General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Sarah Moss
Vicar of the Theydon Parishes, 4 distinct churches in Epping Forest.
Member of the Vacancy in See Committee.
Born and raised in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Passionate about building a safer, more inclusive Church and sustaining
flourishing parish ministry across the breadth and diversity of the CofE.
Clergy Candidate for General Synod 2026
Please get in touch if you have any questions:
[email protected]
Voting closes Monday 12 October (paper) and Tuesday 13 October (portal).
I would be grateful for your first preference vote!
My experience:
Bringing people together: 20+ years in local government and community
partnership-building have taught me to listen across differences, navigate
competing perspectives and turn shared concerns into practical action.
Breadth of ministry: 20+ years of experience in lay + ordained pioneering and
parish ministry, youth engagement, safeguarding, community organising,
church planting, estates ministry and hospital chaplaincy. I want to bring a
grounded parish perspective to national policy, legislation and decision-
making.
Understanding our diversity: Lay + ordained ministry experience across
evangelical, charismatic, choral, and Anglo-Catholic traditions, giving me a
deep appreciation of the breadth of the Church of England.
Our diversity is a strength when we listen well, differ graciously, and remain
united in our shared calling to proclaim the Gospel.
Nominated by:
Reverend Doctor Brenda Wallace
Former General Synod Member, Facilitator for Spiritual Companionship, and Associate Priest
in the Hullbridge, Rawreth and Rettendon Benefice.
Reverend Tayrina Ferguson
Diocesan Vocations Outreach Officer, Clergy Member of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod
(Braintree Deanery), and Assistant Curate at Coggeshall and United Parishes.

My Priorities:
A Church that is safe, accountable, and trusted by victims/survivors.
As a parish priest who has experienced church abuse, I want every church to be a
place where people are safe, valued and able to flourish. Safeguarding is a Gospel
imperative that shapes our culture and witness. We must learn from our failures
by listening to victims and survivors, using power well, and creating healthy
church cultures where abuse cannot take root.
I will support Synod measures for greater transparency, accountability +
independent scrutiny, helping to build safer parishes.
An inclusive Church where everyone can flourish.
Living with a hidden disability has deepened my understanding of the barriers
many people face in church life and ministry. I want every person to know they
are welcomed, valued and able to flourish in the life of the Church. I believe the
breadth of traditions within the Church of England is a gift, and that we are
stronger when we learn to live generously across our differences.
I will champion greater accessibility and inclusion for all people, regardless of
disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability,
mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality, so that everyone can participate fully
in the life and mission of the Church.
Saving and sustaining parish ministry, while nurturing ministers' wellbeing.
Every community needs a visible, thriving local parish church and I am living the
reality of trying to sustain this.
The parish system is one of the Church of England's greatest strength and
deserves sustained investment. I understand the opportunities and pressures
facing clergy and lay leaders, from the richness of mission and ministry in local
parishes to increasing workloads and expectations that can impact wellbeing and
long-term resilience.
I will advocate for investment in local parishes, healthier patterns of ministry,
and a culture that values the wellbeing of those called to lead.
If elected, I would listen carefully, ask difficult questions constructively,
seek common ground where possible, and represent Chelmsford's
clergy with integrity.
I will help foster a Church that is Safe. Inclusive. Local. Sustainable.

abuse,accountability,anglo-catholic,benefice,catholic,chaplaincy,charismatic,church planting,disability,evangelical,gender identity,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,outreach,safeguarding,sexuality,survivors,transparency,vacancy,victims,vocations,witness,youth