SimonDStanley

Spending the day in St Albans Cathedral rehearsing for tonight's concert with @stalbansbachchoir.bsky.social Given the weather outside, the storm section seems appropriate.

Arrived in Liverpool for #LabConf25 at the #ChrLeft conference service this morning with the warmest of welcomes from the Acting Bishop of Liverpool reminding all of the 40th anniversary of Faith in the City and the values the City of Liverpool of welcone and hospitality.

Press releases | The Church of England Latest news, updates and commentary from the Church of England.

The Director of Cathedral and Church Buildings, National Curch Insitutions, thanks the CMS Committee for highlighting the positive contributions of parish churches to local communities and pressing DCMS for the need of a long term funding.

www.churchofengland.org/media/press-...

On the Tuesday 15 July, Church Staff and others from the Heritage Sector gave evidence to the CMS Built Heritage Committee Enquiry. You can read the evidence here:
committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/1…
and find the CMS Committee letter here: committees.parliament.uk/publications/4���

Thank you @CommonsCMS, for recognising in your letter to @DCMS the importance of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, need for a clear future beyond 2026, and the role played by churches as hubs in their community. #Church @thechurchmouse.bsky.social @churchofengland.org @synodnews.bsky.social

Today is the Introduction of the Bp of Chester to the House of Lords. He will be supported by the Bp of Winchester and Bp of Lincoln.

Fabulous short debate in the Lords tonight on the future of music education in state schools. Lord Harries former Bishop of Oxford speaking on role of churches and cathedrals giving young people opportunity and acess across England. Watch 7.30pm wwwparliamentlive.tv/lords #music #classical #singing

House of Lords are debating the work and impact of craft businesses in the UK. Both Bp Chichester and Bp Southwark will speak about the value of craft skills to churches and cathedrals. Watch here at 3pm parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

“How much have your religious views influenced your decision?”: religion and the assisted dying debate In this essay, Nick Spencer unpacks the role of religion in public debate. Is there really any difference between a religious and non–religious argument? 12/06/2024

Useful report from Theos ahead of the debate in the Commons on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/202...

House of Commons - Hansard - UK Parliament Browse Hansard content by date for the House of Commons.

Text of debate in Commons today on contribution of parishes to their local community. Transcript here: hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-0…
Great contributions from MPs showcasing the work undertaken by clergy and volunteers in their constituencies. #churchofengland #Synod #Church

Debate today in Westminster Hall looking at the contribution of churches to their local communities hosted by Rt Hon John Glen MP and The Second Church Estates Commissioner Marsha De Cordova MP. Watch from 9.30am parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5d…

Church Qs in the House of Commons today. @marshadecordova.bsky.social answering on Listed Places of Worship Funding, Palestinian Christians on West Bank, Eco Churches, Lithium Minining Investment in North East and Project Spire. Watch from 10.10am here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/77…

Marsha sat down with Emily Thornberry and Lisa Nandy

Good to meet with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport @lLisa Nandy & @emilythornberry.bsky.social to discuss the Listed Places of Worship Scheme & how we can protect historic church buildings in constituencies across the country.

I was proud to speak up in Parliament against changes to social security set out in the #SpringStatement.

30% of disabled people already live in poverty. Cuts to social security will simply make a bad situation worse.

Back early in Parliament after last night supporting amendments to the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill.

Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament Current version of Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill [HL] with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses

Sorry this is the right link
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3763

Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament Current version of Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill [HL] with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses

Sorry this is the right link
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3763

Today the @bishmanchester.bsky.social 's Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill will complete its third reading and move to the House of Commons. You can read the Bill here: bills.parliament.uk/publications/5…

Marsha standing on a rooftop with a view of Parliament

Marsha with the record collection

Marsha with two members of staff at the library (one woman, one man)

📜 Lovely to be given a tour of Lambeth Palace Library and see a few pieces from their impressive archive collection.

Not a bad view either! ☀️

A privilege to be ashed and then to ash Parliamentarians and staff at the Ash Wednesday service in St Mary’s Undercroft. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.”

Today the @bishmanchester.bsky.social's Bill to equalise the treatment of care leavers and acess to support from Universal Credit reaches Committee Stage in the House of Lords. No amendments proposed, so it will pass to Third Reading.

What have i done this week to get on a call/mailing list for "later life care" 10 calls asking me about care plans or moving service provider. 5 emails about accessible baths/stair lifts, 7 on funeral preparation.
Working at Synod is exhausting but doesn't age you that quickly. @churchofengland.org

When the Makin Review was published, I said it must be a watershed moment for the Church.

I maintained this view in my Maiden Speech at General Synod.

To begin to rebuild trust & confidence in the Church, General Synod must vote in favour of independent safeguarding operations today.

@marshadecordova.bsky.social giving her maiden speech at General Synod on 'Future of Safeguarding'. Urging the adoption of Model 4, recognising challenges but need for culture change, 'independent' safeguarding & a Church that is transparent, accountable and consistent.

✝ General Synod 2025 - the Church of England's version of Parliament - starts today.

As Second Church Estates Commissioner, I will be supporting an independent safeguarding model for scrutiny & operations - to rebuild trust, confidence & to keep people safe.

Ely Cathedral, England

Ely Cathedral, England

Ely Cathedral, England
photo: Peter Li

✨ The mesmerising nave roof of Peterborough Cathedral—crafted from oak in the early 13th century—is unlike any other in Britain. It's one of the great geometric masterpieces in our cathedrals, a stunning kaleidoscope carved in wood.

At the College of Policing addressing the National Ethics Conference today, as co-chair of the National Police Ethics Committee. Namechecked Robert Peel, King David and Moses as progenitors of a system of law enforcement that is not about doing the bidding of the king, president or executive.

Today in @houseoflords.parliament.uk we voted to strengthen the law to protect victims of Deepfake porn. I hope and pray the government will not seek to overturn majorities of well over 150 when the matter returns to the Commons.

Parliamentlive.tv - Commons

Today's debate in Westminster Hall on benefits of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme can be watched at link below starts 9.30am. @churchstate.bsky.social @churchofengland.org #cofepeeps parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...