General Synod Election Candidates 2026

About me
The Body of Christ
Rector of St Michael and St Mary,
Lichfield with St John, Wall
Rev’d Dr Abbie Walsh
Formerly an inner-city GP, I was ordained as a priest in 2019 and served my curacy in the Central
Wolverhampton team. I have been in my current post as Rector since 2022. My other roles include
Assistant Rural Dean of Lichfield, Vocations Advisor, member of the Property Management Group and
interim LGBT+ chaplain. I am also a member of the Diocesan Green Team. I am passionate about
mission in schools, creation care, collaborative working and encouraging lay and ordained vocation.
I was elected to General synod in a by-election in 2025. I have found the sessions to be challenging
and sometimes frustrating but I believe it is a place where the Holy Spirit is at work and real good can
be done. I feel called to stand again and continue to join in this work, if you re-elect me.

Although agreement between us sometimes feels far off, I am committed to unity and collaboration
with others. I enjoy and value my professional relationships and friendships with those with really
different views and traditions to my own. In my time so far on General Synod I have been committed
to building relationships with those I often disagree with, seeking to offer fellowship and to find
common ground where it is possible. If I were re-elected, I would hold myself to the highest standard
of compassion and vulnerability in discussions, and of prayer and careful consideration in voting at all
times.
P: 07395 500745 E: [email protected]
A: St Michael’s Rectory, St Michael Road, Lichfield, WS13 6SN.
Nominated by: Rev’d Graham Adamson, Vicar of Berkswich
Rev’d Lisa Knight, Vicar of Harlescott
I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and in all roles within the Church, regardless of
gender, disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, mental health or sexuality. I believe that the
Church can’t really be Christʼs body on earth unless we truly welcome and value all of Godʼs children
in Church and in the world. I support any action at General Synod to tackle racism, sexism,
homophobia and all discrimination and would call for repentance and honesty about our past failures
and real culture change, especially regarding our failure to prevent abuse and our failure to support
and believe survivors. I want us to work together to make sure our Churches really are safe and
welcoming communities for all.
I am affirming of LGBT+ people, their relationships and of supporting LGBT+ people in their vocation. I
support the full use of Prayers of Love and Faith. I believe that we have fallen short as a Church of our
calling to racial justice. The Church has much work still to do and I believe synod must continue to
support the recommendations of “From Lament to Action” and to ensure that our decision making
bodies and senior leadership reflect the diversity of the whole Church. I fully support the Church
Commissionersʼ Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice (“Project Spireˮ).

Supporting Local Churches
Helping Clergy to Thrive
Creation Care
I care deeply about the local church and the congregations and volunteers who make up the heart and
soul of the Church of England. I support General Synod to make decisions in a way that always
considers the effect on the work of our volunteers, seeking to empower them and free them to do the
work they are called to. I would seek to challenge us to find a fairer balance between resourcing new
projects and supporting the faithful and creative mission and ministry going on in the parishes we
already have, and especially to improve financial support for our poorest parishes. As Rector of a small
rural church I am committed to making sure rural parishes and ministry are not forgotten.
If I were elected to General Synod I would advocate for clergy wellbeing. I love being a parish priest
and I intend to keep loving it for another 25 years, if God wills it! But, at times that love feels quite
fragile, and it can seem hard to do a good job of being a parish priest.
Clergy need more opportunities for support and reflective practice, more emphasis on collaboration,
and relief from some of the administrative burdens we bear, so that we can truly thrive and be the
priests we were called to be.
Lots of us worry about our personal finances. I would advocate for a stipend that increases in line with
the cost of living, and firm assurances about our pensions and affordable housing options in
retirement.
I believe that creation care is an essential part of Christian ministry and a focus for unity both within the
Church and in building collaborative relationships with people and groups outside the Church,
particularly young people and schools.
If I were elected to General Synod I would advocate for bold action towards our ambitious goal of Net
Zero Carbon by 2030, with support for Churches to take action, and to courageously and creatively
use our Churchyards and Glebe Land to foster biodiversity.
Thank you for reading my address.
If you would like to discuss anything or ask me any questions
please do get in touch.
I would be very grateful for the highest preference vote you
feel able to give me, and for your prayers.

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