creation care,curacy,disability,discrimination,equality,gender identity,inclusive,inclusive church,injustice,isolation,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,ordination,sexuality,young people

Election Address

The Revd Ann Lynes

London

House of Clergy

Full Election Address Text

ANN LYNES
Clergy Candidate for General Synod 2026
Proposed by Jonathan Kester (Vicar of St Peter’s Eaton Square; Area Dean of Camden, 2016-22)
Seconded by Richard Young (Mission Enabler for Willesden; Area Dean of Hillingdon, 2018-23)
Originally born and brought up in South London, I studied Applied Sport Sciences in
Edinburgh, before returning to London to begin a career as a Civil Servant. Later continuing
my studies in London with a graduate diploma in Psychology, I was intending to become a
psychologist, when I experienced a call to ordination.
Studying Theology in Oxford completed a wholistic jigsaw of body, mind and spirit, and this
breadth has given me a wonderfully integrated perspective of life and the Christian faith.
I have worked as a climbing instructor in a number of locations around the country and so am
not adverse to taking the odd, carefully calculated risk! In my quieter moments I enjoy all kinds
of sport, nature, music and the arts.
I was ordained in 2013 and served my Curacy in Barnes, before becoming the Vicar of Holy
Trinity Northwood in Northwest London in 2017. Since then, I have served as Area Dean of
Harrow and am currently Dean of Women’s Ministry for Willesden, and a member of the
Creation Care Steering Group for Willesden.
I would be honoured to receive
your vote
I am standing for General Synod to move from the
spectator side-lines to active participation in the
conversations and decisions shaping the future of our
Church.
I want to help build a Church that is inclusive, relevant,
courageous and hopeful—a Church where everyone
can find belonging, meaning, connection and purpose.
Lottie is often with me in church and also works as a Pets as
Therapy Dog in our adjacent Church of England Primary School,
where I am privileged to support staff and students in leading
collective worship and serving as Governor.
I am blessed with a canine
member of my household,
Lottie, who is part of my
church’s Pastoral Visiting
Team and joins our meetings.

MY PRIORITIES AT SYNOD
🌍 Put the climate crisis at the heart of our response
⚖️ Work for true gender equality across the Church
✊ Challenge racial injustice and discrimination
🏳️‍🌈 Stand firmly for a fully inclusive Church
🧠 Raise awareness of neurodiversity in all God‘s glorious variety
WHY VOTE FOR ME
Serving as a member of the Bishop of Willesden’s staff team for more than 5 years has
given me strategic experience and an in-depth understanding of the workings of the
Church of England at Area, Diocesan and National Church levels.
Being part of this team has reinforced the importance to me of collaborative team-work
at all levels of leadership and ministry. I understand both the pressures of parish life and
the possibilities afforded by our ecclesiastical structures. This working experience will help
me to quickly understand and navigate the procedures and processes of General Synod,
and enable me to collaborate well with others to make a difference.
It is a privilege to stand with lay and ordained colleagues on the
Inclusive Synod platform.
“I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church,
regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning
disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality."
I am an excellent orator, unafraid to name injustice where I see it and give
voice to the concerns of those who have no voice. I will not be a passive
observer and will always seek to make an active and positive contribution.
At a time of climate crisis, social change and increasing isolation, our Christian
communities have something distinctive to offer: meaningful community,
belonging, connection and purpose.
Young people are the future of Christ’s Church, and they deserve to encounter a
Church whose welcome reflects the love of Christ unequivocally —not one they
experience as sexist, racist or homophobic.

I believe God’s Spirit is prompting us towards positive change.
Please Vote
Ann Lynes
Inclusive Synod Candidate for the House of Clergy

Terms used in address

creation care,curacy,disability,discrimination,equality,gender identity,inclusive,inclusive church,injustice,isolation,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,ordination,sexuality,young people

Theological Tradition Terms

inclusive,inclusive church

Theological Tradition Sentences

I want to help build a Church that is inclusive, relevant, courageous and hopeful—a Church where everyone can find belonging, meaning, connection and purpose. ------ 🌍 Put the climate crisis at the heart of our response ⚖️ Work for true gender equality across the Church ✊ Challenge racial injustice and discrimination 🏳️‍🌈 Stand firmly for a fully inclusive Church 🧠 Raise awareness of neurodiversity in all God‘s glorious variety ------ It is a privilege to stand with lay and ordained colleagues on the Inclusive Synod platform. “I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality." I am an excellent orator, unafraid to name injustice where I see it and give voice to the concerns of those who have no voice. ------ Inclusive Synod Candidate for the House of Clergy

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gender identity,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

It is a privilege to stand with lay and ordained colleagues on the Inclusive Synod platform. “I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality." I am an excellent orator, unafraid to name injustice where I see it and give voice to the concerns of those who have no voice.

Safeguarding Terms

Safeguarding Sentences

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

Proposed by Jonathan Kester (Vicar of St Peter’s Eaton Square; Area Dean of Camden, 2016-22) Seconded by Richard Young (Mission Enabler for Willesden; Area Dean of Hillingdon, 2018-23) Originally born and brought up in South London, I studied Applied Sport Sciences in Edinburgh, before returning to London to begin a career as a Civil Servant.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

creation care,disability,discrimination,equality,injustice,isolation,mental health,neurodiversity

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

Since then, I have served as Area Dean of Harrow and am currently Dean of Women’s Ministry for Willesden, and a member of the Creation Care Steering Group for Willesden. ------ 🌍 Put the climate crisis at the heart of our response ⚖️ Work for true gender equality across the Church ✊ Challenge racial injustice and discrimination 🏳️‍🌈 Stand firmly for a fully inclusive Church 🧠 Raise awareness of neurodiversity in all God‘s glorious variety ------ It is a privilege to stand with lay and ordained colleagues on the Inclusive Synod platform. “I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality." I am an excellent orator, unafraid to name injustice where I see it and give voice to the concerns of those who have no voice. ------ At a time of climate crisis, social change and increasing isolation, our Christian communities have something distinctive to offer: meaningful community, belonging, connection and purpose.

Clergy Concerns Terms

curacy,isolation

Clergy Concerns Sentences

I was ordained in 2013 and served my Curacy in Barnes, before becoming the Vicar of Holy Trinity Northwood in Northwest London in 2017. ------ At a time of climate crisis, social change and increasing isolation, our Christian communities have something distinctive to offer: meaningful community, belonging, connection and purpose.

Church Structure & Policy Terms

ordination

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

Later continuing my studies in London with a graduate diploma in Psychology, I was intending to become a psychologist, when I experienced a call to ordination.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences

Young people are the future of Christ’s Church, and they deserve to encounter a Church whose welcome reflects the love of Christ unequivocally —not one they experience as sexist, racist or homophobic.