General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address

A Different Voice. A Faithful Voice. A Voice for the Whole Church.
Why I am standing
I am standing for General Synod because I believe I can offer something distinctive to the life
and future of the Church of England. As a priest from the global majority, shaped by different
Christian traditions, parish ministry and leadership beyond the Church, I bring perspectives
formed by a wide range of people, cultures and experiences. My hope is not simply to represent
those perspectives, but to help the whole Church hear voices and see possibilities that are
sometimes overlooked.
Rooted in Christ and in parish life
Prayer, Scripture, the Holy Spirit and the mission of Christ are the foundation of my ministry.
Serving across two parishes has given me a deep understanding of the joys and challenges of
parish life, and of the importance of creating communities where people encounter God and
grow in faith.
During my curacy, monthly prayer ministry, healing services, Café Church and Blue Christmas
were established across both parishes, creating spaces for prayer, fellowship and outreach.
One of the greatest privileges of ministry has been seeing people discover gifts they did not
know they had – stepping into preaching, prayer ministry, healing ministry and vocational
discernment. I believe the Church flourishes when we equip and release people for ministry.
A Church present in its communities
Mission is relational. My ministry has included engagement with schools, Scouts, toddler
groups, Memory Café, food bank, Mencap and other community initiatives. Black History
Month events created opportunities for people to explore faith, heritage and identity together.
These experiences remind me that people need to know the Church sees them, values them
and is willing to walk alongside them while confidently sharing the hope we have in Christ.
A wider perspective
Coming from the global majority has given me a deep appreciation of the richness diversity
brings to the Church, and of the work still needed to ensure that diversity is reflected in
leadership and decision making. Different cultures bring different ways of understanding
community, faith and service; listening to these perspectives enriches us all.
My journey through different Christian traditions has taught me that conviction and listening
can sit together. Unity does not require uniformity; it requires Christ at the centre and grace in
our conversations.
Leadership that serves

Years of leadership outside the Church have added another dimension to my understanding of
service. Managing people and change, establishing a customer service department during
COVID-19, and coordinating complex operational work have taught me the value of clear
communication, collaboration, resilience and practical problem solving.
These lessons have proved invaluable in ministry. Leadership is not simply about having good
ideas; it is about listening, bringing people with you, taking responsibility and turning vision into
reality. This is the approach I would bring to General Synod.
What I hope to contribute
General Synod carries significant responsibility for the life and future of our Church. It needs
people who can listen carefully to the realities of parish life, speak with conviction when
necessary, engage constructively with those who hold different views, and keep sight of the
Church’s calling.
The contribution I hope to make is one of:
• Faithfulness – rooted in Scripture, prayer and the person of Jesus Christ, open to the work
of the Holy Spirit.
• Listening – ensuring that the experiences of people and communities, including those
whose voices are less often heard, shape our conversations.
• Mission – keeping before us the call to make disciples, serve our communities and share
the good news of Jesus.
• Unity – recognising the Church as the Body of Christ, with many parts, traditions, gifts and
perspectives.
• Constructive leadership – bringing experience of people, organisations and change,
seeking solutions rather than simply identifying problems.
A different voice
The Church of England is navigating significant change, opportunity and challenge. At such a
time, we need voices that are faithful but not fearful; confident yet willing to listen; rooted in
parish life yet able to see the bigger picture.
A global-majority perspective can contribute to that conversation. So can experience of parish
ministry, pastoral care, community engagement, spiritual formation and leadership beyond the
Church.
If elected, I would seek to listen well, speak honestly, work constructively and keep Christ at
the centre – offering a different voice for the good of the whole Church.
By Revd Winifred Kuta-Dankwa

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