General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Tim Packer
House of Laity, Diocese of Durham
Proposed: Angus Goudie (General Synod)
Seconded: David Gregory-Smith (New Brancepeth)
Contact me: [email protected]
In the Church
•
Active member of St Nics
Church, Durham since
1998
•
Musician, worship leader,
technical lead, and lead
producer for online
services in lockdown
•
Durham Diocesan Synod
and Durham Deanery
Synod Standing
Committee
•
Leader on Scripture
Union Transformers and
Livewires technology
holidays for teenagers
•
Previously served in
churches of a wide range
of sizes, settings and
churchmanships,
including as a chorister
and altar server
Outside the Church
•
Consultant delivery
manager in the
Department of Work and
Pensions, helping to
deliver Personal
Independent Payments
•
Member and trustee of
Bearpark and Esh Colliery
Band
•
Founder and organiser of
Pride Brass North East
•
Carer for my disabled
partner
Dear Deanery Synod member,
I am standing to represent the Diocese of Durham as a lay
representative on General Synod.
I grew up in a Christian family, but came to a personal faith through
youth ministry. I remain committed to the church’s outreach to young
people, who are our future, and have served for over 25 years on
Christian holiday camps for teenagers.
I came to County Durham from Merseyside as a student, and my
partner and I have made it our home for almost 30 years. For most of
this time I have been a member of St Nics Church, Durham, serving as a
worship leader, musician and tech lead as well as on the PCC. I also
formed and led the team that produced and broadcast online services
every week for the church during COVID lockdown.
I have a strong belief in the culture, history and huge potential of our
amazing region, and am involved in the local community in numerous
ways, including as a member and trustee of a local colliery brass band
and a performer in local events including Durham’s Fringe Festival,
Miners’ Gala and World Heritage Day. I also founded and run Pride
Brass North East, which provides brass bands for local LGBTQ+ Pride
parades.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse communities and carer
for my disabled partner, I am aware of how the church can be a crucial
support for members of marginalised communities, but also a very
difficult place to exist. I am committed to making our church one in
which people from all backgrounds can feel not only welcomed but fully
included.
Outside of the church, my career has been largely as a public servant. I
currently work on delivery of the PIP benefit, which is a vital lifeline to
thousands of disabled people. Previously, I led the software
development team at the University of Durham, and worked at St John’s
College on Christian Apologetics projects, focusing on Faith and Science
and youth outreach.
I believe I can bring a valuable perspective to General Synod, as
someone involved in youth ministry, in art and heritage, in marginalised
communities and as a carer, as well as someone with experience of
managing large and complex projects. I have been encouraged by the
support of previous members of General Synod who have suggested I
can bring a strong voice to represent the Diocese of Durham. I am
committed to understanding the needs of all churches across the
diocese and representing your views in Synod.
I hope you will consider voting for me, and I look
forward to working alongside you.

My Priorities
An Inclusive Church
“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."

• the Inclusive Synod statement

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am very
aware of the hurt that LGBTQ+ people and other
minorities have often experienced in the church,
and support moves towards greater inclusion,
including increased support for committed same-
sex relationships. I am also personally aware of
the specific needs of disabled and neurodiverse
church attendees, as well as the influence of class
and economic power,
We must make our church one that includes all,
but especially those in greatest need.
A Church for All Generations
Young people are the future of the church, and its
survival depends on welcoming and including new
generations, listening to them and encouraging
them to shape what the church will become. At
the same time, we are blessed by the wisdom and
experience of older generations, and many of our
churches rely on the truly heroic work of older
people.
We are one family, and for our churches to
flourish we must include and respect all
generations.
A Church with Heritage
The Church of England is the custodian of a large
part of Britain’s greatest built heritage, as well as a
stunning history of art and music. This can be a
difficult burden, but also a precious resource.
We must think creatively about how to use these
assets and cultural connections to strengthen the
church’s place in society, fund our mission, and
spread the word of God.
A Church for Every Place
The Church of England has a unique role in our
nation through its parish system that places it in
every community. Cathedrals and larger churches
do vital work speaking God’s word on a large
scale, but parishes remain the heart of our
church.
We must give each of our churches the resources,
support, and freedom, to be God’s hands and
voice in their local community.
A Church for the Unchurched
“The church is the only society that exists for the
benefit of those who are not its members”

• Archbishop William Temple

Our church has long been used to being the
cultural default, but we need to recognise that
many people, especially in younger generations,
now have little knowledge or experience of the
Church of England or Christianity as a whole.
We must think about how to be a church whose
doors remain open, that serves the community
outside its walls, and that is approachable for
those who come with a need for God, but with few
expectations about what that might look like.

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