General Synod Election Candidates 2026

ANN PANGBOURNE

Deanery: Ottery

Parish: St Michael the Archangel, West Hill

Proposer: Heather Salter

Diocesan Synod Rep for Ottery Deanery

Seconder: Christine Smith

PCC & Deanery Synod Rep, St Michael’s

email: [email protected]

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Dear Elector
I am writing to ask if you would vote for me as your first choice in the coming
elections for the next quinquennium of General Synod.
Why I would like you to vote for me
Having been brought up by Christian parents, I was baptised and confirmed into the Church of England.
At the Lee Abbey Youth Camp, age 16, I made a firm and adult commitment to follow Jesus and have never
looked back. From that age on, my priority in life has always been to share my faith, to introduce others to
Jesus, and to the work of the Holy Spirit, in the lives of those who follow Him.
As a wife, mother and grandmother, in parish ministry alongside my husband, John, for over 37 years, in
youth and children’s work, PCC Secretary (on a number of occasions), former Churchwarden, and currently
a member of Diocesan Synod, my guiding principal is to be open to what God is saying, by His Spirit,
through Scripture and prayerful walking with Him, throughout each day.
This is what I would bring to General Synod
My background
In 1965, age 16, I was the youngest member of the 17+ Youth Group at St Giles’ and St George’s, Ashtead,
where I grew up. I was part of the committee, who arranged twice weekly meetings, to both explore our faith
and enjoy social activities together. This group, overseen by adults, was a major part of my growing in faith
and learning to work with others in a group.
I trained as a nurse (SRN and RSCN) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, and on the day of
qualifying was appointed as a junior sister in the newly acquired country branch at Banstead in Surrey.
Eight months on, I became a night sister at the main hospital in London: part of a team of 3 to cover the
major part of the hospital at night.
A few years later, I was invited, and clearly guided by the Lord, to accept a post as Matron at Monkton
Combe Junior School, and just over three years after that to join the Lee Abbey Community, in N Devon, as
House Team Leader. In 1978, through extraordinary guidance from the Holy Spirit, these two organisations
played a part in my meeting and marrying my husband, John, who had been widowed at an early age and
had three pre-teenage children.
For 7 years prior to my marriage, I was part of the 40 strong Lee Abbey Youth Camp Team each August. I
had responsibility for a tent of 6-7 girls; the whole team met daily for an hour and a half, to pray and listen to
the Lord. I was also part of a small group, cooking on an open fire for 140 people. After our marriage, John, I
and our children returned as one of three Camp Team Families for another 5 summers. Here and elsewhere I
saw the Holy Spirit at work in many miraculous ways.
In 1982 we left our home, in faith, with 5 children and no home to go to, when John began training for
ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Once again, the Lord provided for us amazingly.
In the 19 years that followed, whilst working closely with John at my home church of St Giles and St George,
Ashtead, and then Christ Church Ore, Hastings, I was also caring for our increasing family of 6 children, and
developing a lay ministry of my own, which took various forms. This continued into another 18 years of
John’s full time retirement ministry at St Michael’s, West Hill during which time we were blessed with 10
grandchildren. Since John’s sudden death, in 2021, I have continued to serve the Church, both here in West
Hill, and through Diocesan Synod.

My gifts
Administrative and Leadership skills: In my career as a nurse, a school matron, as Leader of the House
Team at Lee Abbey and in various roles within the parishes, I have learned and continue to grow these skills.
In Ashtead,
• I set up and organised an ecumenical “Christian Viewpoint” group for women, which aimed to draw in
those who were not yet Christians. This group continued for many years after we moved on.
In Ore,
• John and I ran Alpha courses from 1995-2004 for which I did the administration, catering, and cooking as
well as leading a small group.
• We were appointed by Holy Trinity, Brompton as Alpha Advisors for East Sussex and, as part of this, I
led an Alpha Weekend for a group of churches on my own.
• We also organised a large Alpha Supper (300+), with the support of Kings’ Church in Hastings before we
left in 2003.
• With two Dad’s from the Church, I ran and did much of the planning for a Youth Group for ages 13-18. I
also helped to birth a “Treasure Seekers” Summer holiday week for primary school children, which
initially ran from 9:30am-6:00pm daily. It continues to this day - led by one of the children who first
attended, with her husband.
At St Michael’s, in West Hill
• I designed, edited and produced the Church/Village magazine for 15 years, which has not only been
delivered free to every house in the village from then until now, but also generates income for the Church,
through advertising local businesses.
• I wrote inter-active material for, and helped lead, class visits from the local school, in line with the National
Curriculum, using the opportunity to teach the children about Christian faith.
• I am also a longstanding member of a small team of lay people who are authorised to plan, lead and speak
at regular lay-led services.
In addition, I planned the spiritual programme and managed the administration for seven 12-day
Pilgrimages which John and I co-led, over a period of ten years. These were mostly small international
groups with some people over 80yrs old and all included crossing from Israel to Jordan and back. I also
planned and led, solo, four Pilgrimages in Israel and in the Biblical heartland of Judeo-Samaria, on routes
rarely covered by regular tours. The last being in 2022.
Finance: For most of our married life, I have managed our household budget. So, on a small scale, I
understand the concept of “cutting your coat according to your cloth”, but also of trust in our God, who “owns
the cattle on a thousand hills”, when needing to step out in faith.
Writing: Whilst at Christ Church, Ore, I produced several series of Home Group notes for the Church, one
of which I adapted for publication by CPAS in their “Project” series. Over the years I have written regular
articles for the magazine (mentioned above), on various aspects of our faith.
Bible Study/Prayer/Teaching: In every place I have lived, over the years, I have led Bible Study Groups/
Home Groups often writing the material. In retirement, John and I were Pastoral Helpers at Lee Abbey
for 15 years, praying for people with a variety of needs.
In 2005, I began to study Biblical Hebrew, with a local Messianic Rabbi. After 10 years I developed my own
course in order to teach two friends; which I continue to do. This increases my knowledge of Scripture and
keeps my brain sharp!
My Desire:
• is to work for the Church of England - with its many historic connections - to continue to proclaim the
Gospel to the nation, especially in these difficult times.
• to uphold the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman.
• to work, as best I can, to encourage the flourishing of stipendiary ministry and to increase the provision of
support needed - to clergy, laity and bishops - to make the the Parish system work.
• to encourage the Church to follow the Biblical injunction to honour the Jewish people as the root of our
faith, and to acknowledge that we are grafted in to that root. Romans 11:1-2a; 17-18
• Most of all, I desire to see people being brought to new life in Jesus.
If you feel I might be able to use the gifts and experience the Lord has given me, to help achieve His
purposes at General Synod, even in a small way, please consider voting for me as your first choice in
this election.
Luke 13:18-19 (NKJV) Then Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?“It
is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the
birds of the air nested in its branches.”
A mustard seed is said to flourish widely after the latter rains, to reach 8-12 foot in height.
These shrub-like trees are a common sight in the open fields of the Galilee.
Under God, may we, with the whole Church in England, be sowing such seed.

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