Author Archives: fluff35

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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

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 , , , | 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 , , | 5 Comments

Next business, anyone? LLF, Synod, February 2024

Posted on February 27, 2024 by fluff35

 So what happened there? You may well ask. A debate on LLF stopped by the procedural motion to move to Next Business… is that a further kicking of the proverbial can down the unending road, the road which we somehow … Continue reading →

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

Questions of fornication

Posted on February 22, 2024 by fluff35

what is porneia, and what do studies of ancient sexuality say to modern claims about its meaning? Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

One down, one to go: the LLF appointment saga continues

Posted on February 6, 2024 by fluff35

While last week was quite a week in the Church of England, this week is proving just as complicated. And it’s still only Tuesday… After last week’s shenanigans, late on Monday afternoon came the announcement of a second Interim Theological Advisor, … Continue reading →

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Processing the process: LLF continues

Posted on February 5, 2024 by fluff35

After that lurch in the LLF process, once again, questions are raised about who is actually running things in the Church of England. Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Resets, settlement, commitments and explorations… A further update on LLF

Posted on January 29, 2024 by fluff35

So are we going forwards, or backwards? Wherever we are going, we won’t be there for at least another year. Continue reading →

Posted in General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Keeping the church together?

Posted on January 7, 2024 by fluff35

Since I last posted here, some months have passed, but that doesn’t mean nothing has happened. We had the November Synod with hours more of ‘debate’ (which really meant people restating their positions yet again). Then, in December, after the … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Is Synod polarised?

Posted on November 16, 2023 by fluff35

Another Synod, another vote.  After – what was it, over 8 hours? – on Living in Love and Faith in February, we were back in the debating chamber for even longer at the November Synod, this time to vote on … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

No more delays: what the history of the remarriage of divorced people says to the LLF debate

Posted on November 14, 2023 by fluff35

(Full version of the speech to General Synod I gave today, 14 November 2023) I am speaking against this amendment and the next two which want to halt it all until… well, as long as possible. As bishop Sarah said, … Continue reading →

Posted in equal marriage, General Synod, Living in Love and Faith, marriage | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments