of GS2358 – here’s my … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged CEEC, Church Society, ecclesiology, equal marriage, House of Bishops | 3 Comments

Removing the fiction: wrangling bishops

Posted on June 15, 2024 by fluff35

It’s one thing to say that we respect our different theological convictions, but it’s quite another to say what you believe or who you are when you know you are going to attract criticism; and when you are the one without the power, and the person to whom you are speaking has all the power. Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod | Tagged confidentiality, honesty, House of Bishops, Secretary General, transparency | 1 Comment

Transparency, trust and bishops

Posted on June 13, 2024 by fluff35

I’ve been silent on this blog for a while. Partly that’s because I haven’t been involved in the three Working Groups which have been meeting to discuss various facets of the ongoing Living in Love and Faith discussions (even though … Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged Andrew Atherstone, Bishop Martyn Snow, history, House of Bishops, Standing Orders, transparency, trust | 2 Comments

Hidden in plain sight: Soul Survivor again

Posted on May 16, 2024 by fluff35

Earlier this week there was a surprising announcement from Soul Survivor Watford of their new senior pastor. On X/Twitter, @needs_light tweeted that the person appointed is Simon Nicholls, a former Soul Survivor employee in a range of roles, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Safeguarding | Tagged abuse, celebrity, Fiona Scolding, healing, Laya Watters, Robert Thompson, soul survivor | 4 Comments

Opening the jar, carrying the load

Posted on May 5, 2024 by fluff35

There’s a lot of Stuff swishing around in the Church of England right now. The focus at the moment may be on the composition of the latest groups which have been set up, comprised of people with different views being … Continue reading →

Posted in Church of England and gender, Episcopal Teaching Document, equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged Anglican Communion, Eve, Holy Matrimony, listening, pain, Pandora | 2 Comments

Jesus is coming, look busy: onwards with Living in Love and Faith?

Posted on April 17, 2024 by fluff35

There used to be bumper stickers with the message, ‘Jesus is coming – look busy!’ Leaving aside the dodginess of that idea – and here I’d mention the Archbishop of York’s counter-argument, Do Nothing to Change Your Life: Discovering What Happens … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged Faith and Order Commission, Prayers of Love and Faith, same-sex marriage, stakeholder groups | Leave a comment

Surviving Soul Survivor

Posted on April 10, 2024 by fluff35

I want to start with a disclosure. While I think I had at least heard the clever title, I knew nothing about Soul Survivor until the early 2000s. I had assumed it was some sort of cult thing, probably to … Continue reading →

Posted in preaching, Safeguarding | Tagged Matt and Beth Redman, Mike Pilavachi, Nine O'Clock Service, soul survivor | 7 Comments

Not the Usual Suspects

Posted on April 6, 2024 by fluff35

It’s rare in my experience of the Church of England to find myself quoted by those higher up the food chain. When I was called to speak at the July Synod, I observed that ‘Notice Paper V – which sets … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged CEEC, Eeva John, stakeholder groups | 5 Comments