General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Tobias Threlfall-Holmes

Young, Ecumenical, Practical

Proposer: Sue Say, Holy Trinity Wavertree, Toxteth & Wavertree, Parish Safeguarding Officer
Seconder: Peter Dorling, St John the Baptist Burscough, Ormskirk, Diocesan Parish Share Review Group

I stand for a just and inclusive kingdom of God, bringing together the gifts we have been graciously granted for a better world.

I am 21 years old, resident in the Tsedaqah House community – based on the Hebrew word for our obligation to do justice: completing a year of service, study, and discernment with my placement in Liverpool Cathedral – I know I am called to a life of service, both to enable and enabled by the church, and I am called to serve you on General Synod.

YOUTH MINISTRY

We need a younger church, that can deliver the volunteers we need for revival, and reach out to people in the under 30s period when finding faith is most common – if young people are not supported in their faith, they will drift away from the church.

I live this by my office-side support for the Emerging Generations initiative, by Rev Bec, and monthly under 30s meetings that support faith and community.

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

Liverpool is one of the most deprived Dioceses, and reliant on LINC funding to survive, we must not allow economic inequality to be a barrier to participation in the life of the church – nationally nor locally.

I live this by my work with Micah Liverpool at St Bride's, a joint initiative with the Catholic and Anglican cathedrals to relieve Liverpool residents from social injustice and poverty.

POLICY INTEGRITY

The review and debate of policy is a key function of a General Synod representative. I first discovered my interest and eye for this when establishing Liverpool Maths Schools' Student Cabinet with staff in 2021 through 2023 – now The Sunday Time's 6th Form of the Year. In 2025, I applied this to volunteering with NHS social interest company Primary Care 24 – reviewing their policies and guidance, for changes to statutory guidance and legislation. In early 2026, I revived my parish's First Aid provision.

I live this by serving St Luke in the City Team Parish on PCC, and assisting the wardens with compliance and works, most recently working on Fire Safety.

Your vote matters – Voter turnout is only ~35% in Liverpool, you have great power to make a difference in your church – don't give up your chance.

PRAYERFUL DISCIPLESHIP, NOT DOGMA

Our Diocese is blessed with different ways of devoting ourselves to God. Following this year's interfaith walk, I meet with the local Lectio community at St. Vincent's catholic church, for Friday evenings full of prayer & community.

Luke 9, 49-50: "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you"

I am fully committed to the full inclusion of everyone, regardless of sex, economic power, tradition, ethnicity, gender identity, neurodiversity, or sexuality, because it is the right of God to decide who can be called and where.

LOCAL VOLUNTEERING

I volunteer my Saturdays for The Friends of St James' Garden; this picture is as I reveal text on the gravestones by the spring. Locals express how much they value this space of well-kept nature in the city. We must justly steward the whole world we have inherited in God's name.

DIOCESAN VOLUNTEERING

Due to my computational modelling for the Diocesan Synod Parish Share Review Group, they have been able to develop a just system of parish share for 2027, awaiting discussion with Deaneries:

Representative of your parish's capacity to contribute;
Simple and explainable;
Stable for budgeting.

These are what parishes requested, demonstrating I deliver on your objectives.

This will translate to synod, ensuring initiatives deliver where you need them, and are shaped by your local needs.

I am Young, Ecumenical, and Practical – and I call on you to use your vote, for inclusive and progressive ministry, with Tobias as your 1st vote, and Nadine Daniel and Warren Bohan as your 2nd and 3rd preferences. Regards, Tobias.

Please direct your queries to me through any of the channels listed:
12 Lady Chapel Close, L1 7BZ | WhatsApp: @TobiasTHolmes | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-t-holmes

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