General Synod Election Candidates 2026

A BIT ABOUT ME
I live in Kettering with my husband
Will and our little elderly cat called
Tizzy. I work for the Diocese of
Peterborough as Parish Support
Worker for Children and Youth.
I am 28 and have worshipped in the
Church of England all my life, first in
an Anglo-Catholic parish in Rutland
and, for the past fourteen years, in a
charismatic evangelical church in
Kettering. I have served across all ages
in church life, and have been part of
sung worship leadership, preaching,
leading a Bible Study, PCC, Deanery
Synod and Diocesan Synod. I was also
a ministry intern and hold a first-class
degree in Theology and Worship.

THE LOCAL PARISH
I think the parish remains one of the
Church of England's greatest
strengths. Through my work with
churches across our diocese, I see first-
hand the commitment of clergy,
volunteers, PCC members and church
leaders who faithfully serve their
communities week after week. I want
to bring their experiences, challenges
and hopes into the conversations and
decisions of General Synod.

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
My professional life is dedicated to
supporting churches in their ministry
with children, young people and
families. In my late twenties, I also
belong to a generation that can
sometimes feel conspicuously absent
from parish life. Young people are not
just the future of the Church; they are
an essential part of its present. I want
to champion their voices within the life
of the Church and help local churches
support them to flourish in faith. As
part of my role, and through time
spent working in schools, I care deeply
about safeguarding and support the
Church's continuing work to
strengthen safeguarding and
independent oversight.

INCLUSION & BELONGING
The example of Jesus sits at the heart
of my faith. Again and again, we see
Jesus reaching out to people on the
margins, welcoming those who were
excluded and challenging those who
drew boundaries around God's love. As
Paul writes, we are ‘all one in Christ
Jesus' (Galatians 3:28). I believe that
every person is made in the image of
God and is worthy of dignity, welcome
and belonging, regardless of disability,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity,
neurodiversity, economic background
or sexuality. I support equality and
belonging at every level of Church life,
and I will continue to advocate for the
full inclusion and flourishing of
LGBT+ people in our churches,
leadership and decision-making.
Email: [email protected]
CORINNE STEFANOWICZ
House of Laity Candidate for Peterborough Diocese

HOPE FOR THE CHURCH
I love the Church of England and
believe passionately in its future.
Across our diocese I see evidence every
day that God is still at work: in local
churches, in young people, in
volunteers, in worshipping
communities, in acts of service and
generosity. I believe the Church of
England is at its best when it reflects
the unconditional love and welcome of
Jesus. Yet we know the Church has not
always reflected that love as it should.
Among my own friends and family are
people who have turned away from
faith because they could not reconcile
the message of God's love with
experiences of exclusion, abuse,
judgement and rejection within the
Church. If elected, I want to use my
voice to help shape a Church of
England where more people can
encounter the amazing love of God
without conditions.

WORKING TOGETHER
ACROSS OUR DIFFERENCES
The Church of England encompasses
many traditions, perspectives and
convictions. I hold strong views, but I
also believe we serve the same Lord.
Our shared faith is far greater than the
issues that divide us, and our common
mission matters deeply. I am
committed to listening well, speaking
graciously and working constructively
with those who disagree with me. I
want to help build a Church that
remains united even when it is not
uniform.

CARING FOR CREATION
I believe caring for creation is an
essential part of Christian discipleship.
I want to see the Church continue
responding positively and practically
to the climate crisis, supporting
parishes as they care for creation and
ensuring our environmental
commitments lead to meaningful
action for future generations and
communities.

WHAT WOULD I BRING TO
GENERAL SYNOD?
• Professional experience supporting
churches across Peterborough Diocese
in ministry with children, young
people and families.
• Strong theological and safeguarding
training alongside practical experience
of parish, deanery and diocesan
governance and ministry.
• A younger voice, bringing the
perspective of those too often missing
from Church decision-making.
• Experience of engaging with schools,
communities as well as those who feel
disconnected from church life.
• Confidence as a listener, theologian
and public speaker, committed to
seeking unity even where there is
disagreement.

I HAVE BEEN NOMINATED BY
Brian Bell, St John’s & St Luke’s,
Peterborough Deanery.
AND SECONDED BY
Ann Hussey, All Saints,
Kettering Deanery.
CORINNE STEFANOWICZ
House of Laity Candidate for Peterborough Diocese

Email: [email protected]

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