General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd. Canon Kate Wharton
St. Bart’s Vicarage, 11 Church Road,
Roby, Liverpool, L36 9TL
0151 4891698, 07957 247581
[email protected]
feel free to contact me to discuss my election address

 Currents posts:
Vicar of St. Bart’s Church, Roby
Governor of Huyton with Roby CE Primary School
Trustee of St. Mellitus College
Trustee of Single Friendly Church Network
New Wine Ambassador

 Recent experience & responsibilities:
Member of Bishop’s Council (2010-2022 & 2024-present)
Member of Diocesan Synod (since 2009)
Regular speaker at various Christian conferences and events, both in England and overseas
Regular contributor on Radio Merseyside and UCB Radio
Regular writer of articles for a variety of Christian publications
Author of ‘Single Minded’ (published June 2013)
Contributing author to ‘Awesome Voices’ (published November 2013), ‘7 Reasons Your Church
Needs More Men’ (published October 2018), and ‘Healthy Faith’ (published May 2020)

 Previously:
Assistant National Leader of New Wine (2016-2022)
Member of the Leadership Council for Together for the Harvest (2016-2019)
Member of General Synod (2015-2026)
Area Dean of Liverpool North Deanery (2013-2017)
Chair of Governors of The Beacon CE Primary School (2009-2017)
Vicar of St. George’s Everton (2009-2017)
Member of Chaplaincy team working among D/deaf people in Liverpool Diocese (2005-2013)
Governor of Archbishop Blanch CE School (2005-2010)
Assistant Curate at St Luke’s West Derby (2005-2009)

 Other stuff:
I enjoy cinema, theatre, crafts, travelling, photography, swimming, cosy pubs, and spending time
with my 5 lovely godchildren. I am a volunteer for Safe Families and love supporting families through
their wonderful work.

 Why General Synod? Why now? Why me?
 I’ve been a member of General Synod for the past 11 years. I’ve really enjoyed (most of) it, and
learnt a lot. I’ve made a number of speeches on a wide variety of subjects such as estates
evangelism, looked after children, and mental health. I’m passionate about the Church of
England – its missional opportunities, its parish system, its rich history, and yes, even its
complex and sometimes unwieldy structures! General Synod is by no means a perfect
institution. But, it is the one we’ve got, and at its best, it enables us to have good
conversations and make good decisions, while building good relationships. I know how it
works, after 11 years of engagement and involvement. I’d love the opportunity to build on that
knowledge and experience by being elected for another term.

 For the past 5 years I have served as ‘Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of
York’ (quite the title!) – essentially, Chair of the House of Clergy in the northern province. I
alternate the Chair of the whole House of Clergy annually with the Prolocutor of Canterbury.
As part of that role, I am a trustee of the Archbishops’ Council, and sit on multiple other
committees including the Rule Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Standing Orders
Committee, the Business Committee, and more. I chaired the Steering Committee for the
Clergy Conduct Measure, which will soon replace the Clergy Discipline Measure – and is a
great improvement upon it. I am currently Co-Chair of the Gender Justice Scoping Group. I
have been part of working groups on Trust and Governance Reform. I was part of the LLF
Programme Board. I have worked alongside Luke, the Prolocutor of Canterbury, on a revision
of the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy.

 Areas of interest:
 Mission and evangelism
 As disciples of Jesus, we’re called to share the good news with all people. It’s
important that Synod encourages and prioritises this in all forms.
 Urban ministry
 I have served for 21 years in urban parishes across the diocese, and am committed to
ensuring that voices and stories from our most deprived communities are heard.
 Working with and among disabled and D/deaf people
 I have Level 3 BSL and have worked and ministered with and among disabled people. I
am committed to supporting and championing this ministry, and to working for greater
inclusion.
 Environmental issues
 We are facing a climate catastrophe in our country and across the world, and as the
Church, we need to wrestle with what our response to this should be, and take action
wherever we can.
 Singleness/Relationships/Sexuality
 I’m single, and have spoken and written at length on the subject. I hold the ‘historic’
view of marriage, and remain totally committed to ongoing dialogue with those of
different viewpoints. Post-LLF, we need to find a way forward together as a Church.
 Children and young people
 I came to know Jesus at the age of 12, and am passionately committed to relevant and
creative ministry to under 18s.
 Safeguarding
 We’re currently facing big questions about the delivery and scrutiny of safeguarding at
all levels in the Church. We need to improve our structures, to support and listen to
victims and survivors, and to be trauma informed in our practices.
 Mental health
 I am an accredited Mental Health First Aider (Level 3) and believe passionately that we
need a broader, deeper, more honest conversation about mental health across the
whole Church.
 Vocations
 We have a crisis of vocations, as far more clergy are currently retiring than are being
ordained. We urgently need to address this prayerfully and creatively.
 Clergy wellbeing
 I think this should be an area of great concern for us all. Clergy wellbeing across the
board is not good, and it must be addressed at all levels.

Proposer: Revd. Phil Saltmarsh, Rector, Christ our Light Liverpool
Seconder: Revd. Jonty Forster, Associate Minister, Penny Lane Church

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