General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Information:
• Retired Bank Manager
• Home: Horncastle, Lincolnshire
• Family: Married with three Gen Z children aged 27 (IT Support at the
local Grammar School, 25 (Practice Nurse) and 19 (Working for a
wholesaler)
• Church: Langton with Old Woodhall and Woodhall Spa
• Roles Held – Secretary & Treasurer for over 40 years, Churchwarden in
two Churches, Lay Co Lead in East Lindsey Deanery Mission Partnership,
Director of Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education, Trustee and Chair of
Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance (Chair of Investments and
Finance Committees), Charity Trustee on various Grant Giving Bodies,
School Governor for over 20 years – Chair at three C of E Primary Schools
and a Grammar School with responsibilities to support other schools
with Governance. Member of Diocesan Synod. Trustee of Local foodbank

I would like to be re-elected to General Synod as one of The Lincoln Diocesan
Lay Representatives as I want to ensure that the Church remains inclusive and
relevant for all. My faith is important to me and it shapes how I live my life.
My own children, who all remain locally, have been brought up in the Church
but only one is currently a regular attender. My sons struggle to see how
relevant the Church is today and whilst not against the Church, they believe it
needs to keep up with a modern 21st Century Country. I don’t disagree with
them. It needs to be there for all and not the few.
Paul Brewster

[email protected]
Proposed by Mrs Alison Warrick
Seconded by Canon Nicolete Fisher

My Life experience has seen me working in the Finance industry for 35 years,
latterly as a Bank Manager leading a team of 35 across the East Midlands and
South Yorkshire. I worked in a number of local branches before finishing my
career based out of Nottingham. I managed some challenging characters along
the way, but I hope they would say that I was compassionate and caring, whilst
remaining professional and driven. I completed my Banking qualification
(Placed 17th out 778) and worked my way through the ranks. Alongside my
career I have long been a Church attender and as time allowed, I expanded my
involvement and now hold a licence to lead services. I have led the Benefice
through two vacancies and have been important in working towards the Parish
Profile and ensuring that Governance remains robust. I am a known face, both
at Church and in the Local community.

I was elected to General Synod for a casual vacancy in 2025 and having
attended two sessions of the last set, I feel that I now have an understanding of
how synod works and over the next five years will be able to contribute fully as
a more experienced member. Since that time I have also been appointed as
Chair of the Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance and believe that offers
me a greater insight into the operation of the Church of England as a whole,
but also, as a Synod member, I can bring a lot back to the Diocese in my Role as
Chair.

I feel drawn towards General Synod as I believe that I have a lot to offer:
• Finance experience and a clear understand of Financial Accounts
• Sustainability and the need to be a good Trustee of our assets to hand
onto the next generation
• A broad-Church experience which allows me to respect others
perspectives whilst sharing my own views with compassion and
understanding
• A listening ear
• An outward perspective, knowing that change is fertile ground and that
an ability to lead and support change ensures growth for the future.
• A good knowledge of sustainability and the needs of the World to
protect Creation

• A broad range of friends and contacts who help to shape my views on all
aspects of life.
• A willingness and ability to lead.
• An understanding of the need to compromise

I should be grateful if you would consider giving me your vote.
If you need further information before deciding, then please do
contact me on [email protected]

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