General Synod Election Candidates 2026

I was elected to General Synod in a by-election in February 2024, and
it has been an honour to represent the Diocese of Leeds.
[email protected]
Member of General Synod
(2024 - 2026)
Member of the Vacancy in See
Committee for the appointment
of the Bishop of Leeds
Member of Diocesan and
Deanery Synods
Member of All Saints’, Ilkley PCC
Joint co-ordinator of Leeds
Diocese Together for the Church
of England group
Foundation & Safeguarding
School Governor (since 2019)
Member of my parish church
environmental group
Supporter of Prayers of Love &
Faith for same-sex couples
Advocate for equality, inclusion,
Fairtrade and the environment
Volunteer English teacher with
local Ukrainian support group
Former Modern languages teacher
Resident of Ilkley, West Yorkshire,
for 30 years
I have always enjoyed working with children and young people and led
the Explorers group at church for several years. Since 2019, I have been a
Foundation and Safeguarding Governor of our local Church of England
primary school.
This has been a valuable opportunity to support the school’s Christian
vision and values and to develop my experience of governance,
safeguarding and public service.
S e r v i c e A t A l l S a i n t s ’ P a r i s h C h u r c h
a n d P r i m a r y S c h o o l , I l k l e y
I am married with four adult children and am a former Modern
Languages teacher. Originally from Scotland, I studied at the Church
of England University College in Ripon, North Yorkshire and have
lived in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, for the past 30 years.
I have been an active member of All Saints’ Parish Church, Ilkley, since 1999.
I love living in Yorkshire, and it would be a privilege to continue serving
our diverse urban and rural region as a member of General Synod.
M Y B A C K G R O U N D
Judith
Osborne
STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION TO GENERAL SYNOD
Nominated by
Canon Professor Joyce Hill,
General Synod Member 2015-2026, East Leeds Deanery
Seconded by
Dr Andrew Wilson,
South Craven & Wharfedale Deanery
P r e v i o u s E x p e r i e n c e o n G e n e r a l S y n o d : 2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 6
As a member of General Synod, I also serve on Diocesan Synod,
Deanery Synod and my PCC. I prioritise attendance and provide reports
so that my parish and deanery remain informed about Synod’s work.
I am a grassroots parishioner. While national decisions matter,
they must lead to positive change in our local churches and communities.
Our parish churches should be hubs of welcome, safety and belonging,
where people meet one another and encounter God.
I am a passionate advocate of Fairtrade. Following the Leeds Diocesan
Motion in October 2024, I led my parish’s recommitment as a Fairtrade
Place of Worship and supported similar work in my school
as Foundation Governor.
I have also volunteered for four years with a Ukrainian Support Group at
my church, teaching English. I enjoy walking my dog, playing tennis
and re-learning the piano after 45 years!
S e r v i n g t h e l o c a l c h u r c h & c o m m u n i t y
I n b r i e f. . .

Joining mid-quinquennium required rapid learning. I have gained experience
of listening to different perspectives, understanding Synod’s processes,
contributing to debates, making my first speech and asking questions on
key issues. I now have a strong foundation for a full five-year term.
My voting record on motions relating to safeguarding, the environment and
sexuality is available for the electorate to consider.
The last five years have seen significant progress, including strengthened safeguarding,
Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples, action towards Net Zero Carbon
by 2030, greater recognition of neurodiversity and support for social justice and those in need.
These are important steps forward, but much remains to be done to realise our vision for a
“simpler, humbler, bolder, younger, more diverse and unified” Church of England.
In a fragmented society, the Church must be a beacon of hope. The next Synod must build on this
progress, addressing climate change, social justice, equality, safeguarding, mission and growth,
ensuring that national decisions strengthen the life of our local churches and communities.
T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d : P r o g r e s s a n d C h a l l e n g e s A h e a d
My professional and voluntary experience, together with two and
a half years on General Synod, have prepared me to contribute
effectively to its work.
My Christian faith is central to my life and membership of General
Synod enables me to serve both locally and nationally. I believe in
careful listening, respectful engagement and thoughtful debate.
As the Church faces important decisions, I feel called to
continue serving the Diocese of Leeds on General Synod.
W h y I A m S ta n d i n g F o r R e - e l e c t i o n t o G e n e r a l S y n o d
I have been a committed member of General Synod, listening and responding to clergy and laity
across the Diocese. If I am re-elected, I will continue to listen, engage and serve prayerfully.
I would like to thank Canon Professor Joyce Hill, my proposer, for her kind words in support of
my re-election:
“Judith has been a very active member of General Synod and an invaluable member of the Leeds team
“Judith has been a very active member of General Synod and an invaluable member of the Leeds team
since joining it in 2024. If she is re-elected, as I very much hope, her already proven insight,
since joining it in 2024. If she is re-elected, as I very much hope, her already proven insight,
experience and generous commitment will be a great benefit to the diocese and the church more widely.”
experience and generous commitment will be a great benefit to the diocese and the church more widely.”
I would be grateful for your first-preference vote.
first-preference vote.
If you are unable to give that, please rank me as highly as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read my election address.
I would be delighted to hear from you if you have any questions.
I believe that the Church of England is for everyone. God’s love is for all and our churches
should be places where all are valued and affirmed as made in the image of God.
I fully support the Inclusive Church statement:
“We are committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability,
“We are 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.”
economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.”
E q u a l i t y & I n c l u s i o n
F i n a l R e m a r k s
S u p p o r t i n g S tat e m e n t
Malham cove, Yorkshire

climate change,disability,environment,environmental,equality,gender identity,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,mental health,mission,net zero,neurodiversity,pcc,prayers of love and faith,safeguarding,same sex,same-sex couples,sexuality,social justice,vacancy,young people