General Synod Election Candidates 2026

I am pleased to be standing for re-election as a candidate for General Synod having served for the last five
years and found the experience to be highly engaging. I feel called to serve God and the Church in this way.
Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction and please do contact me directly if you would like
to discuss any matters further ([email protected] / 07484 967570).

My Commitment to General Synod

Over the last five years, I have enjoyed the challenge of Synod – with its range of topics, engagement and
participants. I have spoken on a wide variety of subjects – including churches engaging with rural poverty,
parochial fees, funding for local and parish ministry, support for clergy in retirement and the Prayers of
Love and Faith. I have supported a number of fringe events especially those held by the Anti-Racism
network, Together for the Church of England and Women and the Church.

As an Archdeacon, there are many areas of overlap with my day-to-day work and the work of Synod -
especially in its legislative and legal roles. I have been particularly keen to see work taken through that
helps with simplification of current structures, that seeks to create a code of conduct for PCCs and
volunteers, that has moved towards stronger safeguarding structures and that sees progress on the new
Mission and Pastoral and Clergy Conduct Measures. I have been pleased to be a part of the votes this
Synod, that have enabled improvements in the clergy stipend and retirement provision.

In my current role, I seek to support and encourage local ministry in parish, fresh expression, school,
chaplaincy, BMO and wherever the good news of God’s love is being shared. Alongside this as Chair of
Sportily and our Diocesan Board of Education I am deeply commitment to engagement with children,
young people and families, both within our church networks and beyond.

I seek to represent the diversity of our Diocesan life in the debates, discussions and votes at General
Synod.

My Background

I was ordained in Coventry in 2000, and served my Curacy in the inner-city, multi-cultural team ministry in
Hillfields. In 2004, I became Vicar of Willenhall on a 1950s estate on the edge of Coventry, a place with a
great community spirit despite many socio-economic challenges. During this time, I was also a member of
the Bishop's Core Staff Team as Dean of Women's Ministry for the Coventry Diocese.

In January 2015, I moved to become Area Dean of the North Cotswold Deanery and Rector of the Benefice
of the Guitings, Cutsdean, Farmcote, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter with Eyford and Naunton. I
have been a member of Bishop’s Council in both Coventry (2006-2014) and Gloucester (2015-now)
Dioceses, and enjoy being a part of and contributing to our wider Diocesan life together.

The Venerable Katrina Scott
General Synod Election Address

Archdeacon of Cheltenham

I am a wife to Nick (a prison chaplain), and Mum to Ruth (18) and Freddie (16). To relax, I love to read,
walk, run and support Glasgow Rangers Football Team!

My Passions in Ministry

• My vocation is rooted in the call to share God's love with all in our communities, very much based
on the words of Jesus in John 15: "Love one another as I have loved you."
• I am passionate about parish and local ministry as a way of serving and connecting with all in our
communities, enabling faith to be built, discipleship developed and lives to be transformed.
• Our schools ministry, in both community and church schools, is to be celebrated as a way of
building relationship, making a difference and growing disciples.
• I want our church communities to be diverse, inclusive and thriving.
• I grew up attending ecumenical churches in Milton Keynes, and I love to see Christians and
churches working together, displaying the unity that we have in God.
• I am delighted when we see a commitment towards working together and supporting one
another, across differences. I am excited where I see a desire in the church to both respect the
traditional models whilst also exploring how we can do new things.
• I have a strong desire for our Christian faith to lead to action towards social justice, good pastoral
care and equality. I have been actively involved with Community Forums, Foodbanks, Debt Advice
agencies and refugee support.

Looking Forward in General Synod

In all contexts, I seek to prepare well, listen lovingly, discern God’s guidance and contribute thoughtfully to
conversations and debates. I stand again for General Synod with a commitment, if elected, to engage fully
with the processes of discussion, hearing, reflecting and sharing. Some thoughts around particular topics:

• I long to see a church in which all types of ministry are celebrated and able to flourish. I feel my
experiences at Deanery and Diocesan level, and having served in rural, inner-city and estate settings
will enable me to contribute from an array of angles. As we shape ministry for the coming years, we
need a church which is flexible, supportive and reaching out.
• I want to see greater inclusion and participation in our church life, regardless of ethnicity,
disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexuality, mental health, neurodiversity, marital status,
socio-economic background or economic power. How we live these conversations is key - following
Jesus’ example, listening, reconciliation and love will be important.
• Our Christian commitment to the Environment must also be a key ongoing theme in coming years. I
hope that we can be brave, aspirational and a leading voice as we address the challenges.
• Clergy-wellbeing (alongside the simplification of church structures) is essential as we discuss the
shape of the Church for the future. I would seek to keep this at the heart of our discussions.

Katrina Scott

Proposed: Revd Susan Cooke, Vicar of the Benefice of Badgeworth, Shurdington and Witcombe with
Bentham and Area Dean of Severn Vale

Seconded: Revd James White, Vicar of St Michael’s, Cheltenham and Area Dean of Cheltenham

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