General Synod Election Candidates 2026

John Hobson
Member of Oldham Parish Church
Nominated by Joan Howard (Salford & Leigh Deanery)
Second by Paul Tyler (Oldham & Ashton Deanery)

Why I am standing for General Synod (House of Laity)
• I have been involved for over 22 years in parish
life in Manchester, serving as a PCC member and
previously as a churchwarden for 6 years [St
Clement’s, Chorlton, M21].
• In November 2025 I was elected to Synod by way
of a casual vacancy. Having now attended two
General Synods, I have learned a great deal about the commitment and
responsibility of elected membership, including feeding back to Diocesan and
Deanery Synods and personally.
• I have an understanding of the various traditions in the Anglican Church - I came
to faith as a child in an evangelical church but have long felt at home in a liberal-
catholic context. I consider myself to a good listener who seeks resolution where
possible by way of patient consensus-building.
• If re-elected to Synod I will endeavour to represent the Diocese as a lay-
mandated member to the best of my experience and ability, working with others
from Manchester who are elected.
Background
Resident of Oldham, aged 58. I was brought up in the evangelical Open Brethren
movement, baptised by full immersion aged 12 and absorbing the doctrines of the
‘Priesthood of all Believers’ and the ‘Breaking of Bread’.

In adulthood, I was theologically up-ended, struggling to reconcile life experiences with
faith alongside a growing political consciousness and sat on the margins of organised
church life for many years, if I attended church at all.
Having worked in Higher Education I re-trained as a legal-aid barrister, a commitment to
social justice having deepened and moved to Manchester for work in 2002. Like many, I
am privileged to work in a role that continually reminds me of the lived difficulties faced
by so many, working daily in frontline housing rights and the inquest/coronial system.

Upon being absorbed into parish life I eventually became a PCC member and then a
churchwarden. In 2016/2017 I volunteered with the Ecumenical Accompaniment
Programme for Palestine and Israel (World Council of Churches) residing in the

Member of Oldham Parish Church.
Nominated by Joan Howard (Salford & Leigh Deanery).
Seconded by Paul Tyler (Oldham & Ashton Deanery).

Northern West Bank, working alongside Israeli and Palestinian human rights’
organisations/communities on a daily basis.
I’m currently involved with Fairtrade activities and Taize services at Oldham Parish
Church. I also help to facilitate prayer and quiet spaces, such as at the Chorlton Beer
Festival and within the Greenbelt Festival.
General Synod
➢ I support the progress made by General Synod on all matters towards full
inclusion because it reflects the outlook and heart I believe the Church should
have. It matters pastorally within parish and community life and furthermore if
the Anglican Church is to speak credibly, both locally and nationally.
➢ I have been very encouraged by the Church’s leadership and focus regarding
Adult Social Care provision through the ‘Re-imagining Care’ report.
Momentum must not be lost and we must ensure that the Archbishop of
Canterbury and wider church leadership continue to be supported in speaking
into this crucial national conversation.
➢ I firmly believe that local parishes can be the site of real spiritual growth,
journeying, care, meaning and community. But parishes and clergy need to be
supported with resources that are fairly allocated. There are real questions and
meaningful discussions to be had about equitable distribution of resources as
translated into Diocesan outlook and parish life.
➢ I will continue to ensure that the concerns of the Palestinian Christian
community are raised in, moreover acted upon, by Synod. The worldwide Church
has a particular responsibility to speak prophetically about justice and peace for
a common future for all living in the land in which Jesus walked.
➢ I support the initiatives and decisions taken by General Synod towards
environmental sustainability and an ethical lens towards the Anglican
Church’s substantial financial and land/property resources.
➢ I believe that a strong voice from Manchester Diocese within General Synod is
as important as ever as our region gains further national prominence and as we
discern what the future voice and church presence here may look like.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Please consider voting
for me with your 1st preference, or otherwise with the highest
preference following a vote for another candidate.

If you have any questions in respect of my candidacy, please
do not hesitate to contact me via [email protected]

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