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GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION ADDRESS 2026
House of Laity
Helen Eskriett
[email protected]

Proposer: Tammy Gore (Deanery Lay Chair of Inner Bradford Deanery)
Seconder: Thomas Berry (Aire and Worth Deanery)
Identity, geography and interests
First and foremost, I am a beloved child of God. I am also wife to Ian and mother to three
wonderful adult children.
I grew up in rural North Yorkshire and trained as a physiotherapist in Bradford. My work
has taken me to the northeast of England and to Romania, and I now live, once again, in
Bradford.
My three great passions are Jesus, people, and food. Any opportunity to bring these
together is my happy place. I also love walking, knitting, reading and swimming.
Faith journey
I was brought up in a Christian home and gave my life to Christ in my teens. Wherever I
have lived, I have been part of a worshipping community, including time resident in the
Mother House of the Northumbrian Community.
Church and community service
Since 2006, I have been part of St John’s Church, Bowling. During that time, I have
served on Diocesan Synod, Deanery Synod, and the PCC at various times. I have also had
the privilege of serving and ministering in many ways in the life of our beautifully
diverse and multicultural church. This has included developing and leading the
children’s ministry team for 16 years. I am now employed to coordinate the church’s
Food Pantry and community café, serving our local community.
Work and community experience
After my work as a physiotherapist, I also worked as a machinist in an outdoor clothing
factory, a teaching assistant in both primary and secondary schools and served as a
school governor. My husband and I run a residential letting business.
For nearly 10 years, I have shared the joys and sorrows of some of the refugees and
asylum seekers that arrive in our city and become part of our church family. Many have
‘adopted’ me as their English ‘Mama’.

Why stand for General Synod?
Over the decades that I have followed Christ, the Church has been where I have encountered
the loving kindness and mercy of God and where I know I belong to a huge and richly varied
family. As I have grown and matured in faith, I have developed a deep passion for the Church:
for its worship, people, and calling to manifest the love of Christ in the world. It is my belief
that local Parish churches can be the heart of the community they serve with the right support
and investment.
Developing a climate in churches where everyone feels safe, loved and included; all are
encouraged to reach their God given potential; where there is a unity of purpose, living out
God’s commission to see His Kingdom established on earth as it is in Heaven; and building
strong links between the community and the local church is my motivation to stand for election
to General Synod.
The areas of particular significance to me
If elected to General Synod, I would work to help churches become places where everyone feels
welcome and able to contribute—clergy and laity alike - regardless of race, culture, gender or
sexual identity. These have become divisive and there has been a lot of pain over many years,
for many people. While I hold to traditional Biblical teaching, I also recognise the profound
beliefs of those with different views to mine. I believe that we are all created in God’s image,
with distinctive gifts and valuable parts to play. I pray that grace may abound, wounds may be
healed and a way may be found to move forward together as one Body.
I come from a parish which serves a multicultural community in an area of significant social
deprivation. I am passionate about seeing the Church engage with those on the edges of
society. I would work to secure greater investment for local parish ministry and mission, sharing
the love, hope and peace found in Jesus in all local contexts.
I believe it is important to advocate on behalf of the youth and children of the Church, who
require support and investment to enable them to be discipled effectively in their local church,
that they may become disciples who then disciple others.
If elected I will
Be a diligent and prayerful, putting aside time to understand and seek God’s guidance on all
subjects brought to General Synod.
Be faithful in upholding the ultimate authority of Scripture.
Be proactive in being a voice for the marginalised and sometimes overlooked.
Finally
Thank you for reading this. I would be grateful if you would give me your first or highest
available preference vote.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
May God bless you abundantly as together we work to see His Kingdome come, to the glory of
His Name.

Helen Eskriett