From Sylvia Overfield
Sir, — Congratulations to the Revd Dr Giles Fraser on yet another excellent article (Comment, 11 July). On the subject of lay representation on the General Synod, I fear that the problem will not be resolved unless the current voting system is changed.
Several years ago, when I represented my parish on deanery synod and therefore had the privilege of voting for lay representatives to the General Synod, I was appalled to discover that only 38 per cent of those entitled to vote had done so, thus disenfranchising those parishes they represented. When I pointed this out to the lay chair, I was asked: “What do you expect? This is the Church of England.”
I believe that every worshipping member on the electoral roll should be able to vote. Local hustings should be held, and candidates should be available for questioning before elections. Only this way can Synod give true representation of the lay people in the pews if they are elected by and accountable to them.
I accept that a little more organisation may be needed to allow such changes, not least in getting the current Synod to vote for a change, but it could result in a vibrant representation much more in tune with the living, breathing, praying C of E that most of us recognise.
The alternative is to let the church anoraks continue in their much loved spiral of standing orders and officialdom; and the public image of our Church will continue to deteriorate.
SYLVIA OVERFIELD
2 Lawrence Crescent
Gipton, Leeds LS8 3HX
From Mr Simon Baynes
Sir, — The Revd Dr Giles Fraser makes some good points in his article, but fails to spot the key reason why the Synod is so unrepresentative of those in the pews.
I was elected while still in full-time employment. Many lay members of General Synod are elected once they are retired.
I am happy to serve on the Synod, which takes up a great deal of time: I need to give up ten days’ holiday each year out of my annual allowance of just 30 days.
SIMON BAYNES
General Synod member
4 Pilgrim Close, St Albans
Hertfordshire AL2 2JD
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