Sue Rowlands

I moved to Worcester with my husband in 2019 from Bristol where I’d been a member of St Matthews, Kingsdown for more than 30 years.

I’ve spent my working life in the field of speech and language therapy, as a clinician, a researcher and an academic and served as Chair of the national professional body. In my previous church, my husband and I hosted a home group for about 15 years.

Our ‘escape to the country’ coincided with the rumblings of the pandemic but fortunately we had already started attending Christchurch, Lower Broadheath and been warmly welcomed into this lovely community. At my first attendance at the PCC AGM, I became one of the Deanery Synod reps. This was my first time on a Deanery Synod, so I had lots to learn – a bit tricky at first as my first few meetings were all on Zoom.

At the end of my first term of office, Diane asked me to consider being nominated as Lay Chair. After various discussions, including with Kalantha, Priest in Charge at Christchurch, I decided to put myself forward. I see my role as being a lay support to Diane and representing the laity in the deanery leadership team alongside Rob and Paul. I still have lots to learn but I am looking forward to getting to know the deanery, understanding our aspirations and challenges. I want to find ways to support and be a voice for the laity.