General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Reverend Liz England
I am standing for election to the General Synod to work towards a church
that is supportive for everyone, safe and inclusive. My focus is on four key
areas: safeguarding; clergy well-being; inclusion and mission within rural
churches. These areas I believe are vital for a healthy, growing church.
I am standing because I care deeply about the mission and future
direction of the Church of England. As a committed member of our
Deanery Synod, I want to help ensure that the national voice of our church
remains grounded in local realities, faithful to the life and words of Jesus
and missional in service particularly to our rural communities.
Experience and Background
Christian Life and Church: I became a Christian at the age of seven, served as a youth representative for my
PCC, my grandpa was a priest, my mum was one of the first women priests, and I have been ordained for 11
years. I was the Team Rector in Buxton for 5 years and the Assistant Area Dean, before moving to a part-time
post in the Peak District after a cancer diagnosis. This experience has given me a practical understanding of
both the joys and the missional challenges facing our parishes today, particularly in rural areas. I am the
author and illustrator of the Teddy and Dolly series and Teddy and Dolly Church which is a new initiative to
share Ignatian Spirituality with children and adults and works particularly well in small churches where the
pews don’t move. Other roles in the diocese include Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel member, Mental
Health Forum member and Vocations Officer
Skills and Perspective: Professionally I am a trained Chartered Manager; I ran my own limited company
before ordination, creating databases to enhance Children’s Centres work with Ofsted. I was also a manager
for Children’s Centres in Birmingham; therefore, it is important to me that we ensure all children and adults
can safely attend our churches, thrive and become leaders. Currently, I run a charity called PrayGo which
encourages the use of AR (augmented reality) in prayer apps. I love to play netball, dance and read detective
stories.

1. Safeguarding: Creating Safe Spaces

Safeguarding is a vital part of our Christian duty. We must make our churches safe places for children, young
people, and vulnerable adults. The experience I have running Children Centre’s in Birmingham and working
with autistic adults means I know the importance of a robust safeguarding structure. This will ensure
everyone within the church can thrive and share their gifts. I will aim to:
o Listen closely to victims and survivors and champion robust structures and reliable oversight
of safeguarding.
o Ensure safeguarding training is practical, clear, and easy to complete at the parish level.
o Work to build a transparent culture where everyone feels safe to speak up.

14 of 29

1. Clergy Well-Being: Supporting Our Leaders

Clergy face high levels of stress, burnout, and isolation with increased hours, churches and populations.
Healthy leaders are essential for healthy churches. I have been through cancer treatment, so understand
some of the exhaustion and pressures being called to ministry brings. I will aim to:
o Champion all positive steps to support ministers and endorse the Covenant for Care and Well-Being
for Clergy for the wider church to care for ministers and their families.
o Secure better pastoral support, realistic workloads, and mental health resources for clergy.
o Push for clear structures that protect our leaders' work-life balance.

1. Inclusion: A Church for All

The Church must reflect the diverse world it serves. We need to remove barriers that keep people from fully
participating in church life. As a woman I have faced prejudice throughout pre-ordination, training and as an
incumbent so understand a little of the prejudice others experience. I have also worked professionally with
adults and children with additional needs in the West Midlands so know the necessity for accessible
churches and services. I will aim to:
o Support policies that welcome people of all backgrounds, abilities, ages, ethnicities, and identities
fostering a culture of respectful listening, grace, holy curiosity and unity across diverse church
traditions and theological perspectives.
o Ensure every person feels valued and belongs in our church communities so they can thrive and
share their gifts.
o Encourage diverse leadership that represents the whole church.

1. Rural Church Mission, a place to thrive

The rural church is often forgotten, but there is much we can learn from the traditions, farming routines and
quirks that make up our beautiful countryside. Within our benefice we have a Teddy and Dolly Church that
attracts 35 children and adults, a third of the village population. I will aim to:
o Advocate for rural churches to be heard and seen, championing farming communities and mission
to our isolated and dispersed countryside communities.
o Ensure every person in each parish is seen as important and cherished, that we go out to the
community rather than expecting people to come to the church. Church in a field can work!
o Encourage rural communities and churches to thrive and grow.

I am nominated by Reverend Simon Gowler (Rural Dean of Macclesfield)
and Reverend Lynn Caudwell (Vicar of Pott Shrigley Church, Macclesfield)
I would be honoured to represent our diocese at national level, bringing a faithful, wise and compassionate
voice to the work of General Synod, focusing on well-being, safety and inclusion - we can build a stronger,
healthier church for the future.
I am a part-time vicar looking after three rural churches in the Peak Parishes Benefice, Chester Diocese.
You can contact me with any questions at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you.

15 of 29

benefice,burnout,countryside,farming,inclusive,isolation,mental health,mission,missional,ordination,pcc,prayer,rural communities,safe spaces,safeguarding,stress,survivors,victims,vocations,women priests,young people,youth