General Synod Election Candidates 2026

I will bring to General Synod a passion for:
Climate Change - I’m the Deanery Environmental Representative
for my Deanery Synod and played a key role in helping our church
secure the Silver Eco Church Award. My PhD arose from my passion
for the health of the planet God gave us. Earlier this year, I
completed Worcester Cathedral’s Sophia Course, which provided
me with a solid foundation in Christian Eco-Spirituality and
Discipleship.
Standing for the
House of Laity of General Synod 2026
KATIE HARTLESS ROSE
Proposed by:
Anthony Rich (Kenilworth)

Seconded by:
Lesley Turner (Fosse)
Please contact me to discuss any of my
statements further ([email protected]).
Please don’t forget to vote.
I first came across the General Synod on 11th November 1992, when I
was 10 and my parents were in the kitchen, crying with joy after
hearing that women could be ordained priests. My mother was finally
going to be the third generation of priests in my family.

I’ve been a Christian since I was five, and have mostly worshipped in
Church of England churches, with visits to my uncle’s Methodist church
when visiting my cousins. However, in my twenties, I also attended
local ecumenical partnerships and fresh expression churches, both
urban and rural.

After earning my undergraduate degree in Architecture, I went on to
gain an MA in Humanitarian and Development Practice and a PhD in
Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. My career has included
working in an Architect’s Office, at Oxfam and People & Planet in the
charity sector, and at Coventry University in student services.

I am currently the administrator for 11 rural parishes in South
Warwickshire, and I am on the Coventry Diocesan Synod
In General Synod, I want to speak to environmental issues such as
rewilding, encouraging parochial ethical savings and investments,
and the Church’s path to Net Zero by 2030 at General Synod, which
falls during this next quinquennium. I am passionate about
encouraging and supporting dioceses to help churches and church
buildings become net zero and sustainable with a dangerously
warming planet.

My work, life, and Christian faith are guided by the passage in
Micah 6:8
“…what does the LORD require of you? To do justice and to love
mercy and to walk humbly with your God?”
I will bring to General Synod a passion for:
Digital Communications and the Church - In my role as an
administrator, I use digital communications including producing
weekly newsletters, a website, and Christmas advertising. I have
also created promotional videos, flyers, and adverts for our Kids
church groups, such as Lego Church. We use Church Organiser,
Canva, and ACNY in managing our comms, and the Church’s
Digital Labs have helped with this. I’m excited about contributing
to the way that the Church’s digital communication can
effectively reach diverse audiences and I am interested in
exploring how parishes might engage with AI as it becomes
increasingly prevalent.
A Church for All - I am committed to equality for every person at
all levels and in all roles within the church, laity, and clergy alike. I
believe Jesus welcomes everyone and the church should reflect
that by celebrating and supporting God’s presence in anyone,
regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status,
mental health, sexuality or neurodiversity.
Children, Youth, and Education - I’m involved with the children’s
and family’s team at my local church and helped establish our
popular toddler and preschool group. I am involved leading our
thriving Lego Church, and I am part of a team starting a youth
community choir in our church. As a parent of a six-year-old, I
am keen that Church of England Primary Schools supports the
Christian faith of their students.
Standing for the
House of Laity of General Synod 2026
KATIE HARTLESS ROSE
Thank you for reading this. If any of it connects with
you, please consider voting for me.
Voting is by single transferable vote, so if you wish to
vote for me, please place me as your first or highest
preference.

agriculture,ai,climate change,dioceses,discipleship,eco church,ecumenical,environmental,equality,fresh expression,justice,mental health,methodist,net zero,neurodiversity,sexuality,youth