General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address 2026
The Revd Julia A Hook
Team Vicar/House for Duty, Incumbent of the Oak
Hill Parishes
[email protected]

Proposed by: Revd Captain David Penny CA
Area Dean – Tewkesbury & Winchcombe Deanery

Seconded – Revd Ilse Ferwerda, Incumbent
Severnside Benefice T & W Deanery
It would be an honour and a privilege to serve on General Synod, at what is clearly a significant and
challenging time for the Church of England (CofE). Despite the pressures, I believe the CofE still has a
precious and unique place in our society, with all sorts of missional opportunities. The commands to love
both God and neighbour are non-negotiable, and those efforts start close to home for each of us – with our
families, those we live next door to, or work alongside – seeking to share the good news of the gospel of
Jesus with them, supported by our own church community. I believe in the Church of England and feel called
to be a part of its structures and governance. I want to see the Church of England and all within it, flourish
and grow.
About Me
I’m married to Geoff, have 4 grown up stepchildren, 2 siblings and many nieces and nephews of all ages, some
of whom I love to run with.

I attended church regularly in the early years up until the age of 17; during my 20's and early 30's, I believe I was
lost in the wilderness of life! I attended church occasionally, taking my parents with me most of the time.
When asked to be Godparent to one of my sister's children, whose service was being held at All Saints Church,
Pittville, and Anglo-Catholic Church, I attended church regularly and was confirmed. Being part of the All-Saints
Church family for 18 years, which was and still is ‘A Resolution A & B Church’, when women were first Ordained
as priests in the Church of England, the first words I said to my friends were – ‘I am never ever receiving HC from
a woman priest!’ Our Lord thought differently!
I served my Curacy within the Winchcombe Team and post curacy I remained within the Winchcombe Team. I
have now ministered in the Gloucester Diocese since 2010. Licensed as a Team Vicar, in my current post as
House for Duty, I am the incumbent of the Oak Hill Parishes, responsible for Worship, mission and outreach in
Alderton, Dumbleton, Gt Washbourne and Wormington. I support and promote the gifts of lay people and those
who lead our Family Worship and Café Church Services. I serve, with enthusiasm, also as a School Governor
and on Diocesan and Deanery Synod and more recently on the DM Team.
Children are the future of our church, and I take seriously Jesus’ call to bring the little children to him. It’s so
important that we engage and inspire the next generation, equipping them to take on leadership roles within the
church when they grow up. I am passionate about developing ministry with them that nurtures their spiritual
growth and provide opportunities for them to serve their church family.

As a priest, I now sit comfortably across church tradition; I have worshiped and ministered in a variety of
churches, and I feel drawn into Christ whether it be kneeling at Benediction in Anglo Catholic worship or singing
repetitive songs in Evangelical worship. It’s interesting when I visit family in Poland, on the occasions I have
worn my ‘dog collar’, Polish university students have pointed to it and have asked ‘what’s this all about?’ – after
explaining, comments were made that this should happen in the Catholic Church.
There are always big themes, big questions facing the church, not least Living in Love and Faith; each Synod and
each quinquennium has its issues that we can anticipate and those we cannot.
Accepting that difference and diversity are a part of life means being aware that the topics of race, wealth and
poverty, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health and well-being are things that affect us all because we are a
community. They are not issues that can be picked up and put down, they are intrinsic to our life together, being
a Samaritan, I have found this to be the case.
Paramount though, is our commission to mission as exemplified in the Five Marks of Mission, where we show
Christ’s love to others in service, in combatting injustice, in caring for our world and in the proclamation of his
good news and the nurture of those who have come to faith. We now more than ever need to listen to each
other, to hear each other’s stories our hurts and our joys.
I have an ability to sit with tension, and to find ways ahead which include and honour the different viewpoints,
ideas and questions and to work with others to find that place where we hold this tension together, by God’s
grace, genuinely including all.
Why do I feel called to stand for General Synod – firstly, I love the Church of England, secondly, I prayerfully
bring the experience of being a parish priest and all that this entails. I’m willing to contribute thoughtfully to
discussions, contributing to debates on social, policy, and public issues and enthusiastic in playing a part in
helping the Church live Christ’s story today, in and for the world
As we look to the next sessions of General Synod, I would like the opportunity to bring my commitment,
experience and passion for the growth of the Church and the mission of Jesus. I believe I have a calling beyond
the parish in which I serve yet with the practical experiences of it to guide and stimulate my approach to other
groups, scenarios, meetings and debates.
I am aware Items included on the General Synod agenda are all important in their own way, and some are
particularly complex and contentious.
These are challenging times for the Church of England. There are big questions for us around inclusion, finance,
clergy numbers, safeguarding, lay ministers and around what we believe and practice as a Church. We’re once
again discerning what it means to be The Church of England, often in the light of radically different convictions.
These are complicated and often painful discussion, but they are essential if we are to ensure the future life and
witness of the Church of England. Each of these requires a prayerful, biblical, and carefully considered
response if the Church of England is to bear faithful witness to the living Lord Jesus in a messy and hurting
world. I pray that Synod can work to enable a depth of flourishing for all believers.
I acknowledge my dependence on God: standing for this election is first and foremost an act of obedience to His
stirring. I am committed to listening to God and to pray for our church, whilst also listening to you and praying
with you. Being a good listener, I am happy to consult and draw on the expertise among diocesan clergy
colleagues.
My prayer is that I will be a vibrant and faithful witness to the living God, honouring Him in submission and
obedience to His word, relevant and accessible to all, that we might be worthy of the title ‘Bride of Christ’. I
would certainly give of my best to that end if elected.

Thank you for your consideration of my application. I would obviously be extremely grateful for your vote,
and it would be an honour to be elected. I hope you have found the information I’ve provided helpful, but if
you do have any related comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me using the details
provided above.

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