General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Nominated by: Valerie Hallard, General Synod Member 2021 – 2026
and Church Warden at St John’s Workington.
Seconded by: Julia Sharpe, Deanery Synod and PCC St Michael’s
Workington.
Rachel Rose
“Listen. Include. Belong. Renew”
House of Laity, Diocese of Carlisle

I’m Rachel, I’ve very recently turned the big 4-0, and I’ve been a Licensed Lay Minister since 2023, serving in the
Benefice of Workington. I’ve lived in Cumbria all my life – and somehow survived the Cumbrian weather too
(apart from three years away at university!).
❖ At the heart of my faith is a Jesus who crosses boundaries, who still walks on stormy seas, who seeks
out those on the margins, sits alongside people others may overlook, and reminds them that they
matter. That is the Church I want to be part of: a Church where people know they are welcomed, valued
and loved, and where nobody is left wondering whether they truly belong.
❖ My faith has been shaped by the people I have met, the stories they have trusted me with, and the
privilege of walking alongside people through both the joyful and sorrowful moments of life. What
motivates me most is seeing someone discover that they are loved by God, watching communities
come together, and witnessing those small acts of kindness, courage and faith that can transform lives.
I believe the Church is at its best when it is rooted in people and their everyday lives.

❖ Alongside my lay ministry, I work full time and bring 12 years’ experience in Change and Continuous
Improvement. My professional life has taught me that meaningful change rarely happens because
someone simply has a good idea. It happens when we listen carefully to the people closest to an
issue, understand what is really happening, challenge our assumptions, learn from what has and hasn’t
worked, and bring people together to find practical solutions.
❖ I believe those skills have something important to offer the Church. As the Church continues to
respond to challenges around growth, resource, parish ministry, and the changing needs of our
communities, we need to be willing to ask honest questions about what is working, learn from what
isn't, share good practice and turn good ideas into practical action. I would bring a calm, constructive,
collaborative and solutions-focused voice to Synod— but above all, a willingness to listen.
With a deep love for people, communities and the Church, alongside a background in leading complex change
and large projects, I believe I can bring a valuable perspective to General Synod. And whenever a decision is
placed before us, I will keep asking one simple question:
“What difference will this make to the people and communities we are called to serve?”
Because I believe the Church is not called simply to survive change. We are called, with courage and hope, to
help shape a Church where everyone can encounter the love of Jesus and know that they belong.
Who Am I?
"I am delighted to nominate Rachel for General Synod. With her strong faith, bright incisive mind and
pastoral heart, I'm confident that she will be a valued representative of our Diocese in the House of Laity."
(Valerie Hallard)

Inclusive Church
Through the next quinquennium, questions of sexuality will continue through the
relationships working group. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am acutely
aware of the hurt that LGBTQ+ people and other minorities have experienced in the
church, and support moves for towards greater inclusion for all.
I long for a Church where the person who has never felt comfortable in church, the
teenager questioning where they fit, the older person living with loneliness, the person
struggling financially, the person with a disability and the person who believes they
have been excluded from God’s table can all hear the same message: You are
welcome. You are valued. You belong. Therefore, I fully sign up for the inclusive
church statement. “I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles
within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender
identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.”
Faith in Action – A Church for All Generations
A Church where every generation has a place, a voice and a sense of belonging. Young people
are the future of the Church and need to be an essential part of Church today, listening to their
hopes, questions and ideas. Equally, we must value the wisdom and experience of older
generations ensuring no one is overlooked. We are all one body, and the Church should be a
place where every generation is welcomed and needed.
Thank You
Thank you for reading my electoral statement and I hope you will trust me with your vote.
If you’d like to contact me for more information, I’d be happy to hear from you via email at
[email protected]
Listen. Include. Belong. Renew
I wish to bring the experience, voice and hope of Cumbria to General Synod. Our
churches know what it is to minister across rural and coastal communities where
distance, transport, aging populations, poverty, isolation and limited resources create
very real challenges. But Cumbria knows resilience. Our Parish Churches are often
more than places of worship. They are places where communities gather, where people
are known by name, where help is offered and where faith has been lived for generations.
I believe our churches should be trusted, resourced and empowered to respond
creatively to the needs of our communities to drive a sustainable future. I will
champion investment in parish ministry, church growth and revitalisation, particularly in
rural and coastal communities. We should not simply expect our churches to do survive
with fewer people and fewer resources; we should invest in their potential to flourish.
With a hope firmly rooted in Jesus, we need to courage to go where people are,
supporting existing churches flourish while being brave enough to experiment with new
forms of church, patterns of ministry and new ways of reaching people.
A Voice from Cumbria – a Better Deal Locally

aging,benefice,church growth,disability,equality,gender identity,inclusive,inclusive church,isolation,lgbtq,loneliness,mental health,neurodiversity,pcc,poverty,revitalisation,sexuality,young people